Application Process

Attention Grade 8/9 Applicants:

STEP 1: Apply online on the TDSB website

The application process for the 2026-2027 school year will open from Monday November 24th until Friday December 12th at 12pm. The link to apply is on the TDSB website beginning on November 24 th (TDSB Website).

 

Please check the TDSB website ( TDSB Website) for updates, the application and admission process, deadlines, and how to apply (program entry points, eligibility requirements, minimum report card benchmark, and the required demonstrations of knowledge and skill).

Please download and print the following document about the MaCS Program. 

MaCSGeneral Information


STEP 2: Applicant Eligibility

All Grade 8 and 9 Applicants are eligible to apply for Specialized Programs.

Applicants for Secondary Specialized Programs will have their February and June 2025 report card data included in the application. 

Fee-paying students who are registered at a TDSB school at the time of application are eligible to apply for Specialized Programs. Please contact  CentralPrograms@tdsb.on.ca if you have questions about eligibility.

Students are encouraged to attend Open House events and research the programs and schools before submitting their application. Applications are not considered on a first come, first served basis. Please take your time and carefully consider your choices before submitting.

Please note that transportation is the responsibility of the applicant.

If a student leaves a program after grade 9 then they must return to their home school based on their home address.

STEP 3: Secondary Mark Eligibility

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 (Benchmark Calculator) to verify their eligibility.

Meeting the report card benchmark, does not guarantee placement in a program. Only eligible applicants will have their demonstration of knowledge and skills evaluated and will be considered for seating based on their overall applicant score.
Applicants not meeting the report card benchmark will be notified by email.

 

STEP 4: Selection Process for Specialized Programs

 

  • All applicants must participate in a demonstration of knowledge and skills. Applicants meeting the report card eligibility requirements must participate in an in-person demonstration of knowledge and skills at their requested school.

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.  

Academic Achievement and Demonstration of Knowledge and Skills

Applicants will be selected for TDSB Specialized Programs based on their academic achievement in the 2024-25 school year and based on their level of skill and knowledge. 

An applicant's overall score will be based on specific marks (see chart below) from the 2024-25 school year (weighted for 30% of their applicant score) and their demonstration of knowledge and skills (weighted for 70% of their applicant score).

Report 2 (June 2025) marks will be used. When a Report 2 mark is not available, the Report 1 (February 2025) mark will then be used. TDSB students report cards will be uploaded by the TDSB electronically. Students not in the TDSB in June 2025 will upload a PDF of their report card when applying.

Marks and Demonstrations of Knowledge and Skills for Other Programs

Marks Included in Applicant Score

Demonstration of Knowledge and Skills

Average of Mathematics and Science & Technology

All applicants interested in Math, Science and Technology programs will be required to attend an in-person session for their demonstration of knowledge and skills on Monday, December 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. If applying to 2 different MST programs, only one in-person session will be required.

 

Entrance exam - the same exam will be used by all programs.

 

If you have any questions about the MaCS Program, please  contact the MaCS coordinator and attend our MaCS Information Night.

Application Choices

Students can select one type of Specialized Program in their application.

Applicants select one primary choice program and may also include an alternate choice.

If an applicant is accepted to their primary application, they will not be considered for their alternate choice.

If an applicant is offered a spot in their alternate choice, they will remain on the waitlist for their primary choice until the waitlists close.