Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) applications are open at the Halton District School Board

By Halton District School Board - Nov 18, 2025

Nov. 18, 2025 - The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is now accepting applications to the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for the 2026-2027 school year. HDSB students and external students can apply on the AP and IB webpages of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca) by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2025.

To support families in determining which program would most benefit their child, students and parents/guardians are encouraged to review the AP vs IB: Which Advanced Program is Right for Your Child? article to learn about each program, their differences and how they set students up for success. 

Advanced Placement at the HDSB
Advanced Placement (AP) is one of the most widely recognized university preparation programs around the world. Students enrolled in the AP program take courses that offer university-level content and support the development of strong academic skills, setting them up for future success. The HDSB’s widely accessible AP program is the longest-standing in Halton. 

AP preparatory courses are offered to students in Grade 10 to 12 and are delivered through the Ontario course curriculum, covering first-year university course content. 

The AP Prep Program is a Grade 9 entry opportunity that provides students with an early start in developing the curiosity, habits and independence that lead to success in future Advanced Placement courses, and beyond the classroom. Students entering Grade 9 and 10 can apply to the AP Prep program in preparation for the AP courses and exams that are offered in Grade 11 and Grade 12.

AP self-study and exams are available to any student registered in the HDSB. Self-study allows students to review learning materials at their own pace and take AP exams without enrolling in an AP course. All secondary schools offering AP exams provide opportunities for students to write the exams through self-study.

HDSB schools offering AP courses, exams and self-study

HDSB schools offering AP Prep, courses, exams and self-study

More information about the AP Program at the HDSB can be found on the Advanced Placement webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca) and by contacting individual schools. 

International Baccalaureate at the HDSB

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a globally recognized two-year program offered in Grade 11 and 12 that challenges students to excel both academically and personally. Students entering Grade 11 or 12 in September 2026 can apply for the program.

For nearly 20 years, HDSB students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme have consistently achieved top results, with some earning the rare distinction of perfect scores across all six subject areas, along with an ‘A’ in both the Theory of Knowledge course and the Extended Essay – an accomplishment attained by only 1–2% of IB Diploma recipients worldwide.

To ensure students are well-prepared, all HDSB IB schools provide an IB Prep Program in Grade 9 and 10, offered at no cost. Students entering Grade 9 and 10 in September 2026 can apply to the IB Prep program pathway and build strong academic foundations and inquiry skills.

The IB Program is offered at:

More information about the IB Program at the HDSB can be found on the International Baccalaureate webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca) and by contacting individual schools. 

HDSB 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan

The 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan sets direction and prioritizes the collective actions of all students, staff, families and community members. This plan ensures our efforts as an organization are aligned and coordinated to support more than 65,000 students, 11,000 staff and the broader HDSB community. The six commitments identified in this four-year plan intersect and overlap to ensure that we take a cohesive approach to fulfilling its objectives.

Background resources
Advanced Placement (AP) webpage
International Baccalaureate (IB) webpage
AP vs IB: Which Advanced Program is Right for Your Child?

 


For additional information, contact: Amy Mejia, Communications Specialist
communications@hdsb.ca | 905-335-3663, Toll free: 1-877-618-3456

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