Grade 8-9 Transition

Grade 8-9 Transition

                                          Wondering about Grade 9? Want answers to questions? 


Beyond Grade 8 Resources for Families

Visit the Grade 8-9 web page for additional information. 

Family Resources

 myBluePrint!

  • MyBlueprint: https://app.myblueprint.ca/?sdid=tdsb Be sure to select "School Account Log In"
  • How to use My Blueprint for course selections:  https://youtu.be/ZtukY2TAn8g
  • Attached is a PDF file...on page 8 it gives you the required credits to complete before graduation.
  • Other information can be found on the TDSB website link "Beyond Grade 8": https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Beyond-8
  • Please note that there are no longer Applied and Academic courses; everyone takes the same courses. 
  • For students with IEP's they may want to choose the GLE (Learning Skills course) as one of their 8 choices. 
  • For students in special programs (ie. MaST, IB, etc.) there are often specific courses they are required to take.

 

Grade 8 is a significant milestone in your child's educational journey, marking the transition from middle school to high school. It is a time of growth, new challenges, and exciting opportunities as students prepare for the next chapter in their academic lives. We understand how important this transition is for both students and their families.

Throughout the school year, we will be sharing important information regarding your child's transition to high school. We are here to support both you and your child during this process. If you have any questions or concerns at any point, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

You can also visit the TDSB Grade 8 to 9 Transition webpage with helpful information and upcoming information sessions, important dates, etc. 

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Beyond-8

Mr. Rea, our Guidance Teacher, are Grade 8 staff and the admin team are here to support the students and their families. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. As soon as we have important information we will share it with you. Currently, Mr. Rea is helping students create their myblueprint online platform that students use to make their course and school selections. 

https://education.myblueprint.ca/tdsbgrade8/

Useful Links: 

Secondary Program & Admissions

If you have questions about a specific secondary school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.

Note: Please check the above open houses  page regularly, as schools will continue to post information about open house dates/times.

French Language Programs

Secondary Central Student Interest Programs - TDSB students have access to programs that offer unique opportunities and focus on a variety of interests. The TDSB offers Central Student Interest Programs that are focused on the Arts, Math, Science & Technology, Leadership and more! All students with an interest in the program focus are invited to apply!

The link to the online application for September 2025 will be posted here and will open on November 4, 2024. The application can be found on the CSIP Website.

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Secondary-Central-Student-Interest-Programs

The application will remain open until Friday, November 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

All on-time applications will be processed and weighted equally.

Late applications will not be accepted.

The TDSB offers over 50 programs with a particular focus. These programs are for anyone who demonstrates an interest and passion in the particular program area.  The Central Student Interest Program Webinar will provide more information about local programs, out-of-area admissions and applying to central student interest programs, including:

  • Arts Focus Programs/Schools
  • Exceptional Athlete Program
  • Integrated Technology School
  • International Baccalaureate Programs
  • Leadership Pathway Program
  • Mathematics, Science & Technology Programs
  • Other programs such as High Performing Athlete Programs

Central Student Interest Program Application Support Sessions to answer questions that students or families may have about the application.  Live, online support will be available on the following dates:

NOTE: Staff will not be able to answer specific program and/or school-based questions. 

New! Secondary Schools Without a Boundary

The legacy technical and commercial boundaries for the five schools listed below have been dissolved to expand access to all students in Toronto. Beginning with admissions for September 2025, all interested students must apply for entry to a Secondary School without a Boundary (SSWAB) regardless of where they live.

The Secondary Schools without a Boundary are:

  • Central Technical School
  • Central Toronto Academy
  • Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute
  • Western Technical-Commercial School
  • Northern Secondary School*

* Students wishing to attend Northern Secondary School who do not live within the Collegiate boundary for that school must apply through this process to attend Northern Secondary School.

The technical and commercial boundaries that are currently showing on the “Find Your School” site only apply for entry during the 2024-25 school year. They do not provide access for those starting in September 2025.

The application for SSWAB can be found within the Secondary Out-of-Area Admissions application. Applicants can opt to apply for:

  • One Out-of-Area Option
  • One Secondary School without a Boundary Option
  • Both an Out-of-Area option and a Secondary School without a Boundary option

If applying to both and if offered a seat in both, applicants may only accept the seat at one school.

The decision to decline a seat cannot be undone.  

