Co-op Application
TDSB and DMCI are gearing up for another successful year of co-op! If you are interested in taking co-op this year please take note of the information below.
Co-op is an amazing opportunity for all high school students, but students must be willing and able to advocate for what they want. Co-op placements are not simply there waiting to be filled. Rather, placements are found when the co-op teacher and student work together to find an arrangement suitable to the students strengths and needs, abilities and interests.
WHAT IS CO-OP?
Co-op is an experiential learning opportunity open to all students at DMCI. Regardless of a students post-secondary goal, co-op gives our students the opportunity to develop transferable skills, improve upon work habits and cultivate professional connections required for success. It helps them identify their strengths and interests and provides them with experience and knowledge that can assist with transitioning out of high school.
Co-op is a unique program which involves integrating academic study with practical experience in the workplace. Programming is based on a partnership between the school and business/organization and involves the commitment and participation of students, teachers, parents, and the workplace.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CO-OP FOR STUDENTS?
- a new learning environment
- gain valuable work experience
- awareness of workplace demands and needs
- develop self-knowledge, maturity and self-confidence
- develop and apply knowledge, skills and attitudes
- build a network for future employment
- earn credits towards secondary diploma
- be better prepared for post-secondary transition
- enhance acceptance possibilities to post-secondary or training programs
- the option to participate in special programs linked to the trades and begin your apprenticeship while still in school
HOW TO APPLY FOR CO-OP?
1. Include COOP on your course selection sheet or see your Guidance Counselor to make changes to your timetable.
2. Complete the Co-op Application
3. Submit your completed application with a copy of your Credit Counseling Summary (see Guidance) and a copy of your Resume to Ms. Veneziale in the DMCI Library or Library book drop off.
4. Students will be notified, by the Co-op Teacher, should there be an interview.
HOW DOES CO-OP WORK?
Students can earn 1 – 4 credits over the course of a semester. Students spend the first weeks of their semester in school preparing for their placement (pre-placement classes). Once placed students spend the majority of the semester at the workplace, with regularly scheduled in-school days (integration classes).
Pre-placement – first 2-3 weeks of the semester preparing for the workplace
- topics of study include Job Preparation, Health, Safety and Well-being in the Workplace, Rights and Responsibilities
- placements are assessed by the co-op teacher and students take part in placement interviews
Integration Classes – in class every 2 weeks (Monday)
- students are expected to participate in reflections and group discussions
- topics of study may include Job Market Trends and the Nature of the Workplace, Post-secondary Pathways, Financial Literacy, Leadership and Decision Making
Placement – approximately 4 months
- students work with their teacher to serach for a job, obtain an interview and secure a placement within a field of interest
- a students schedule will reflect the needs of their placement
- students work towards individual learning goals (discussed and agreed upon with employer)
- Co-op Teacher visits regularly to assess learning and provide feedback to the student
- Anyone 18 years of age or older who wish to work with vulnerable members of our community (children, seniors, people with disabilities) MUST complete an online Vulnerable Sector Check with Toronto Police Services BEFORE their co-op semester begins. See Ms. Veneziale for instructions on how to proceed.
CENTRAL PLACEMENTS (semester 1&2, 2025-2026)
The TDSB has partnered with a number of groups throughout the city to offer some excellent work placement opportunities. These are desireable co-op placements in high demand companies. Co-op teachers have no 'pull' or 'sway' with these programs and students cannot apply through any other means. Information about the placements and dealines to apply can be found here:
If you have any questions please contact your Guidance Counselor or Ms. Veneziale (natalie.veneziale@tdsb.on.ca) immediately
Accelereated OYAP opportunities are as follows ...
Thank-you to Our Co-op Partners
DMCI would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners past and present. Our students are always excited to start their work placements and contribute to their community.
- Active Green + Ross
- Apple Tree Dental for Kids
- Bay Cat & Dog Hospital
- Cadillac Fairview - Fairview Mall
- Champions Children Centre
- City Buick
- Cycle World Superstore
- DBK Salon (Leslie & York Mills)
- Distinctive by Design
- Donview Middle
- Elevated Body Adornment
- Enzo's Automotive
- Fitness Connection
- Gateway Electric
- Gateway PS
- GoodLife Fitness - Supercentre Women's Club
- Greenland PS
- Grenoble PS
- HA Pharmacy
- Insideout Health & Fitness
- Jack Astor's
- Katie's Cakes
|
- Laird Eglinton Dental
- Malcolm McGrath Cabinetry
- McCann Realty Group
- Norman Ingram PS
- North York General Hospital
- Oriole Landscaping
- Payne Law
- Physio-Dynamics & Sports Medicine
- Revelo
- Salvation Army Thrift Store
- Scarborough Toyota
- Shank's Plumbing
- Shoppers Drug Mart (Don Mills & Lawrence, VP & Ellesmere)
- Sloane PS
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- The Ten Spot (Shops at Don Mills)
- TNO - Food Cooperative
- Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club
- Toyota on the Park
- Toys R Us
- Yali Electric
- YMCA
|
If you are interested in learning more about the Co-op program at Don Mills CI or you would like to host a Don Mills student please contact Ms. Veneziale at natalie.veneziale@tdsb.on.ca.
"Co-op education is an essential part of the Experiential Learning component that students need for success. Students get to try on a career, get shown a real life workplace and learn about what kind of work they excel at."