100 Biscayne Blvd., Keswick L4P 3S2
Phone: (905) 476-0933, (647) 795-7550
Fax: (905) 476-0929
Email: keswick.hs@yrdsb.ca
Bell Times: 9:05 AM – 3:05 PM
Introduction
Located in Keswick, Ontario, Keswick High School, was officially opened in September 2000 The school was strategically built to accommodate the residential growth in the surrounding area. With commitment to fostering literacy, Keswick High School aligns with the Board’s focus across Curriculum & Student Achievement, Effective Schools, and Parent, Family & Community Engagement, aiming to provide a comprehensive educational experience for its students. Facilities at the institution include Alternate Education Facilities, an art lab, a cafeteria and food lab, a communications technology lab, computer labs, a construction lab
a design technology lab, a drama room/stage, a family studies lab, gymnasiums, a library and resource centre, a music room, outdoor fields, an outdoor track, and science labs.
Highlights
Keswick High School is actively engaged in its own improvement plan, with strategies that align with the Board Improvement Plan and the School Effectiveness Framework. It focuses on areas such as student achievement and well-being, Literacy, engagement, equity, and the environment. Some of its strategies include fostering partnerships with parents and school community to support student success, building professional learning networks to guide professional learning, providing extensive preparation for EQAO testing, having an early start in August with a focus on diagnostic assessment, offering a wide variety of Alternative Education programs, and focusing on post secondary pathways, SHSM and world of work programs.
Academics
Keswick High School is one of the schools in the York Region District School Board that initiates an early start to its academic year in August. It also features quadmester programs (QP) which involve nine-week, two-period courses that run four times per year. Other programs offered by the school include the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Business and Transportation, as well as Ducal Credit (DC), allowing students to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, degree or a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Clubs and Extracurricular Activities
Student can join clubs and engage in extracurricular activities such as:
- Science Olympics
- Relay for Life
- Student Council
- Student Ambassadors
- Video Game Club
- White Pine Reading
- Outdoors Club
- Recreational Reading
- Writers’ Guild
- Fusion Dance Troop
- Graphic Novel Club
- Iron Chef Keswick
- Jazz Band
- Morning Maniacs
- Music Council
- Bible Study
- Blood Drives
- Drama Society
- Coffee House
- Choir
- Environmental Council
- Robotics Clubs
- Prom & Semi Formal Committee
Sports and Athletics
Students may participate in the following sports at Keswick High School:
- Soccer
- Lacrosse
- Wrestling
- Basketball
- Golf
- Cross Country
- Rugby
- Hockey
- Badminton
- Volleyball
- Slo Pitch
- Field Hockey
Students are urged to engage in interscholastic sports, as these competitive opportunities not only complement but also enrich their educational experience. Participation in a team requires athletes to contribute a team fee, and the formation of teams depends on student interest and the availability of volunteer coaches.
References
Brown, A., Mike Grieve, Stewart Todd, Kirsty Irvine, Nicole Wallace, Sue Daniels, Judy Buch, Carpenter, Mechanic, George. (n.d.). Welcome to Keswick High School – ppt download. Slideplayer.com. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from https://slideplayer.com/slide/13670915/
Pages -. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/keswick.hs/Pages/default.aspx
Pages – Our School. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/keswick.hs/info/Pages/Our-School.aspx
Pages – School Improvement Plan. (n.d.). Www.yrdsb.ca. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from http://www.yrdsb.ca/schools/keswick.hs/info/Pages/School-Improvement-Plan.aspx
Personalized Alternative Education. (2020, January 19). York Region District School Board. https://www2.yrdsb.ca/schools-programs/school-programs-nav/school-programs/personalized-alternative-education#:~:text=Quadmester%20Program
SHSM Programs & Locations. (2020, January 19). York Region District School Board. https://www2.yrdsb.ca/schools-programs/school-programs-nav/school-programs/specialist-high-skills-major/shsm-programs
