We are unique because we provide learning experiences to students that emphasize our Catholic beliefs and values. You can feel and witness our Catholic identity when you walk into one of our schools or speak to our staff and students. Our distinctiveness is reflected in tangible ways through liturgies, religious images and social justice activities. It is also reflected in less obvious ways, through how our faith is lived in all interactions within our schools and in the community.

Religious Education

• Religious Education (Grades 1-8): The Religious Education curriculum aims to grow students' knowledge and understanding of faith, their religious literacy, critical thinking, and discernment. It helps develop essential skills for continuous lifelong spiritual growth and the courage to live out their faith in daily life. Check out the Institute for Catholic Graduate Education’s Catholic School Graduate Expectations and the Growing In Faith, Growing In Christ programme.

• Fully Alive Family Life Education Programme (Grades 2-8 Only): Fully Alive is a Family Life Education programme designed to complement the efforts of families in building a distinctively Catholic view of human life, sexuality, marriage, and family. Its goal is to guide children toward a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships. As the Fully Alive Family Life Education programme is replaced by the newly developed Blessed & Beloved programme (see below), Fully Alive remains in place only for Grades Two through Eight. Learn more about the Institute for Catholic Education’s Family Life Education curriculum and the Fully Alive Programme.
• Early-Learning Kindergarten Programme: With its play-based approach and child-centred activities to celebrate the wonder of childhood, learning to understand it as a reflection of God’s love. Discover more about the Kindergarten Curriculum and the Growing In Faith, Growing In Christ - Kindergarten programme.

• Blessed & Beloved Family Life Education Programme: Approved by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, this new initiative is set to replace the Fully Alive programme. For the 2024-2025 school year, it will only be available for Grade One, but it will gradually be introduced to higher grades over the next several school years. This includes Grades Two and Three, starting in September for the 2025-2026 school year. The programme focusses on the holistic development of students in Catholic schools by integrating faith and reason. It aims to help students understand what it means to be human, the importance of loving relationships, and their vocation in life. Offering age-appropriate lessons on human life, sexuality, marriage, and family, the Blessed & Beloved programme offers a well-rounded Catholic perspective on these critical issues in a loving and meaningful manner. For more details, check out the Blessed & Beloved FAQ.

Chaplaincy Leader
To provide for the spiritual, moral, ethical and pastoral care of the school community and to promote Catholic values within the school. i.e., prayer, worship, sacraments, crisis response, justice and peace, and retreats.

Social Justice
Schools engage in acts of charity and social justice projects throughout the year to respond to our mission as followers of Jesus in light of the Catholic social teachings.

Chapels
In our secondary schools and many of our elementary schools, is a unique sacred space for students to gather for worship, prayer and reflection. The chapel is one of the ways that promote a life of prayer, a quiet space, where liturgy is celebrated, or gathering as a class or school community.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

Retreats

• compliments the extensive tradition of Catholic spirituality 
• to enhance young people's spirituality and personal growth that are different, but complementary, to the classroom context
• experience a closeness to be with God and importance of faith in their daily lives

Supporting Sacraments
Schools provide initial preparation of the sacraments which involves an ongoing education in the sacramental life of the Church, including teaching the content around sacrament in the religious education programs. The sacramental preparation of children in Grade 2 and 7 is a collaborative effort between parish and schools.

Ontario Institute of Catholic Education

• Work with and assist Catholic organizations that have responsibilities to support curriculum, professional learning, research/renewal efforts, and generally to promote and protect Catholic education