HDSB High School Info Nights in November – Everything Families Need to Know

For families in Halton District School Board (HDSB), November is a busy month. Block off your Thursday nights, as most of the open houses will be taking place then, with each high school typically hosting one primary event. Information nights are very helpful in the decision-making process for students, parents and caregivers. HDSB is hosting in-person information sessions at their schools in Acton, Burlington, Halton Hills, Georgetown, Milton, and Oakville. While we know this transition can be a big step for grade 8 students, the Teachers on Call in-person and online tutoring service is here to help. We know a lot about schools from tutoring students for almost 40 years and having a team of tutors who are Ontario Certified Teachers. Read on for details on programs offered, 2023/24 application and admissions process, as well as a complete list of high schools offering in-person information sessions this November. 

While the 2024/2025 academic year may seem far away, information sessions for HDSB Secondary Schools take place annually in the fall, and primarily in November (at least this year). Our online and in-person tutoring service always suggest doing your homework by checking out the websites and social media, as well as visiting the open houses together as a family for all schools of interest. These are great opportunities to chat with teachers, administrators, and current students, as well as meet prospective classmates. It’s also important to note that these diverse high schools offer a multitude of programs, so a good time to bring your questions. To get you started, this blog covers a breakdown of several HDSB academic programs, key dates, and a schedule for in-person open houses.

HDSB Secondary School Programs

HDSB offers students a range of regional and specialized programs at select schools. Some of these programs require applications to be submitted by a specific deadline. For example, IB and I-STEM programs have deadlines of December 4, 2023. Here is a breakdown of some popular program options in HDSB.

Advanced Placement Program

Advanced Placement programs give high-achievement oriented students an opportunity to take courses at the university level while still in high school. Completion of the AP exam may give students the opportunity to move ahead to the second-year level of subject in post-secondary education.

The following 4 HDSB schools currently offer AP courses or exams:

• Abbey Park High School in Oakville, Ontario
• Iroquois Ridge Secondary School (Please note: AP exams only) in Oakville, Ontario
• Milton District High School in Milton, Ontario
• Oakville Trafalgar High School in Oakville, Ontario

French Immersion Program

This program is optimal for students who were in the French Immersion program in elementary school who want to continue their students to become bilingual in English and French. High school students must earn a total of 10 credits in the French Immersion program to earn a Certificate of Bilingual Studies in Immersion.

Secondary Gifted Program (SGP)

HDSB offers a variety of special education programs for students of diverse abilities, including Gifted-clustered (or SGP). Classes are offered at select HDSB Secondary Schools for students with a formal identification of Intellectual Giftedness. When space permits, there may be a limited number of spots for Highly Able students.

SGP classes are offered for the following courses:

Grade 9: Math, Science, English and Geography

Grade 10: Math, Science, English and History

Grade 11: Math and English

Grade 12: English

Specialist High Skills Major

This ministry approved program is for students to concentrate their studies on an economic sector at the same time they meet regular requirements to graduate high school. It is intended to help students with transition after high school to either apprenticeship training, college, university, or the workplace.

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is meant for highly academic students who want additional challenge and enrichment. The graduation diploma is recognized globally and may be helpful for students who are applying to universities in various countries, especially outside of Canada. All four HDSB Secondary Schools with the IB Programme offer the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), also known as pre-IB, for Grade 9 & 10 in preparation for the IB Diploma Programme​ in Grade 11 & 12.​

IB Programme is Available for 2024 – 2025 at 4 HDSB High Schools:

• ​Burlington Central High School in Burlington​, Ontario
• ​​Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton​​, Ontario
• ​Georgetown District High School in Georgetown​, Ontario
• White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville​, Ontario

IB Application Dates

• October 27, 2023 - Online Application Opens
• December 4, 2023 - Online Application Closes​

I-STEM 

This four-year program is for geared to students interested in STEM learning, and meant to help develop problem-solving, critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills.

I-STEM is Available for 2024 – 2025 at 4 3 HDSB High Schools:

• Aldershot High School in Burlington, Ontario
• Elsie MacGill Secondary School​​ in Milton, Ontario
• ​T.A. Blakelock High School in Oakville, Ontario

I-STEM Application Dates

• October 27, 2023 - Online Application Opens
• December 4, 2023 - Online Application Closes​

Complete List of HDSB Secondary School Open Houses in November 2023

Here is a full list of HDSB high school information nights being hosted in November 2023, most taking place on Thursday evenings. We recommend checking the school website closer to the date in case of scheduling changes.

Oakville – HDSB East Area Secondary Schools

Abbey Park High School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM

Address: 1455 Glen Abbey Gate, Oakville, ON L6M 2G5 - Abbey Park High School is off of Third Line, located between the neighbourhoods of West Oak Trails and Glen Abbey. It’s situated beside the Glen Abbey Community Centre, which houses the Glen Abbey branch of the Oakville Public Library.

Regional Programs: Secondary Gifted Cluster

Garth Webb Secondary School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 2820 Westoak Trails Blvd, Oakville, ON L6M 4W2 – Off of Westoak Trails Blvd. serves the communities of West Oak Trails and Bronte Creek, close to West Oak Park and Arbourview Park.

