Catholic schools have been educating students in mind, body and spirit in Ontario since before the birth of the province. Since 1841, they have provided educational excellence within a school culture imbued with the Gospel values of Jesus Christ. Publicly funded Catholic education has been the foundation for millions of students to develop their full spiritual, academic, physical and social potential. Catholic schools have made a tremendous contribution to the vitality and success of Ontario’s education system, which ranks among the best in the world.
Our Catholic schools nurture the values inherent in the Catholic faith – including responsibility, accountability, collaboration, and caring within family and community – producing not just good students but good citizens
Living Our Faith
Catholic Education
History of Catholic Education in Ontario
Catholic Education Week is held each year in May in Ontario Catholic School Boards.
Explore resources available through the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association.
Faith & Learning
Elementary Religious Education
Ontario Catholic Elementary Curriculum Policy Document - Grades 1 - 8
Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ is our Elementary Religious Education program at St. Clair Catholic District School Board. We have now implemented the programs for Grades 1-8 and we eagerly await the publication of the Kindergarten program in the fall. Growing in Faith Growing in Christ is the result of collaboration and consultation among our Bishops and many Catholic educators. The program is intended to provide students in each grade with the foundational knowledge of the faith and classroom experiences that will help them grow in relationship with God.
The program builds strong links between the home, the school, and the parish community by inviting participation and providing opportunities for students to experience and celebrate the faith in each environment.
Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ is organized to follow the sequence of the liturgical year of the Catholic Church. It highlights the major celebrations of the Church that coincide with many family and cultural celebrations.
Each student has the ability to access the resources at home as well as at school. This gives you, our parents and caregivers, the opportunity to see first-hand what our students are learning and allows you to easily share in your child’s faith journey. You can access the content either by going to the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ website or by installing a free app on your iPad to access the eText. Please see the back of this page for instructions on how to access both.
Ontario Catholic Secondary Curriculum Policy Document Grades 9 - 12
Guided by the 2016 Religious Education Policy Document, the Secondary Religious Education program builds on the learning in the grade 1-8 Religious Education and Family Life programs. Courses in grades 9 and 10 are open courses, including of all levels of learning. Grade 11 and 12 courses include specific levels - university preparation, college preparation and open level courses.
Each secondary course reflects five themes: Profession of Faith, Sacred Scripture, Prayer, and Sacramental Life, Christian Moral Development, and Family Life. In addition, students are expected to build their Research and Inquiry skills by focusing on one area of the course content in greater detail. In grade 12 classes, students are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer service.
Family Life Education Policy Document
Fully Alive Program Grades 1 - 8
In grades 1 through 8 in Ontario Catholic schools, the program used for instruction in Family Life Education is Fully Alive. Fully Alive is a Family Life Education program sponsored and approved by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario.
Family Life Education, as it is represented in Fully Alive, is intended to pass on a distinctively Catholic view of human life, sexuality, marriage, and family. Its goal is to complement the efforts of families and to support what parents are doing at home. The entire program from Grades 1 through Grade 8 is designed to encourage children to become the people God wants them to be -- to be fully alive.
Fully Alive is organized around five themes that are seen as essential to a complete Family Life Education program:
Theme One - Created and Loved by God
The first theme provides the foundation of the program. We are created in the image of God, and God loves and sustains each one of us. This theme explores some of the ways in which each person is unique and irreplaceable, yet shares a common human nature with all others.
Theme Two - Living in Relationship
Human beings are created to live in relationships with others. The bonds of family and friendship, which are explored in this theme, are central in our lives, and shape our identity and development.
Theme Three - Created Sexual: Male and Female
Sexuality is a fundamental dimension of our identity as children of God. In this theme, sexuality is presented as a gift from God that is intended for life and love.
Theme Four - Growing in Commitment
God's call to faithfulness is explored in this theme. Learning to be committed and trustworthy is a life-long challenge that begins in childhood.
Theme Five - Living in the World
Our relationships with others go beyond the circle of family and friends. Theme five examines what it means to participate in society, and to fulfill our responsibilities to care for and build God's world.
Pastoral Plan
We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain. (Hebrews 6:19)
At St. Clair Catholic, our faith is at the heart of everything we do. Through the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ program, we bring faith to life in our classrooms and school communities, guided by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. In partnership with families and parishes, we nurture a strong, faith-filled community.
September: We are caring family members
We are called to be caring family members who attend to family, school, parish, and the wider community with respect rooted in God’s love.
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
October: We are collaborative contributors
We are called to find meaning, engagement, dignity, and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.
For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
November: We are responsible citizens
We are called to serve as responsible citizens who give witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice, and the sanctity of human life.
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Advent: November 30 – December 24
A time for peace, hope, joy, and love.
January: We are reflective, creative, and holistic thinkers
We are called to solve problems and make responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17)
February: We are self-directed, responsible, lifelong learners
We are called to learn together today to transform tomorrow. We are called to develop and demonstrate our God-given potential.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Lent: February 18 – April 2
A season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
April: We are discerning believers
We will celebrate the signs and sacred mystery of God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection, and moral living.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your insight. (Proverbs 3:5)
Catholic Education Week: May 3 - May 9
We are pilgrims of hope on the path to holiness.
June: We are effective communicators
We are created in the image and likeness of God. We are called to speak, write, and listen honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)
Anchored in Hope Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for giving us hope through Jesus.
Help us to keep Jesus at the center of our hearts.
You are always with us, anchoring us in hope and love. Let Your light guide us and fill us with courage and strength.
Lord, help us to be patient and caring, always ready to lend a helping hand.
With Jesus as our anchor, may we face each day with trust and joy, knowing that Your love is the foundation of our hope.
Amen.
2025–2026 Key Actions
Anchored in hope, and with Jesus and the teachings of the Catholic Church, we will:
- Integrate Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ into daily religion instruction
- Reflect our Catholic faith in all aspects of school life
- Align learning with the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
- Strengthen partnerships through regular communication with families and parishes
