HDSB Wel​come Centre

Students from Grade 1 to age 21 must register through the Welcome Centre if any of the foll​owing apply:

• Entering from Ontario school system for the first time, and whose first language is not English (or is a variety ​of English)*​
• Entering HDSB with an International Student Visa (or any visa including Visitor Visas)
• Entering with a Work Permit or a Study Permit (student and/or parent/guardian holds the permit) ​
• Entering HDSB with their Permanent Residence Status application in progress
• Entering from a French language school in a French language school board (if first language is not English)​
• Re-entering Ontario after an absence of a year or more (if first language is not English) ​

• ​Proof of child’s age
  
• Proof of address (two documents required)
• Proof of child’s citizenship or immigration status
• Education records
• If you are not the child’s parent, or if you have sole custody, please bring proof of custody (court order)
  

What to expect when visiting the Welcome Centre​

​​1. Registration 

• This is when we collect all of the necessary documents to complete the registration process.  See “what to bring” for a list of these documents.
• Students will be registered at the appropriate homeschool once the assessment is completed

• ​During the assessment session, your family is interviewed to discuss your child’s school history, interests and goals.
• Your childs’ English proficiency and mathematics skills will be assessed.
• Results of your child’s English proficiency assessment and Math assessment ​will be shared with you, your child and the team at your child’s new school.​
  

3. Orientation (if requested)

• ​​Meet with a member of our settlement team to assist with a smooth transition to school and life in Halton.
• Learn about the education system in Ontario
• Ask questions about how to best support your child’s transition to life and schooling in Halton.
  

​Secondary Assessment - Gr. 9-12
Language: 1.5 hours to 2 hours​  ​Math: between 0.5 hour to 1 hour​

The HDSB Welcome Centre is located inside Gary Allan High School in Milton.​

215 Ontario Street South
Milton, ON
L9T 4N5
Get Directions​

When visiting via Milton Transit - take bus #5 or #8.  Follow the driveway to the left and around the north side of the building and use the Building A1 Entrance.

​

YSS support schools in the following ways:

Welcome Centre (HDSB YSS only) ​​

• Orient and inform families new to Halton of the HDSB system, routines and expectations
• Collaborate with the Welcome Centre Academic Assessor(s) and Welcome Centre Social Worker to support student transition into school and the community 
• Provide language support during the registration and assessment process
• Identify any settlement needs for incoming families and refer families to resources and support within the Halton community​​
  

Halton Multicultural Council

Eric Keunne

Settlement Org