The new school year is officially underway across the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB), but many students have already gotten a head start.
Over 1,800 students participated in the district's Secondary Summer Learning program, also known as summer school. This is up from the roughly 1,500 who signed up in 2024.
"Whether earning a final credit toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, preparing for post-secondary education, or exploring unique cultural and workplace experiences, students embraced the chance to learn year-round," a statement from the LKDSB said.
The vast majority of students in this year's program took courses online. This included 52 Grade 8 students preparing for high school.
Over 800 students also came from other school districts, while just under 200 LKDSB students took advantage of another district's summer program.
One of the most popular courses in the LKDSB program was the Summer Co-op Program, which had 136 students take part.
Over 50 students also took advantage of the Travel for Credit program, which combined online learning with a cultural and historical journey. It included a week-long educational trip to Ottawa, Montreal, and New York City.