Grade 8 to 9 Transition

As you navigate the following web pages you will find answers to a number of questions you may have about Grade 9 in the TDSB, including course types, and earning a secondary school diploma. We have also provided links to some of our other helpful websites for additional information you may be curious about. As well, you will be introduced to myBlueprint (a web-based planning tool), designed to assist in the educational planning that is required to make informed decisions about your Grade 9 course selections.

The Choices for 9: Interactive Guide student video will help you navigate the Beyond 8 webpages. Together with your parents/guardians/caregivers and teachers, you can use the Choices: Planning for Grade 9 digital magazine and the Choices: Secondary Program Guide to help you make important career life decisions.

Within our site, there are embedded video clips presented by some of our TDSB students that will further help to describe the information you need to prepare for Secondary School.

Your Grade 8 Transition Year-at-a-Glance

(dates are subject to approval)

November

• Grade 8 to 9 Transition Information Session for Grade 8 Families (November 1, 2023)
• Student Interest Program Information Session for Grade 8 Families (November 2, 2023)
• Central Student Interest Program Online Application is available (November 6, 2023)
• Central Student Interest Program Application Support 
• Deadline to submit the Central Student Interest Program Online Application (4:00 p.m. on November 24, 2023)
• Attend your Elementary School Transition Event (if applicable)
• Attend the Secondary School Open Houses and Information Nights
• Research Secondary Central Student Interest Programs, Alternative Schools and Local Programs in the TDSB
• Review the Beyond 8 - Grade 8 to 9 Transitions Resources
• Students with special education needs for whom a change in setting or program is being considered for grade 9 should be discussed at the School Support Team (SST) meeting (this meeting will occur with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the SST)
• Parent/Teacher interviews
• Complete Individual Pathways Plan task(s)

December

• Round 1
  • Deadline for parent/guardian to be informed of a Student Interest Program offer (December 7, 2023)
  • Deadline for parent/guardian to accept a Student Interest Program offer (December 13, 2023)
• Round 2
  • Deadline for parent/guardian to be informed of a Student Interest Program offer (December 14, 2023)
  • Deadline for parent/guardian to accept a Student Interest Program offer (December 20, 2023)
• Attend the Secondary School Open Houses and Information Nights
• Research Alternative Schools and Local Programs in the TDSB
• Complete Individual Pathways Plan task(s)

January

• Attend the Secondary School Open Houses and Information Nights
• Grade 8 to 9 Annual Reviews for all students with an Exceptionality (e.g., regular class or special education class)
  • Secndary Student Transition Planning
• Offers for grade 9 ISP programs will begin (e.g., congregated and integrated sites) (last week of January 2024)
• Students wishing to attend a school other than their designated school by address; Out-of-Area Online Applications are available (January 8, 2024)
• Out-of-Area Online Applications are due (January 26, 2024)
• Complete Individual Pathways Plan task(s)

February

• Grade 8 Course Selection Opens for all students via myBlueprint (February 5, 2024)
• Round 1
  • Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the Out-of-Area Application (February 7, 2024)
  • Deadline for families to confirm acceptance of the Out-of-Area offer (February 13, 2024)
• Round 2
  • Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the Out-of-Area Application (February 14, 2024)
  • Deadline for families to confirm acceptance of the Out-of-Area offer (February 20, 2024)
• Final round
  • Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the Out-of-Area Application (February 21, 2024)
  • Deadline for families to confirm acceptance of the Out-of-Area offer (February 23, 2024)
• No offers for Central Student Interest Programs or Out-of-Area Admissions will be made after February 21, 2024.
• Students must finalize their destination for secondary school (designated school by address, Central Program, Alternative School, Out-of-Area Admission) by completing and submitting the corresponding course selection for the accepted school in myBlueprint (February 26, 2024)
• Course selection deadline (February 26, 2024)
• Parent/Teacher interviews
• Complete Individual Pathways Plan task(s)

May / June

• Grade 8 Transition Events at TDSB High Schools
• Grade 8 Graduation
• Register for the Grade 8 Reach Ahead Course (optional)
• Inquire if your secondary school is hosting a Grade 9 Head Start to High School event
• Complete Individual Pathways Plan task(s)