*NEW*Programs and Admissions at Secondary Schools search tool 

  • Search by "Secondary School" to see:
    • Programs offered at the school 
    • How to apply or access the program (if applicable)
    • The application timelines (if applicable)
    • Local programs offered by schools are not included in this list.

*NEW* Arts course search tool 

  • Search by "School Name", "Arts Area", or "Specific Area/Course" to learn more about Arts options that are available to you.

*NEW* Technology course search tool 

  • Search by “School Name”, “Tech Area”,  or "Specific Area/Course" to learn more about Technological Education options that are available to you.


 Choices Planning for Grade 9 Booklet.

 The legacy technical and commercial boundaries for the five schools listed below have been dissolved to expand access to all students in Toronto. Beginning with admissions for September 2025, all interested students must apply for entry to a Secondary School without a Boundary (SSWAB) regardless of where they live.

The Secondary Schools without a Boundary are:

  • Central Technical School
  • Central Toronto Academy
  • Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute
  • Western Technical-Commercial School
  • Northern Secondary School*

* Students wishing to attend Northern Secondary School who do not live within the Collegiate boundary for that school must apply through this process to attend Northern Secondary School.

The technical and commercial boundaries that are currently showing on the “Find Your School” site only apply for entry during the 2024-25 school year. They do not provide access for those starting in September 2025.

The application for SSWAB can be found within the Secondary Out-of-Area Admissions application. Applicants can opt to apply for:

  • One Out-of-Area Option
  • One Secondary School without a Boundary Option
  • Both an Out-of-Area option and a Secondary School without a Boundary option

If applying to both and if offered a seat in both, applicants may only accept the seat at one school.

The decision to decline a seat cannot be undone.  

*NEW*Programs and Admissions at Secondary Schools search tool 

  • Search by "Secondary School" to see:
    • Programs offered at the school 
    • How to apply or access the program (if applicable)
    • The application timelines (if applicable)
    • Local programs offered by schools are not included in this list.


*NEW* Arts course search tool 

  • Search by "School Name", "Arts Area", or "Specific Area/Course" to learn more about Arts options that are available to you.


*NEW* Technology course search tool 

  • Search by “School Name”, “Tech Area”,  or "Specific Area/Course" to learn more about Technological Education options that are available to you.

 

A. High School Open Houses and Information Nights 

(LINK) https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Open-Houses-and-Information-Nights

To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host in-person open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and January.

Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses.

If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.


 1. TDSB Grade 8-9 Transition Webpage

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Beyond-8

2. Find your School

Find your designated school by address and explore other educational opportunities available through the TDSB.Find your school link: 

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School

3.  Check out our Bowmore-specific 8-9 Transition website at bit.ly/Bowmore8-9. 

In the coming weeks and months, Grade 8 teachers, school administration, a TDSB Middle School Student Success Counsellor, and an Indigenous Student Graduation Coach will be supporting Bowmore's Grade 8 students to learn more about choices for high school, help with course selections, and answer questions about the transition to high school. We will also be organizing visits during the school day to a number of local high schools. 

4. myBlueprint 

(A web-based planning tool), designed to assist in the educational planning that is required to make informed decisions about your Grade 9 course selections.

 

Giftedness Program School Finder

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Gifted-Program-School-Finder

Secondary School Boundaries for Students with Giftedness Exceptionalities

Please Note:  Students for whom a gifted Intensive Support Program (ISP) is recommended, through the TDSB Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC) process will be offered a placement in an ISP. The Street Guide Link to Area Secondary Gifted Intensive Support Programs and the associated map are for students who have been offered a placement in an Intensive Support Program (ISP) and accepted the program placement.

For those students who have been recommended a Gifted ISP placement through the TDSB IPRC process, parents can use the link below to find their Secondary Gifted ISP site location.  It is possible that a program in any given site can reach capacity, which may result in some students being directed to another site location with available program space.

Map Search

Please enter your full street address into the search field to determine your eligible secondary school. 

The following address format is required for a proper match - full street address including street number, street name, city, province and postal code.

i.e. 5050 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M2N 5N8

 Grade 8-9 Transition for Special Education/Gifted Program at Bowmore P.S.

  • The gifted program for our area is located at Birchmount CI
  • If you live north-west of Danforth and Woodbine the gifted program is located at Northern SS

Click on the link below and type in your address to confirm:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Gifted-Program-School-Finder

Local high schools with specific programs have an application process.  It is recommended that students and their parent(s) or guardian(s) attend one of the information sessions for these programs: