HDSB Secondary Education: Specialized Program Overviews

Additional information about each secondary school’s program, course offerings, and transportation-specific information will be shared directly from the secondary school.

Advanced Placement (AP) (Grade 9-12)

Program Overview:

Advanced Placement (AP) is the most widespread university preparation program in the world, recognized by universities in Canada, the United States and in over 60 countries around the world. AP courses offer university-level content to students in secondary school, allowing students to study topics in greater depth, supporting the development of strong academic skills in research, critical thinking and time management. Some university admissions teams view AP participation as evidence of preparedness and commitment, and students are provided the opportunity to explore subjects they are passionate about at a deeper level than standard secondary courses.

Based on their performance on rigorous AP Exams, students can also earn transfer credit, advanced placement or both for college or university. By participating in earning Advanced Placement, students may save time and university tuition fees as well and are much better prepared for the rigours of post-secondary education. Exams are accepted by 90% of all North American universities and are recognized among the top institutions around the globe. These include, but are not limited to, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Princeton, University College Dublin, University of Glasgow, and University of Oxford.

Virtual Information Evening: October 14, 2025 @ 7:00 pm (Livestream)

Location:

Self-Study and Exams

Available to all students registered in the HDSB

Courses, Exams and Self-Study:

Abbey Park HS

Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS

Elsie MacGill SS

Iroquois Ridge HS

Nelson HS

Oakville Trafalgar HS

AP-Prep, Courses, Exams and Self-Study:

Acton District School

Garth Webb SS

Milton District HS

T.A. Blakelock HS

Application Information:

Contact the individual high school.

Community Pathways Program (CPP) (Grade 9 to the age of 21)

Program Overview:

The Community Pathways Program focuses on skill development in the following areas: communication, functional academics, skills for daily living, social skills, self-regulation, motor skills and work-readiness/ transition to adulthood skills.

Programs include non-credit courses to support students in the development of independent/semi-independent living skills. The Community Pathways Program has 2 phases, years 1-4 and years 5-7.

Virtual Information Evening: Monday, Nov. 17, 7:00 pm (Access the meeting via Google Meet)

Location:

Craig Kielburger SS

Elsie MacGill SS

Georgetown District HS

M.M. Robinson HS

Nelson HS

T.A. Blakelock HS

White Oaks SS

Application Information:

No application required for this program. Students must meet the exceptionality requirements and IPRC process.

Dual Credit (Grade 11 and 12)

Program Overview:

Dual credit programs are Ministry-approved programs that allow students, while they are in high school, to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a post-secondary certificate, diploma, degree or a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

There are a wide array of program options offered through a variety of models involving learning at the high school and/or the college. Courses count towards both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree.

Wednesday, Oct. 22: Informational virtual event to begin at 7 p.m. (Livestream).

Location:

All secondary schools have this program, depending on the program type.

Application Information:

Application required for dual credits offered at the college.

No application required for courses offered at the high school.

French Immersion (FI) (Grade 9-12)

*students would currently be in FI in their grade 8 year

Program Overview:

The French Immersion program is open to students who have completed the French Immersion Program in an Ontario Elementary school or who have met the requirement of a minimum of 3800 hours of French instruction accumulated by the end of Grade 8.

Students in French Immersion must accumulate a total of 10 French Immersion credits in order to receive a Certificate of French Immersion Studies.

4 French Immersion language credits; one each in Grade 9, 10, 11, and 12
6 additional courses in other subjects taught in French

Location:

Acton District School

Burlington Central HS

Craig Kielburger SS

Garth Webb SS

Georgetown District HS

Iroquois Ridge HS

Milton District HS

M.M. Robinson HS

Nelson HS

Oakville Trafalgar HS

T.A. Blakelock HS

White Oaks SS

Application Information:

No application required.

International Baccalaureate (IB) (Grade 9-12)

Program Overview:

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an academically comprehensive two-year programme offered in Grades 11 and 12, recognized by top universities worldwide. Students who complete the IBDP earn both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and may be eligible for university credits, depending on their post-secondary destination.

Designed to prepare students for success in university and beyond, the program emphasizes critical thinking, research, global awareness, and well-rounded personal development. Students complete courses in six subject areas, along with three core components:

Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
Extended Essay (EE)
Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)

To ensure students are well-prepared, all HDSB IBdp schools offer an IBDP Prep Program in Grades 9 and 10. This preparatory pathway builds strong academic foundations and inquiry skills, helping students thrive in the challenges and opportunities of the Diploma Programme. While IBDP Prep

Programs are available and highly recommended at IBDP schools, they are not required for entry into the formal Grade 11 IB Diploma Programme. Students may contact the school’s IB Coordinator for more information about entry in Grade 11.

In-Person Information Evening: October 16, 2025,

6:30 pm at Burlington Central HS, Craig Kielburger SS, Georgetown District HS
6:00 pm at White Oaks SS
7:00 pm at White Oaks SS

Location:

Burlington Central HS

Craig Kielburger SS

Georgetown District HS

White Oaks SS

Application Information:

Application is required. See the IB webpage for more information.

