Welcome to T.A. Blakelock

Find Your Path. Build Your Future.

Welcome to Thomas A. Blakelock - a vibrant, inclusive and future-focused community with a proud tradition of academic excellence, innovative programs and a strong commitment to student empowerment. Proudly ranked in Ontario's Top 79 schools.

Simon Fraser Institute Rankings 2025

T.A. Blakelock High School

Thomas A. Blakelock High School is located in beautiful southwest Oakville and first opened its doors in 1957.

Our mission: The T. A. Blakelock HS community works together to inspire high achievement through quality programs, a supportive school environment and healthy relationships.

Our vision: Empowering students to achieve greater things.

We have a very diverse, multicultural population of just over 1,000 students and a long tradition of academic excellence complemented by a large and successful French Immersion program, four outstanding Specialist High Skills programs (Arts & Culture, Energy, and Information Communication Technology, and Health Care) and a wide variety of outstanding co-curricular experiences for students in the areas of Athletics, Arts, Drama, Music, and Technological Learning.

The leadership of the school is both shared and distributive. A School Effectiveness Council supports the work of teacher-led school improvement teams in such areas as Learning, Community Connections, Safety and Well-Being, Equity and Human Rights and Student Voice and Leadership. Our school has an extremely active Student Council which, by consulting regularly with other student leadership organizations and the school administration, ensures student voice is at the forefront of our key decisions influencing students' overall learning experience.

Academics

T.A. Blakelock 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 specialized programs at T.A. Blakelock.

I-STEM

The I-STEM program is a one-of-a-kind regional interdisciplinary program that provides experiential learning opportunities connecting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Developed in partnership with top universities and industry partners across the province, T.A. Blakelock's I-STEM program invites students from all over Ontario to take part in a program that elevates critical thinking, creative problem solving, collaboration skills, presentation skills and technical abilities.

T.A. Blakelock I-STEM students have received investor funding for their projects.

Advanced Placement

T.A. Blakelock is pleased to offer a selection of Advanced Placement courses that meet the needs of the students who are looking for a new challenge. With highly engaging and enriching learning opportunities and a world-renowned academic designation, we aim to help our students reach new heights and open doors, both locally and globally. Pre-AP courses in Math (MTH1WP) and Science (SNC1WP) will be offered to incoming Grade 9 students in September 2025.

Advanced Placement courses offer university-level content to students while attending ADS. Students in the AP pathway are encouraged to study topics at greater depth providing the opportunity to learn, and in some cases earn, university credits towards a post-secondary degree.

AP provides students with an opportunity for learning that goes beyond facts and figures. The rich course material, classroom discussion, and demanding assignments typical of AP courses will help your child develop the knowledge, learning skills, and critical thinking skills expected of university-bound students.

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.

T.A. Blakelock offers a broad selection of SHSM programs to their students, including: Arts & Culture, Engineering, Manufacturing & Robotics, Health and Wellness, Information and Communications Technology.

Cocurricular

At T.A. Blakelock, 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. T.A. Blakelock 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. T.A. Blakelock students are employed by businesses all over Halton to support their education in fields of work that interest them.

Co-op at T.A. Blakelock

Athletics

T.A. Blakelock offers a wide breadth of athletic programming for students and are recognized as fierce Halton competitors.

Athletics at T.A. Blakelock

T.A. Blakelock High School clubs and teams

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 T.A. Blakelock

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.

T.A. Blakelock'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, T.A. Blakelock 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 T.A. Blakelock

Valuable learning experiences taking place at T.A. Blakelock

Jonah Lim-Tran, Grade 11 T.A. Blakelock High School student and founder of the Makers Making Change club

T.A. Blakelock HS Student Uses STEM Skills to Support Accessibility

Petar Jokic, Melanie Heuft, JJ Rubanovich, Zayden Dindayal and Olympian coach Annamay Oldershaw, T.A. Blakelock High School swim team

Record-Breaking Swimming Season Fueled by Olympian Coaching at T. A. Blakelock HS

Michael Ekeng, T.A. Blakelock High School student, featured on CBC Radio's Here and Now for the 'We Are Canada' exhibit

T.A. Blakelock Student Michael Ekeng Highlights Black Excellence on CBC Radio

Amrutha Kosuri, Veera Kalsi and Emmy Nah, T.A. Blakelock High School I-STEM students, creators of the Bye-Catch shark-safe fishing net

T.A. Blakelock HS Students Attract Investors with Innovation Designed to Protect Marine Life

Community Pathways Program Soccer Baseball Tournament

T.A. Blakelock High School I-STEM students at the University of Waterloo Science and Business program partnership

T.A. Blakelock HS's I-STEM Program Partners with the University of Waterloo

Emmy Nah, Amrutha Kosuri and Veera Kalsi, Grade 10 T.A. Blakelock High School students, regional finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition

HDSB I-STEM Teams Selected as Regional Finalists in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition

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.