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The Halton District School Board's Guide to Secondary School is intended for all secondary students at the HDSB. The guide outlines course information, graduation requirements, Pathways Opportunities and additional learning through initiatives such as eLearning and co-operative education, athletic involvement and co-curricular activities and more.
Please view our account - high school promotional videos showcasing programming and community spirit that exists in our secondary schools in Halton. You can view Craig Kielburger, Milton District, T.A. Blakelock, Burlington Central and Acton high schools. Look for more videos in the future.
Selecting Courses for Grade 9
Types of Courses in Grades 9
Students and parents/caregivers/guardians can explore secondary course offerings on myBlueprint, our HDSB Individual Pathways Planning tool.
De-streamed courses equip all students with the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to be successful in academic or applied courses in grade 10.
HDSB has de-streamed grade 9 courses to ensure students are able to make informed decisions about their pathway in grade 10. If a grade 9 course is not yet de-streamed, it is offered as an academic course.
Academic courses focus on the essential concepts of the discipline plus additional related concepts. Academic courses develop students’ knowledge and skills by emphasizing theoretical, abstract applications of the essential concepts while incorporating practical applications.
Academic courses will be phased out as new de-streamed courses are developed.
Locally Developed Courses (1L)
Locally Developed (Essential) Compulsory credit courses are intended for students whose educational needs are not met by the de-streamed curriculum. These courses are offered at our regional HDSB Locally Developed Program sites (CKSS, GEO, MMR, NEL, WOSS.)
Open courses in Grades 9 and 10 are offered in all subjects other than those offered as Academic, Applied, or Locally Developed. An open course has a set of expectations that is suitable for all students at a given grade level. Designed to provide students with a broad educational base.
Alternative Curriculum (begin with a K)
Alternative curriculum (K-coded) courses are non-credit bearing and begin with a K. These courses are for students in the Community Pathway Program.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements
30 credits* (17 compulsory, 13 elective)
40 hours of community involvement
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement
2 eLearning courses completed (opt out available)
The 17 compulsory credits are:
4 credits in English (1 credit per grade, includes NBE3)*
3 credits in Mathematics (1 credit in each of grade 9, grade 10 and grade 11 or 12)
2 credits in Science
1 credit in Canadian History (grade 10)
1 credit in Canadian Geography (grade 9)
1 credit in The Arts
1 credit in Health and Physical Education
1 credit in French as a Second Language
1 credit in Technological Education (Grade 9 or 10)
0.5 credit in Career Studies
0.5 credit in Civics
Plus one credit from the following STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) course grouping including:
Business
Computer Studies
Co-operative Education
Math (in addition to the 3 compulsory math credits required)
Science (in addition to the 2 compulsory science credits required)
Technological education (in addition to the 1 compulsory credit required)
Note: All grade 10 math courses starting in the Fall of 2025 will also include a required financial literacy graduation requirement.
A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
HDSB is implementing the Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Mètis, and Inuit Voices (NBE3) as the compulsory grade 11 English credit.
In groups 1, 2, and 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a Second Language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.
Indigenous (Native) Language and Studies Courses may be counted toward some compulsory credits.
All students will navigate their individual pathway based on their skill development, interests, post-secondary and destination goals. Students will work with Guidance Counsellors to develop their individual pathway plan that meets their needs.
Students that wish to make a pathway change at any point in secondary school will work with their Guidance Counsellor to develop an individual pathway plan that includes ensuring their skill development and course prerequisites match their post-secondary pathway plan. Students that wish to make a pathway change for post-secondary study will work with their Guidance Department to ensure they have the skill development and course prerequisites to successfully change pathways.
The Halton District School Board's Guide to Secondary School is a comprehensive guide intended for all secondary students. The guide outlines course information, graduation requirements, regional programs, pathways opportunities, and additional learning through initiatives such as eLearning and co-operative education, athletic involvement and co-curricular activities and more. Visit www.hdsb.ca to access the HDSB Guide to Secondary School.
Outside of the credits required for graduation, students also must complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement, at least 40 Community Involvement Hours, and two eLearning courses (unless an opt out form is submitted). Your high school’s Guidance team will inform you about criteria and considerations for these additional requirements so you feel well informed and know how to work toward the completion of each of these graduation requirements.
Explore the numerous tools with your student on their myBlueprint account or with your own family account at www.myBlueprint.ca/halton
High School– visually plan courses, track progress toward graduation, and instantly identify post-secondary eligibility for opportunities in every pathway. This is also the tool used for course selection by students
Post-Secondary – detailed information on apprenticeships, college programs, university programs and workplace sectors across Canada
Who Am I – 6 unique assessments for self-exploration and discovery (including Learning Styles, Myers-Briggs Personality, Holland Interests, Knowledge, Motivations, and Compatibility), to be matched with occupations and programs
Occupations– compare comprehensive information on occupations
Goals – create and track progress towards interactive SMART goals and action plans
Portfolios – create personal or career portfolios and share it with parents, teachers, or future employers
Resumes & Cover Letters – record experiences, build a resume, write a cover letter
Budgets – build a budget to track income and expenses
Job Search – find real-world job postings that relate to occupations of interest
Visit the Grade 8-9 Transition page on www.hdsb.ca
Visit the HDSB Guide to Secondary School on www.hdsb.ca
Explore opportunities on www.myblueprint.ca/halton for high school courses, post-secondary opportunities, and occupation planning
Attend the board livestream session and information evenings for grade 8 families at each secondary school
Meet with your student’s grade 7 and 8 teachers to discuss strengths and learning style
Discuss questions about transition with your elementary school’s Student Success teacher, Special Education Resource teacher (SERT), or English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher or secondary school Guidance Counsellors
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Easily find the tools, resources and information you need. Whether you're a student, parent, staff member or community partner, this page connects you to common tasks—from reporting absences to registering for school or accessing board services.
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