Welcome To All Things Grade 8 Guidance!
Important links:
Going to High School Link
FAQs
Find Your School
Open Houses
Upcoming Important Dates
- High School Open Houses - most occur by the end of January 2026
- Specialized Programs Application - November 9 - 27, 2026 at 4pm sharp
Secondary Programs at TDSB
Students will have the opportunity to explore several options for their Secondary Programs:
Specialized Programs
- What are Specialized Programs?
TDSB students have access to programs that offer unique opportunities and focus on a variety of interests. The TDSB offers Specialized Programs that are focused on the Arts, Math, Science & Technology, Leadership and more.
Learn more about each of the programs:
The on-line application for September 2027 will be open from November 9 - 27, 2026.
All In-Person Assessments will take place between December 7 - 17, 2026. No accommodations for travel will be made.
Selection Process for Specialized Programs
All applicants must participate in a demonstration of knowledge and skills.
- Arts - applicants must submit either a portfolio or a recorded audition with their application submission using the templates provided.
- All other Programs - applicants meeting the report card eligibility requirements must participate in an in-person demonstration of knowledge and skills at their requested school.
Academic Achievement and Demonstrations of Knowledge and Skills
Applicants will be scored based on their previous year’s report card results (30%) and their demonstration of knowledge and skills (70%). Applicants will be seated based on their application score. Elementary applicants will be scored only on their portfolio/audition video.
In order to be eligible, applicants can have no more than 2 of the following marks below the Provincial standard (70%)
- Language
- Math
- Science & Technology
- Geography
- History
- French (Average of 4 areas of achievement)
- Arts (Average of 4 areas of achievement)
- Physical and Health Education (Average of 2 areas of achievement)
Prior to applying, applicants can use the Benchmark Calculator to verify their eligibility.
Please visit the Central Program Admission Office website - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/cpao/
Out of Area Admission
- What is Out of Area Admissions?
Each TDSB student is designated a secondary school to attend based on home address. In some cases, provided the school is permitted to receive applications, you may decide to apply to attend a school other than your designated school by address. This is called Out-Of-Area Admission.
Learn more HERE
Secondary Schools Without a Boundary (SSWAB)
- What are Secondary Schools Without a Boundary?
In the former Toronto Board of Education, specific schools were established to provide technical and commercial programming. Currently, these former Technical and Commercial schools provide a full complement of courses and programs to support students on their journeys to University, College, Apprenticeship or the workplace.
Starting in September 2025, these schools became be available to all TDSB students via the Out-Of-Area Admissions application.
Learn more HERE
Course Selection
Course selection for September 2027 will take place throughout February 2027 at the school level.
myBlueprint
myBlueprint is a comprehensive education and career planning process that meets the learning needs, interests, and aspirations of all students. It is used in TDSB for students to create and maintain an Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) during Grades 7 to 12. The IPP becomes the planning tool for course selection, goal setting and postsecondary destination planning.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lindsay George, Guidance Liaison at 416-396-6365 or by email at lindsay.george@tdsb.on.ca.