Special Education Department

Our Special Education Department focuses on programs and supports for exceptional students to support their access to Ontario Curriculum, encourage their independence, and to help them reach their highest possible potential. Students with special education needs are supported within our Catholic school community by a team of Classroom Teachers, Special Education Resource Teachers and Educational Assistants to ensure that the unique needs of each student are met within an inclusive environment.

Some of our key supports include:


  • Resource Support Room - operates from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm daily. Students are able to receive accommodations and supports here throughout the school day as well as before and after school. Educational Assistants and Special Education Resource Teachers staff the Resource room on a continual basis. Some of the accommodations available include additional time to write a test, one-on-one support to complete an assignment, or a quiet place to focus as needed.


  • Technology Support - for students with school assigned technology we provide assistance with access to the school network, printing, training and the use of additional support programs such as Google Read and Write.


  • Self Advocacy Support - Our staff provides support to students who need assistance with voicing their needs in regards to their accommodations and learning. We focus on helping students to learn how to understand their learning needs and how to explain these needs to others in order to be successful.

Our department also includes the following specialized programs:

  • Learning for Living Program

  • English Language Learners


Learning for Living Program (LLS)

Our Learning for Living Program offers non-credit earning courses which focus on practical life skills and purposeful learning experiences. At St. Peter, our Learning for Living Program promotes social skills, independent living skills as well as literacy and numeracy skills.


To foster our philosophy of inclusivity, students in the Learning for Living Program are integrated into various mainstream classes such as: Culinary Skills, Physical Education, Dramatic Arts, Music, Visual Arts, and some Technology courses. These courses are selected based on availability and suitability of the individual student. Integration further enhances social skills and helps to build a sense of school belonging and community while providing each student with an enriching school experience.


In the first two years of our Learning for Living Program, students are involved in our Transit Training Program. This allows students to further develop independence by using public transportation and becoming familiar with various public service facilities throughout the city. Based on age and individual readiness, students may also be involved in various Work Placement opportunities. These begin in the latter years of the student’s secondary school experience building on their independence, social and job readiness skills.

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At St. Peter, we are exceptionally proud of our involvement with Special Olympics. We have a very dedicated team of Educational Assistants and Special Education Resource Teachers who, through the years, have provided our Learning for Living students countless opportunities to compete both locally and provincially in a variety of athletic events.


"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Special Olympics Motto

English Language Learners (ELL)

English language learners are students whose first language is a language other than English, and who may require focused educational supports to assist them in attaining proficiency in English. These students may be Canadian born or recently arrived from other countries. They come from diverse backgrounds and school experiences, and have a wide variety of strengths and needs. Special Education Resource Teachers and Classroom Teachers collaborate to ensure ELL students have engaging and challenging opportunities within the school while providing appropriate modifications and accommodations to achieve curriculum standards.


The Vision of the English Language Learner:

  • Learn English at the same time as the Ontario curriculum

  • Feel that their culture and language are valued

  • Have confidence to express their opinion and know they have a voice

  • Have opportunities to choose pathways that reflect their strengths and interests

  • Become immersed in the school community