REGISTRATION AND ADMISSION PROCESS
For Sacred Heart Catholic School Guelph
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) World School
For families of new Kindergarten students starting September 2025, you can begin registration in January 2025. If you have any questions, please contact our secretary, Ms. Lewin at [email protected]
For a brief explanation of the IB programme, the benefits for students of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and for registration information, please contact Natasha Finoro at [email protected].
Sacred Heart Catholic School is an accredited IB World School and is one of a handful of publicly funded schools in Ontario to run the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP is an inclusive program. All students and classes in our school are part of the PYP, from Kindergarten to Grade 6 and we follow the same framework and philosophy for Grades 7 and 8.
Registration Forms
The registration form and supporting documentation can be submitted online and can be accessed through the Wellington Catholic District School Board website. Please note that the registration forms and documents required are the same for all grades.
Space in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is limited, and at times there is a waitlist for specific grades. Consideration is NOT prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis. Should capacity be reached, students in the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary are redirected to Holy Rosary Catholic School, which does not offer the IB PYP.
Which School Boundary Am I In?
Go to www.findmyschool.ca
For families in which the registering student or a parent are not baptized Roman Catholic, an interview with the principal is required as part of the registration process. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information
School Boundaries
With the implementation of the IB Primary Years Programme, the boundary of Sacred Heart Catholic School has been extended to all students of the Wellington Catholic District School Board. Click on this link to enter your address and find out if you are in our boundary. Please be aware that students who live outside our boundary are not be eligible for bus transportation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will transportation be available for students outside the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary?
No. Transportation is not available to students who reside outside the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary. Transportation to and from Sacred Heart Guelph for students outside the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Is before/after school care available?
Yes. Limited space is available for before and after school care for students at Sacred Heart Guelph. Information about the before/after school program is available on request.
Are class sizes smaller because of the IB Primary Years Programme?
No. Class sizes follow Ministry of Education requirements.
How does the French program work?
Students start Core French in Kindergarten. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 receive 125 minutes of French instruction per week. From Grades 4-8, students receive the provincially mandated 200 minutes per week. In the primary grades, the focus is on oral French - listening and speaking.
What if we live in the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary and miss the deadline?
All interested families should register as soon as possible. If spaces are available, families will be able to register students. Should capacity be reached, students in the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary registered after the deadline will be redirected to Holy Rosary Catholic School, which does not offer IB. Transportation will be available according to the eligibility criteria in the Pupil Transportation Policy (R.BSS.E.1)
Can a student with no experience in the IB PYP attend the IB Diploma Programme at Bishop Macdonell when they reach secondary school?
Yes. The PYP is not a prerequisite for the IB Diploma Programme so there is no need for a student to attend the PYP in order to attend the Diploma Programme in secondary school. Families can contact Bishop Macdonell for information regarding the Diploma Programme.
What if we are not Catholic?
The process for admission of students is outlined in section 2.4 of the Admission of Students to Wellington Catholic Policy/Regulation R.SMW.B.1. An interview with the Principal, Ms. Nadalin is required. Please e-mail, [email protected] to make arrangements.
What if we live in the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary and do not want our child to participate in the IB PYP at Sacred Heart?
Those families who live in the Sacred Heart boundary and would prefer that their child attend a traditional program have the option to attend Holy Rosary Catholic School.
Do we need to complete an out of boundary request form if we do not reside within the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary?
No. IB PYP is a district program so students registering in the IB PYP residing outside the Sacred Heart Guelph boundary do not need to complete an out of boundary request form.
We require support with the registration process. Is there anyone that can assist?
Yes! Please ask for assistance from our school secretary, Ms. Lewin at the school, call 519-824-2751 or e-mail [email protected]
Is there any information available online regarding IB PYP?
Yes. For information specific to our school, please visit our pages IB PYP and About. For general information about the IB Primary Years Programme, please visit https://ibo.org/programmes/primary-years-programme/www.ibo.org
What if we still have questions about the Primary Years Programme? Is there anyone that can help us?
Yes. Please call the school at 519-824-2751 or email our IB Resource Teacher, Ms. Finoro at [email protected]