Welcome to Burlington Central

Find Your Path. Build Your Future.

Where cutting-edge technology, hands-on arts, and a close-knit community come together to help you succeed. Proudly ranked in Ontario's Top 150 schools.

Simon Fraser Institute Rankings 2025

Burlington Central School

Burlington Central School is where tradition and innovation come together to shape tomorrow's leaders.

Serving students from Grades 7 to 12 in both English and French Immersion, as well as offering the International Baccalaureate program, we provide a dynamic and inclusive learning environment in the heart of Burlington, Ontario, as part of the Halton District School Board.

Housed in a beautiful heritage building dating back to 1922, enhanced with modern additions and ongoing renovations, our school blends historic charm with cutting-edge facilities, including state-of-the-art tech programs and vibrant learning spaces.

As a proud community school, Burlington Central thrives on strong parent engagement and local partnerships. We celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our student body and warmly welcome learners from around the globe.

We are also committed to sustainability, holding Ontario EcoSchools Gold status since 2014. At Burlington Central, students don't just learn—they lead, innovate and grow in a supportive, future-focused environment.

Academics

Burlington Central offers many unique pathways for every student to pursue their passions through a wide range of class offerings and hands-on opportunities.

From woodworking and autoshop, modern science labs, to music and visual arts, there's something for every interest. Modern science labs further support curiosity and discovery across disciplines.

In addition to the world-class Ontario curriculum offerings, students benefit from a wide range of specialized programs at Burlington Central.

French Immersion

Students will communicate and interact with growing confidence in French, one of Canada's official languages, while developing the knowledge, skills, and perspectives they need to participate fully as citizens in Canada and in the world.

In French Immersion, students realize the vision of the FSL curriculum as they strive to:

Use French to communicate and interact effectively in a variety of social settings
Learn about Canada, its two official languages, and other francophone cultures
Appreciate how connected and interdependent the global community is
Be responsible for their own learning as they work independently and in groups
Use effective language learning strategies
Become lifelong language learners for personal growth and for active participation as world citizens

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a globally recognized two-year program offered in Grades 11 and 12 that challenges students to excel both academically and personally. Through a rigorous curriculum, students explore subjects in depth while developing advanced knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Recognized by universities in more than 110 countries, the IBDP provides graduates with advantages such as advanced standing, course credits, and/or scholarships. Students who successfully complete the program earn both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

SHSM

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program is a specialized program for Grade 11 and 12 students that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school.

These programs enable students to gain sector specific skills and knowledge in engaging, career-related learning environments, and prepare in a focused way for graduation and post-secondary education, training or employment.

Burlington Central offers a broad selection of SHSM programs to their students, including: Arts & Culture, Construction/Electrical and Engineering, Manufacturing & Robotics.

Cocurricular

At Burlington Central, learning beyond the classroom is just as essential to the student experience. Cocurriculars give students the opportunity to find interests beyond academics that will help them shape their understanding of what post-secondary pathways may look like for them. Burlington Central offers many ways for students to engage in new and exciting opportunities, including:

Cooperative Education (Co-op)

Cooperative Education provides secondary students with valuable experiential learning to apply, refine and extend their learning from the classroom into the community. Co-op allows students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work experience placement in the community. Burlington Central students are employed by businesses all over Halton to support their education in fields of work that interest them.

Co-op at Burlington Central

Athletics

Burlington Central offers a wide breadth of athletic programming for students and are recognized as fierce Halton competitors.

Athletics at Burlington Central

Clubs & Teams

Students can discover their passion, build their confidence and create unforgettable memories by getting involved in extracurricular activities. Our clubs and teams offer the perfect mix of challenge, creativity and community, and are available all year round.

Clubs & Teams at Burlington Central

Community & Support

The move from Grade 8 to Grade 9 is a major milestone that is exciting, empowering and full of possibility. At the HDSB, we understand that starting high school is more than just a change in schedule; it's the beginning of a journey that will shape who you become, both in and beyond the classroom.

Burlington Central's caring educators, dynamic programs and community is invested in every student's success and is committed to supporting their journey from first entering grade 9 to graduation day. Our guidance and support staff are dedicated to encouraging and empowering all students as they embark on carving their own path in high school.

Guidance & Student Services

Programs & Pathways

There are five Pathways that students may choose to pursue after secondary school and they are all valued equally. They are Apprenticeship, College, Community, University and Work.

Through Pathways students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities provided in secondary school to know themselves, identify strengths, set educational and career goals and create a Pathways plan to achieve them. Pathways helps develop learning opportunities and programs in such a way to value all learners, all choices and all destinations.

Working independently, with their guidance counselor or with support staff, Burlington Central students are encouraged to leverage all areas of programming, both academic and cocurricular, to plan a future that fits their individualized goals and aspirations.

Spotlight on Burlington Central

Valuable learning experiences taking place at Burlington Central

Burlington Central School Student Wins Canada's 2026 National Brain Bee Championship

HDSB Students Shine at Annual Students in the Spotlight Showcase

Co-op in the HDSB — YourTV Halton

Three HDSB Students Recognized for Metalworking Excellence

Why Choose HDSB?

The Halton District School Board (HDSB) consistently performs as one of the top school boards in Ontario. Each student’s path to success looks different and at the HDSB we are committed to laying the foundation for students to pursue and be supported in their passions. We recognize that critical learning skills happen outside the classroom, which is why we strive to provide our students with a fulsome educational experience.

Whether your child is just beginning their school journey or preparing for graduation, the Halton District School Board is here to support their growth, well-being and success every step of the way.