Application Opens: October 24, 2025

Application Closes: December 2, 2025 @ 11:59 pm

I-STEM (Grade 9-12)

Program Overview:

I-STEM is a four-year, hands-on, interdisciplinary program that begins in Grade 9 and focuses on innovation, design thinking, and solving real-world problems. Through inquiry-based learning and collaboration with community organizations and post-secondary partners, students explore the impact of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) on social, economic, and environmental challenges, both locally and globally.

I-STEM students work across subjects to explore how science, technology, engineering, and math intersect in everyday life. With an emphasis on teamwork, innovation, and authentic problem-solving, this program prepares students for advanced pathways in STEM and beyond, supported by a de-semestered morning schedule.

In-Person Information Evening: October 23, 2025

6:30 pm at Aldershot School, Elsie MacGill SS, T.A. Blakelock HS

Location:

Aldershot School

Elsie MacGill SS

T.A. Blakelock HS

Application Information:

Application is required. See I-STEM webpage for more information.

Application Opens: October 24, 2025

Application Closes: December 2, 2025 @ 11:59 pm

Locally Developed (Grade 9-12)

Program Overview:

Locally Developed program courses focus on cross-curricular, community-focused, experiential and project-based learning to meet the needs of a variety of learners, support literacy and numeracy skill development and individual goal attainment. Students will:

work towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
develop key literacy and numeracy skills through subject-based learning
focus on hands-on, authentic learning
work on curriculum expectations that meet their individual educational needs
improve their confidence and engagement in school
achieve success and reach their full potential

Virtual Information Evening: October 29, 2025 @ 7:00 pm (Livestream)

Location:

Craig Kielburger SS

Georgetown District HS

M.M. Robinson HS

Nelson HS

White Oaks SS

Application Information:

In collaboration with parent/ guardian/ caregiver, Grade 8 SERT and Secondary Head of Special Education.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) (Grade 11 and 12)

Program Overview:

There are three streams available for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) program.

OYAP (Co-op) is a youth apprenticeship program designed to provide senior high school students (Grades 11 & 12) with opportunities to explore the skilled trades and train as apprentices, making the transition to the workplace easier. This program is available to all Co-Op students.

OYAP (Concentrated) provides students with the opportunity to complete studies towards a high school diploma while beginning an apprenticeship program. In this program, students learn Level 1 apprenticeship training and gain up to 2 years towards their apprenticeship. Several of the Apprenticeship Programs are accredited by Niagara College, granting completion of the Level 1 requirements. This program is available at specific schools through an application process.

OYAP-FAST (Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training) is an accelerated pathway within the OYAP program for students looking for significant on-the-job training and practical experience in a skilled trade by completing 8 to 11 co-op credits. This program allows students to register as an apprentice, secure a training agreement, and receive a special OYAP-FAST seal on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) upon completion. This program is designed for students on the apprenticeship pathway.

Wednesday, Oct. 22: Informational virtual event to begin at 7 p.m. (Livestream)

Location:

Available at all secondary schools.

Application Information:

No application required.

Secondary Gifted Cluster (SGC) (Grade 9 and 10, Grade 11 and 12 as timetable permits)

Program Overview:

The Secondary Gifted Cluster (SGC) is a congregated grouping of students within a regular class with an identification of Giftedness at designated secondary schools. Students will be scheduled with non-identified learners in particular courses at the secondary school level. The Ontario curriculum in each of the clusters will be differentiated in breadth, depth and pace from the curriculum being offered to other students.

Location:

Abbey Park HS

Burlington Central HS (26/27)

Dr. Frank. J. Hayden SS (26/27)

Garth Webb SS

Georgetown District HS

Iroquois Ridge HS

Milton District HS

M.M. Robinson HS

Nelson HS

Oakville Trafalgar HS

T.A. Blakelock HS (26/27)

White Oaks SS (26/27)

Application Information:

No application required; Students must be identified through IPRC with an Identification of Gifted .

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) (Grade 11 and 12)

Program Overview:

The Specialist High Skills Major Program is a program for Grade 11 and 12 students that supports sector-specific learning through the completion of:

a bundle of ‘major’ and ‘minor’ courses (8-10) related to the chosen sector
career exploration and ‘reach ahead’ opportunities
industry-recognized certifications and experiential learning
a Sector-Partnered experience
co-operative education placement in a sector-related field

Wednesday, Oct. 22: Informational virtual event to begin at 7 p.m. (Livestream)

Location:

Acton District School

Abbey Park HS

Aldershot School

Burlington Central HS

Craig Kielburger SS

Elsie MacGill SS

Garth Webb SS

Georgetown District HS

Iroquois Ridge HS

Milton District HS

M.M. Robinson HS

Nelson HS

Oakville Trafalgar HS

T.A. Blakelock HS

White Oaks SS

Sectors offered vary by school.

Application Information:

No application required.

Supporting Multilingual Language Learners (Grade 9-12)

Program Overview:

Centre Schools provide English as a Second Language (ESL) and/or English Literacy Development (ELD) programs. These programs are designed to accelerate learning English and include courses ESLAO, ESLBO, ESLCO, GLS and additional content courses for multilingual students. Centre schools will support MLL students on STEP 1-6.

All other Resource Schools provide support for multilingual students including accommodations and ongoing language assessment. Resource schools will support MLL students in STEP 4-6.