Student Services

Rainbow Schools at a Glance

Info for Secondary Students

Surf this page and explore the many programs, services and extracurricular activities available in our secondary schools.

The Academic Zone

In this section, you’ll learn all about our alternative education and specialized programs in English and French Immersion.  As well, you will find information about graduation documents, including the Ontario Secondary School Certificate, the Ontario Secondary School Certificate of Achievement and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Alternative Education:

Alta Centre Secondary
The Alta Centre is an alternative program for secondary school students, aged 14 to 16, who are having difficulty succeeding in the regular school setting.  Its ultimate goal is to enable students to develop the skills that will allow them to reintegrate into their home school to complete their studies.  To learn more, please call 705-674-1221.

Continuing Education
Rainbow District School Board offers free credit courses to any students over 20 years of age and older who have been out of high school for at least one semester.  Students enrolled in Night School or Adult Education can earn two high school credits in approximately six weeks.  Please call 705-675-5481 for details.

Learning to 18
Offered at Cambrian College, the Learning to 18 alternative program is for students, aged 16 to 18, who have difficulty succeeding in a traditional school setting.  Students benefit from small classes and individualized curriculum in a more intimate setting.  This program encourages students to stay in school or find viable employment.  For further information, please call 705-674-1221.

Reconnect Program
The Rainbow District School Board’s Reconnect Program gives students who are short of secondary school credits an opportunity to reconnect to school and open doors for their future.  Learn more by calling 705-688-0888.

Specialized Programs:

Arts Education Program
Sudbury Secondary School’s extensive Arts Education Program allows students to study drama, visual arts, film studies, vocal music, instrumental music and dance.  Students in this program also learn to build important life skills including self-confidence, discipline and teamwork.  To learn more, please call 705-674-7551.

Bilingual Trades Program
The Bilingual Trades Program at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School is designed to meet the increasing demand for trades education in a bilingual environment.  This program prepares students for college, training programs, apprenticeships and the workforce.  For further details, please contact Chelmsford Valley District Composite School at 705-855-4594.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)
This internationally recognized two-year comprehensive program encourages critical thinking and research skills and promotes service as part of the learning process.  The IB program is available at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School to all students who have the required commitment, ability, interest and time to devote to the program.  Please call 705-522-2320 to find out more.

School of Integrated Technology
Located at Lively District Secondary School, this program offers enriched and specialized four-year and two-year programs combining science, mathematics, computer science and technology.  Learn more by calling 705-692-3671.

Science Technology Education Program (STEP)
Lockerby Composite School’s Science Technology Education Program (STEP) is designed for students with an interest in business, science, health, medicine or engineering.  With a focus on math, science and technology, STEP keeps pace with the latest trends in science and technology through its laptop learning, tele-robotics, genetics and forensics components.  For more information, please call 705-522-1750.

Please Note: Busing to Rainbow District School Board’s five specialized secondary school programs is offered to students within Greater Sudbury.

Graduation Documents:

Certificate of Accomplishment
Students who leave school before fulfilling the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma or the Ontario Secondary School Certificate may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment.  The Certificate of Accomplishment may be useful means of recognizing achievement for students who plan to take certain kinds of further training or who plan to find employment after leaving school.

Ontario Secondary School Certificate
The Ontario Secondary School Certificate is granted, upon request, to students who leave school without earning an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, but having earned a minimum of 14 credits (7 compulsory, 7 optional).

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is based on a credit system.  Secondary students must earn a total of 30 credits in order to graduate with an OSSD.  Eighteen of the credits are compulsory.  The remaining 12 credits are optional.   In addition to the compulsory/optional credits, students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities as well as the provincial literacy requirement.

Students First!

Read Students First! and find out how our programs and services can help you build character, develop self-confidence and achieve success.

Co-operative Education
In the Co-operative Education program secondary students divide their time between the school and the workplace, spending at least half the day with an employer in the community.  Co-operative education prepares students for the challenges of tomorrow and enables employers to help develop the workforce of the future.

Guidance and Career Education
Guidance and Career Education help students relate what they learn in school to the community, understand and value education, recognize the available learning opportunities, make choices from among those opportunities and adapt to life’s changing circumstances.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
This program gives students in Grades 11 and 12 an opportunity to begin a career in a skilled trade while attending secondary school.  The program is designed to introduce students to a career path that will lead to a skilled trade, provide an opportunity to develop trade related competencies and encourage an early start to a well-paid and satisfying career.

School Councils
Made up of parents, educators and community members, School Councils serve in an advisory capacity to the school Principal and the Board to promote continued excellence in education, placing the overall interest of students first.

School Libraries
School libraries provide students with a collection of learning and leisure resources in print and electronic form.  Students in Rainbow Schools also have access to the Internet and other online databases at their local secondary school.

Special Education
Special Education programs and services ensure that every exceptional student is provided with the most inclusive environment, enabling the student to fulfill his/her potential.

Making Your Mark
Explore this section and find many fun and exciting ways to get involved in Rainbow Schools.

School Councils provide secondary students with a unique opportunity to participate on a school-wide forum.  Each Rainbow School selects one or more students to represent the interests of all students in the school.  Student representatives are encouraged to attend School Council meetings, events and activities, voice the opinions of their peers and provide input to their Principal and to the Board on matters affecting education.

Student Councils, also known as the student government or the student body, are unique to each Rainbow School and are made up of elected students who hold executive positions, including president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Student Council members may vary from year-to-year.  During the school year, members plan a broad range of student activities, organize student and school fundraising initiatives, and sometimes oversee student clubs, committees and associations.

Student Trustees are student representatives on the Board of trustees.  Each year, the Rainbow District School Board appoints two student trustees who voice their opinions and express their views in decisions about education.  Student trustees are expected to attend regular Board meetings and represent the interests of all secondary students in Rainbow Schools.

Want to know more about School Councils, Student Councils or Student Trustees?  Please call the Board Office at  705-674-3171.