The Rainy River District School Board’s (RRDSB) Summer Co-op Program provides the opportunity for RRDSB secondary students to earn up to two credits in the summer through a registered work placement, and completing the academic work as required to fulfil the requirements of the Ontario Cooperative Education curriculum.
Most students who are accepted into the Summer Co-op Program must find their own work placement. This is usually the student’s paid summer employment.
To earn one credit, students complete 110 hours of work by a summer deadline; 220 hours is required for 2 credits. The number of credits to be earned will be determined before starting the placement.
Is the Summer Co-op Program for you?
The Summer Co-op Program may help with your education plans if you are currently an RRDSB student in grade 12 or 11 and:
- Are a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) student who can't fit your co-op requirement into your academic schedule
- Are interested in exploring the apprenticeship pathway through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
- Need only one or two credits to be able to graduate by the end of Summer 2026
- Need one or two credits to get back on track with your scheduled graduation year
- Would like to try Co-op, but can't fit it into your academic schedule
General Timelines
Specific dates will be provided as they are finalized.
April:
Initial applications open (online or paper form).
Applicants will be contacted by the school to follow up and to provide more information as needed during this time.
May:
All applicants will be informed if they have been accepted to the Summer Co-op program or not.
Applicants who were not accepted will be counselled to consider other summer learning options as available.
Early June:
Possible orientation session(s) for students and families as needed
Late June - early July:
Mandatory pre-placement learning (in-person, virtual, or hybrid)
July - August:
Students on work placements; student learning is monitored by the Co-op teacher; students complete learning logs and assignments as required by the Co-op curriculum
End of August:
All earned credits applied to student transcripts.
Please Note:
- Acceptance to Summer Coop is based on demonstrated student academic need.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
- Every effort will be made to offer Summer Co-op each year. As it depends on a number of factors however -- including staffing, and student interest -- it is not guaranteed to run in any given summer.
Registration Form
The registration form for 2026 Summer Coop will be available by mid- April.
Students may speak to their Guidance counsellor to indicate their interest in Summer coop, and to find out if they would be recommended for it.
You may access the application form here once it is available, or ask your Guidance counsellor for a copy.
Please complete the form and submit it to your Guidance counsellor by May 2.
If assistance is needed when completing the registration form, please contact your Guidance Counsellor.
Are you looking for summer work experiences that could possibly count as co-op placements too? Check here for a list of some ideas:
Summer Work / Training Experiences