Regional Programs: French Immersion, Secondary Gifted Cluster

Iroquois Ridge High School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 1123 Glenashton Dr, Oakville, ON L6H 5M1 - Located in the Joshua Creek Neighborhood of Oakville, Ontario

Regional Programs: French Immersion, Secondary Gifted Cluster

Oakville Trafalgar High School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 1460 Devon Rd, Oakville, ON L6J 3L6 - Located near Maple Grove Drive and Lakeshore Road East. OTHS services students from nearby feeder schools, including Maple Grove Public School, École E.J. James Public School, St Luke's Catholic Elementary School, St. Vincent's Catholic Elementary School and James W. Hill Public School, and independent schools in area.

Regional Programs: French Immersion, Secondary Gifted Cluster

T.A. Blakelock High School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 1160 Rebecca St, Oakville, ON L6L 1Y9 – Located off Rebecca Street in West Oakville.

Regional Programs: Community Pathways, ESL Centre, French Immersion,​ I-STEM* (beginning in 22/23)

Separate Information Date: I-STEM - Thursday October 26, 2023 - 6:30 PM

White Oaks Secondary School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 6:00 PM

Address: 1330 Montclair Dr, Oakville, ON L6H 1Z5 – Located near Trafalgar Road and Upper Middle Road East. The school has north and south campuses, across the road from each other.

Regional Programs: Community Pathways, ESL Centre, French Immersion, International Baccalaureate*, LEAP*, Locally Developed  

Separate Information Date: International Baccalaureate - Thursday October 19, 2023 - 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Halton Hills, Georgetown, Milton – HDSB North Area Secondary Schools

Acton District School

Date: Thursday November 2, 2023

Time: 6:00 PM

Address:  21 Cedar Rd, Acton, ON L7J 2V2 – Located in Halton Hills off Churchill Road North, near the Acton Curling Club.

Regional Programs: French Immersion

Craig Kielburger Secondary School

Date: Thursday November 9, 2023

Time: 6:00 PM

Address: 1151 Ferguson Dr, Milton, ON L9T 7V8 – Near Fourth Line and Louis St Laurent Avenue in Milton, Ontario.

Regional Programs: Community Pathways, ESL Centre, French Immersion, International Baccalaureate*, LEAP*, Locally Developed 

Separate Information Date: International Baccalaureate - Thursday October 19, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Elsie MacGill Secondary School

Date: Thursday November 9, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM

Address: 1410 Bronte St. S, Milton, ON L9E 1B9 – Located near First Line and Britannia Road, close to RattleSnake Point Golf Club.

Regional Programs: Community Pathways, I-STEM*

Separate Information Date: I-STEM - Thursday October 26, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Georgetown District High School

Date: Wednesday November 8, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 70 Guelph St, Georgetown, ON L7G 3Z5 – Near Main Street S and 17 Side Road close to Halton Hills Public Library.

Regional Programs: Community Pathways, French Immersion, International Baccalaureate*, LEAP*, Locally Developed, Secondary Gifted Cluster

Separate Information Date: International Baccalaureate - Thursday October 19, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Milton District High School

Date: Thursday November 9, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 396 Williams Ave, Milton, ON L9T 2G4 – Near Ontario St S and Derry Road in Milton, Ontario.

Regional Programs: French Immersion, Secondary Gifted Cluster

Burlington - HDSB West Area Secondary Schools

Aldershot School

Date: Thursday November 9, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Grades: 7 - 12

Address: 50 Fairwood Pl W, Burlington, ON L7T 1E5 – Off of Lasalle Park Road and Plains Rd E, near LaSalle Park.

Regional Programs: I-STEM*

Separate Information Date: I-STEM - Thursday October 26, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Burlington Central High School

Date: Thursday November 9, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 1433 Baldwin St, Burlington, ON L7S 1K4 – Located off of Baldwin Street and Fairview Street in Burlington, Ontario.

Grades: 7 - 12

Regional Programs: ESL Centre, French Immersion, International Baccalaureate*

Separate Information Date: International Baccalaureate - Thursday October 19, 2023 - 6:30 PM

Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr, Burlington, ON L7M OM3 - Located in the northern area of Burlington, Ontario.

Regional Programs: Regular

M.M. Robinson High School

Date: Thursday November 9, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 2425 Upper Middle Rd, Burlington, ON L7P 3N9 – Located off of Upper Middle Rd and Highway 1.

Regional Programs: Community Pathways, Extended French, French Immersion, LEAP*, Locally Developed, Secondary Gifted Cluster

Nelson High School

Date: Thursday November 16, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM

Address: 4181 New St, Burlington, ON L7L 1T3 – Off of New St and Belvenia Rd, close to Nelson Park and Paletta Lakefront Park.

Grades: 9 - 12

Regional Programs: Community Pathways, French Immersion, LEAP*, Locally Developed, Secondary Gifted Cluster

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We hope you find this information helpful as you navigate next steps. If you have friends or family in Toronto exploring TDSB secondary schools, feel free to share this blog with them as well. Our team is always here to help, and this includes providing tutoring support or academic coaching to prepare for the transition to high school. Contact us whenever you are ready to get started!