Frequently asked questions about registration—Catholic Secondary Schools

When can students apply for secondary school?

In November of each year, Catholic Secondary School Application forms will be sent to all TCDSB elementary schools for grade 8 students to apply for grade 9 placement within the Toronto Catholic District School Board for the following September.

These forms are then returned by the grade 8 teachers to the Admissions & Placement Department on the due date indicated.

When do secondary schools make their selection?

Secondary schools make their selections usually by mid-February and notify students of acceptance through their elementary school principals.

When the student receives his/her acceptance package from the secondary school, he/she is asked to complete an option sheet to confirm the intention to attend that school and to pick courses for grade 9.

What if a school is oversubscribed?

If the student is not accepted due to oversubscription from students in the area, the redirection process begins, with every student being offered an alternative placement at the closest secondary school that still has available space.

Can students apply to a secondary school outside of their area?

Students who apply to a secondary school out of their area are giving up their right of acceptance to their local secondary school.  By the time they receive confirmation from their school of choice, their local secondary school may already be filled. The student would not gain automatic acceptance to their area school.

Procedures

The following steps are to be taken for a child applying for a secondary school (ages 14 to 18):

• All students applying for a secondary school are put on a waiting list. Catholic foreign students will be placed on a priority #5 waiting list; non-Catholic foreign students will be placed on a priority #7 waiting list.
• The applications are available through the Admissions & Placement Department, of the Toronto Catholic District School Board at 80 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• When application is made, the following documents must be attached: if applying as a Catholic applicant, a copy of the student's Catholic baptismal certificate (translated into English if necessary), and proof of Toronto residency for the family the student will be living with if accepted. An example of this is a telephone bill for the family, a hydro bill, ownership/lease for the family home, etc.
• When, and if, the student is accepted, the foreign student fee is payable. The foreign student fee for a secondary school in the 2007-2008 school year is $12,000.00. An acceptance letter will then be issued by the Admissions & Placement Department in order for the student to apply for a Student Authorization, which must be presented prior to the first day of school. If the student is denied this authorization, all monies will be refunded.

Application procedure for Visa Students

Foreign/visa students applying to TCDSB elementary schools (junior kindergarten to grade 8) must be Catholic with proof of their baptism, and they must reside in city of Toronto. As of January 23, 2008, non-Catholic foreign students can now apply to secondary schools within the Toronto Catholic District School Board and again, must reside in the city of Toronto if placed. Prior to this amendment, only Catholic foreign students could apply to our secondary schools. The Toronto Catholic District School Board does not provide boarding facilities within it's secondary schools.

If space is available, all our schools accept foreign students.

French Immersion and Extended French

There are two schools offering the French Immersion secondary school program: Bishop Allen and Senator O’Connor. The Extended French secondary program is offered in 11 schools. For more information, please contact our FSL department at 416-222-8282, extension 2540.

On what day does school begin?

School begins on the Tuesday immediately after Labour Day. 

What time do classes begin?

The start times vary from school to school. Your local school will provide specific information. 

Newcomers

Please contact the Orientation Centre at 416-393-5500. 

Direction of school support

At the time of registration, eligible parents will be provided with a form to ensure they are correctly identified as Catholic school supporters. For information about Direction of School Support, please contact Sandra Vitale at 416-222-8282, extension 2666.

• Direction of School Support Form

• Separate School Lease Form (to be completed only if one of the owners/tenants is not Catholic)