Bieber graduates high school

Justin Bieber with his brother Jaxon Bieber on the redcarpet at the MMVA's (MuchMusic Video Awards) in Toronto on Sunday June 17, 2012. (Ernest Doroszuk/QMI AGENCY)

STRATFORD, ONT. - Justin Bieber can add an Ontario high school diploma to his long list of achievements.

The international pop superstar is in the 2012 graduating class of St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Stratford, Ont., his hometown.

The high school held its commencement ceremony on Thursday night, but Bieber wasn't there to collect his diploma in person. There was no repeat of his surprise appearance in Stratford earlier this month when he sang his hit "Baby" on the steps of the Avon Theatre, where he once made $150-$200 a night busking.

"I guess if it happened quietly it's because Justin chose to keep aspects of his education quiet," said Dan Parr, a superintendent with the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board.

Parr said out of respect for Bieber's privacy, as with any other student, he would not discuss details of the singer's education.

Thirty credits, including 16 mandatory courses, are required to graduate from high school in the province.

Bieber took courses through e-learning.

"We are very proud of Justin and all of the other 192 graduates of St. Michael school, however, we're not at liberty to discuss any personal plans or information about Justin or any other graduate," said St. Mike's principal Tim Doherty.

Bieber's name is on the graduation program, between Antoine berger de Nomazy and James Bohan.

"Cool," said Bohan, who knew Bieber in grade scho! ol.

< p>Parr said he wouldn't be surprised if the program became a collector's item.

A yearbook signed by Bieber when he was in Grade 7 at Northwestern Elementary School fetched $3,500 on eBay in 2010.

Bieber's choice of St. Mike's comes as a bit of a surprise.

Northwestern next door to St. Mike's is usually considered his alma mater. Last year, he donated a pair of signed purple Nike sneakers to help the school buy broadcasting equipment.

However, before going to Northwestern Bieber was a student at Jeanne Sauve Catholic School in the Huron-Perth board.

Bieber was 13 and in the eighth grade when with his mom, Pattie Mallette, he moved to Atlanta to make it in the music industry after he was discovered on YouTube.

brian.shypula@sunmedia.ca