Welcome to KCI – Home of the Raiders.  Each school year we look forward to an exciting year – the learning, the friendships, the events and activities that make high school a special time.  KCI finds itself in the midst of one of the most vibrant areas of Waterloo Region as new business, new transportation and new living accommodations are built. We look to developing strong working relationships with our partners in the KCI community.

See below some of the outstanding programs that make KCI such an incredible place to be!

Urban Heritage

KCI is truly an essential and integral part of Kitchener-Waterloo. We are recognized as a welcoming and inclusive educational institution representing all the worlds’ people and all the worlds’ abilities. KCI’s staff is committed to ensuring that our school community has opportunities for all students to learn, share, and grow together. Our staff facilitates meaningful activities both in the classroom and through a broad variety of co-curricular activities. An example of this “wider classroom” is KCI’s Cooperative Education, Work Experience, Dual Credit and on line learning programs. Students are given the opportunity to learn in a hands-on setting and develop real-life skills that can be transferred to post-secondary education, apprenticeships or the workplace.

Whether it’s our Green Industries Program providing horticultural expertise and landscaping services to neighbouring organizations, our Cosmetology Program proving haircuts to the needy, our Hospitality Program catering a wide range of community events, or our Youth Drop-In Centre, KCI reaches out to the community. An annual Community Dinner held each December provides over 500 meals to individuals experiencing challenges during the festive season. In conjunction with Nutrition for Learning and donors, we also offer a daily breakfast and lunch program to support our students. This outreach is not one-sided as it provides rich learning experiences for our students and builds in them a stronger character and sense of social responsibility and citizenship.

Visit the Heritage Sculpture Garden located across the front lawn of KCI.  Sit, relax and enjoy a tribute to the Region’s rich history and heritage.  This garden was a joint community project achieved through a City of Kitchener grant to recognize the city’s centennial celebrations.

Our Arts program reaches out to the Grand River Cancer Centre each fall as they participate in a “Sidewalk Chalk Drawing” activity. The artistic abilities of KCI students are on display for the enjoying of patients and visitors at the Cancer Centre.

Global Learning

Developing a sense of social responsibility, social justice, and global awareness in our student body is a major emphasis for learning at KCI.

KCI reaches out internationally by participating in builds in Panama. These experiences, shared by both KCI and Huron Heights Secondary School staff and students, reach far beyond the classroom and curriculum. Not only do students learn about developing nations and international development, they actively engage in making the world a better place. What they ultimately learn is that they can and do make a difference.

KCI’s French Immersion Program also provides opportunities for global learning. Beyond its rich academic French language-based program, French Immersion students participate in an international exchange with students from Montpellier, France. Spending two-weeks in France, students are immersed in French language, French culture, and French education. Students and their families also host the students from France in their homes. These students attend KCI and quickly connect to our diverse community. The relationships between host families are lifelong and students are left richer for the experience!

Learning and Student Success

KCI is committed to student learning and student success. Our Academic, Applied, Fast Forward, ACE (Life Skills), College, University, Trade, and Workplace programs all strive to challenge students to embrace and reach their full potential. Academic rigour and high expectations exist as part of all programs and provide a particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy. Literacy mastery is no less important for student moving to university than it is for students going directly to the workplace upon graduation. Numeracy skill development is also critical to a student’s learning, living, and future and so we ensure the highest level of instruction in all areas of mathematics.

For students who require additional supports to reach their goals, KCI offers one of the province’s best Student Success and Learning Services Programs. Drop-in assistance for assignments, exam test preparation, study techniques, or extra time are all available through Learning Services. Our Student Success Program provides an array of supports including credit rescue, credit recovery, daily support for students requiring extra assistance, and one on one support for students who are significantly behind in terms of credit accumulation.

Enrichment opportunities are endless for students who are looking to challenge themselves academically. Students are encouraged to speak with their guidance counsellors to explore various enrichment opportunities within KCI.

Student leadership opportunities also abound at KCI. The variety of student clubs, activities, and athletics are many – there really is something for everyone. Students develop leadership skills, team skills, communication skills, and real-life skills that contribute to their learning, self-confidence and often play an important role in earning scholarships and awards, or in gaining acceptance to post-secondary educational or employment opportunities.

At KCI, success is defined in many different ways depending on the student. Our focus is in ensuring all students meet with SUCCESS!