Expulsion Program

WRDSB’s Choices for Youth Program has been designed using a restorative practices-based approach to meet the needs of students who have been fully-expelled from this school board and every other school in the Province of Ontario. It is a voluntary program. Students and their families must enter into a contract to participate. The program is delivered through a number of experiential approaches, with a strong focus on socio-emotional learning strategies.

The program emphasizes capacities, concentrating on each student’s positive traits and working to enhance those while building skills to correct behaviours that get in the way of success.

Students will continue to work towards their OSSD while in the program.

At present, there is a site in Waterloo and in Cambridge. Each class is capped at ten students, staffed with a teacher and Child Youth Worker. As well, the program includes a Vice Principal. The Choices team works in partnership with many local agencies and community organizations to support student success.

The length of stay in the Choices for Youth Program is dependent upon the student’s ability to complete the program outcomes. Following completion of the program, the student will re-enter mainstream school, the world of work or community programs. Choices staff will continue to support former students as they transition back to mainstream school.