How to Choose the Right West End Toronto High School in 2022

Toronto west end schools

There are a number of high schools in Toronto’s west end, each offering different programs and catering to a variety of interests & proficiencies. I have helped both my daughters navigate through this maze of grade 9 options, they each attended different high schools, but I am happy to report that they both made the right choice and ended up at the school that was the best fit for them.

To add to the confusion, the TDSB has changed their application process for specialized programs, so they are offering a virtual ‘Student Interest Programs Information Session’ on November 3rd, from 7-8:30pm. To further support students and families with the application process, central TDSB staff will be hosting three Centralized Program Admissions Support Sessions to answer any questions that students or families may have when completing the Centralized Program Application.  Live, online support will be available on the following dates: November 8 – 4-5:30pm (LINK), November 15 – 7- 8:30pm (LINK), November 24 – 4-5:30pm (LINK).

We have had an overwhelming response to this blog, which we originally posted in 2017 when I was going through this process the first time, so this year we have expanded it to include a few more west end schools.  We hope that you will find it to be a helpful guide to the varied (and sometimes overwhelming) choices available for secondary school education in Toronto's west end!

Specialty Programs & Key Dates

Bishop Allen Academy (Catholic)

  • Advanced Placement Program - an internationally recognized program that fosters success in higher education by encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills at the highest level

Bloor Collegiate

Virtual open house November 10th, 6:30-8:30pm

Etobicoke Collegiate

Virtual open house December 1st, 7-9pm

Etobicoke School of the Arts

In-person open house November 8th, 6-8pm

Father John Redmond (Catholic)

In-person open house October 13th, 6:30pm

  • Congregated Advanced Placement Program which enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue university-level courses while attending secondary school

  • Regional Arts Program in dance, drama, music & visual arts

  • applications are available as of September 26th and are due November 1st. Notification of acceptance to specialty programs is on December 2nd (wave 1) & December 9th (wave 2).

  • the school also offers a Gifted Program

     

Humberside Collegiate

Virtual open house December 15th,  6:30-8:30pm

West Toronto Humberside Collegiate

Humberside Collegiate

Martingrove Collegiate

Virtual open house December 6th, 6:30-8:30pm

Michael Power - St. Joseph High School (Catholic)

Parkdale Collegiate

Virtual open house November 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm

Richview Collegiate

Virtual open house December 8th, 6:30-8:30pm

Runnymede Collegiate

Virtual open house November 23rd, 6:30-8:30pm

Silverthorn Collegiate

Virtual open house November 10th, 7-9pm

Ursula Franklin Academy

In-person open house November 15th, 6-9pm

  • UFA is a small specialized school which has a focus or specialization in the following areas: Wednesday Enrichment Program, Math and Science Programming, Social Justice & Integrated Technology

  • the TDSB has changed their application process for specialized programs, students wishing to apply to the Integrated Technology program at UFA must now do so by applying to these Centralized Student Interest Programs through an online application that will be available from November 7-25.

  • UFA has a two-step admission process, in addition to completing the Secondary Centralized Programs Online Application, all students must then select one date on which they will attend an in-person admissions session. In-person sessions will take place on November 18th from 10am-12pm or on November 26th from 10am-12pm

  • if the number of students who are eligible to attend UFA exceeds the number of spaces available in any given year, all eligible students will be placed in a pool for a random draw (lottery)

west end toronto Western Technical Commercial School

Western Technical-Commercial School and Ursula Franklin Academy

Western Technical-Commercial School

Virtual open house November 17th, 6:30-8:30pm

Please click here, for a list of open houses at all TDSB schools.  Happy open housing and the best of luck to all of you.....high school is a whole other post ;).