YCDSB Secondary School Open House Schedule

This fall, the York Catholic District School Board will host a series of in-person high school open houses for parents and graduating elementary school students starting secondary school next September. All Grade 8 students and their parents who reside in York Region, as well as Grade 6-8 students and their parents who reside in the towns of Georgina and Whitchurch-Stouffville, are encouraged to review the list of high school open houses and attend the open house for their local Catholic high school and its regular program, as well as any others with regional programs of interest.

The open houses will highlight important key aspects of each school, including administration, programs, graduation requirements, uniforms, school structure, student opportunities and more. Information about the registration process, including registration dates, deadlines and documents needed to enrol, will also be discussed at the open houses. This information is also available through the Board’s Admissions Department. Admission to York Catholic high schools is open to all students residing in York Region, in accordance with the rules governing open access and a student’s right to attend.

York Catholic high schools are highly sought after for their academic programs focusing on well-being, equity and inclusion. York Catholic District School Board has the highest English-language graduation rates in the province, and admission is competitive. Our high schools are well-known for their innovative programming, caring staff who help guide students, leadership opportunities, engaging student life and our Board’s consistency as one of the top-performing school boards in Ontario.

Parents and students wondering which York Catholic high school serves their local community can enter their residential address into the Board’s School Locator at: http://locator.ycdsb.ca/.  Following is a list of all high school open houses.

York Catholic High School Open Houses

Please note:  

• A description of regional programs can be found below the following chart. 
• All schools have a Specialty High Skills Major (SHSM) program (St. Katharine Drexel’s SHSM program will commence with its first grade 11 class in 2025-26)
  

York Catholic offers seven regional programs and ten Specialist High Skills Major programs as follows:

•  Advanced Placement (AP) / Program for Academic and Creative Extension (PACE) – Programs with an extended and enriched curriculum that allow students to earn credits or advanced standing at most universities.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD) – English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development programs assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and educational backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.
• French Immersion (FI) – Students who completed the Elementary French Immersion program or equivalent, can continue with the immersion program to earn a French Immersion certificate upon graduation.
• High Performer Athlete (HPA) – An academic-based program for student-athletes participating in competitive-level athletics. Students benefit from a flexible timetable to help balance their academic and athletic commitments and earn high school credits for the work they put into their training.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) – A rigorous and intellectually challenging pre-university course of study that allows students to earn an IB Diploma upon graduation, recognized in Canada and abroad.
• Regional Arts (RAP)/ Integrated Regional Arts Program (iRAP) – Students specialize in drama, dance, visual arts, digital media arts, instrumental music or vocal music, while obtaining their high school diploma. In the Integrated Regional Arts Program (iRAP), students experience their learning through an integrated model where the curriculum is explored in relation to the interconnectedness of the individual, the community and the world.
• STREAM Program – This academic program uses an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning. Real-world challenges and design-thinking processes foster critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication skills, guided by the traditional principles of Catholic social teachings.
• Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Students can obtain a diploma with a specialist in either: Arts and Culture; Aviation and Aerospace; Business; Construction; Health and Wellness; Hospitality and Tourism; Information and Communications Technology; Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services; Manufacturing; or the Non-Profit. All YCDSB schools have a SHSM program (St. Katharine Drexel’s SHSM program will commence with its first grade 11 class in 2025-26).