French Immersion
Nelson offers French Immersion for students continuing their studies from elementary school, building fluency and cultural understanding alongside their Ontario curriculum courses.
Learn More About French Immersion at Nelson
Nelson High School
Nelson High School is a vibrant, inclusive community where students are supported to achieve academic excellence, personal growth and meaningful engagement in a changing world.
Nelson High School in Burlington, Ontario, is a vibrant and welcoming community within the Halton District School Board. Dedicated to academic excellence, Nelson offers a broad curriculum designed to meet the diverse needs of students, combining strong core courses with specialized programs, cocurriculars and supports for student wellbeing. Our school prides itself on fostering both intellectual growth and personal development so each student can achieve not only success in examinations, but also readiness for post-secondary life, the workforce and global citizenship.
At Nelson, the aim is simple but powerful: to prepare learners to excel and contribute meaningfully in a rapidly changing world. Whether through innovation in classroom technology, support for community service or recognition of individual student achievements via programs like the Nelson Medals, we celebrate growth, effort and success. When you join Nelson, you join a community that values curiosity, respect and kindness — a place where students are challenged, supported and inspired to become their best selves.
Academics
Nelson students learn across a full range of academic and applied pathways, with programming designed to build both strong results and real-world skills.
Advanced Placement
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program will give motivated students the opportunity to experience university-level learning while still in high school. AP courses are designed to challenge students to think critically, communicate effectively, and develop the academic skills needed for postsecondary success.
Nelson offers AP-Prep programming in all core subjects for Grade 9 and 10 students, providing a strong foundation for advanced learning.
Learn More About AP at Nelson
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.
Nelson offers a broad selection of SHSM programs to their students, including: Sports, Transportation, Arts & Culture and Hairstyling.
Learn More About SHSM at Nelson
Cocurricular
At Nelson, 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. Nelson 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. Nelson students are employed by businesses all over Halton to support their education in fields of work that interest them.
Athletics
Nelson offers a wide breadth of athletic programming for students and are recognized as fierce Halton competitors.
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.
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.
Nelson'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.
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, Nelson students are encouraged to leverage all areas of programming, both academic and cocurricular, to plan a future that fits their individualized goals and aspirations.
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.