High School Registration for September 2026

(5-minute read)

October 2025

By L. Choi, Communications & Workshop Assistant, Family Care Office/ Faculty Relocation Services, University of Toronto

One minute you’re dropping your child off at kindergarten with a too-big backpack, and the next you’re helping them choose a high school. The leap feels huge, new buildings, new friends, new choices. And for parents, new deadlines to meet. If your teen will be starting high school in September 2026, here’s what you need to know to make the process less overwhelming.

Exterior of a beige brick high school building with large black letters spelling “HIGH SCHOOL” across the curved facade, a lamp post in front, and a tree with green leaves to the right.

The big picture

In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), every student has a local high school they can attend. But many families also look at special programs: arts, tech, French, Indigenous education, alternative schools, even International Baccalaureate. Some of these require applications, and the deadlines can sneak up fast.

Toronto District School Board (TDSB)

The TDSB is the largest public school board in Canada, with a wide range of program options. To find your local school, visit the TDSB website. You can also visit the TDSB Beyond 8 interactive website which provides an interactive guide for students, parents and guardians as you prepare for high school.

Program Options:

Alternative schools: The TDSB offers alternative schools with smaller class sizes and unique learning approaches. Admission is usually lottery-based, with applications opening in January for the following September.

Specialized programs: The TDSB offers specialized programs, mostly at the high school level. The application for September 2026 will open the week of November 10, 2025 and will remain open for three weeks. In-person open houses and virtual sessions regarding the application process will be offered during this time period to help with the selection process.

Indigenous Education Programs include Native Second Language programs and schools emphasizing Indigenous culture, history, and learning. Families should contact schools directly and can also reach out to the Urban Indigenous Education Centre for guidance and support.

French Immersion and Extended French: Available at select high schools as a continuation of elementary programs . Learn more about French programs.

Africentric Programs: Africentric Secondary Programs, offered at Winston Churchill CI (Leonard Braithwaite Program) and Downsview SS, focus on African and African Canadian perspectives, and families can apply directly to these schools.

Triangle Program: The Triangle Program is an LGBTQ2S+ focused alternative high school at Oasis Alternative SS that offers a safe, inclusive learning environment, and students can apply directly through Oasis.

See the full list of secondary programs.

Other school boards nearby

Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB): Find registration details on their website.

Peel District School Board: Offers Secondary Regional Learning Choice Programs. Application period: November 5 – November 26 at 3:00 pm.

Peel Catholic District School Board: Find registration details on their website.

What helps families most

Mark the dates. The windows are short and missing deadlines can limit your options.

Visit the schools. Walking through the doors tells you more than a website ever could.

Think about fit. The right high school isn’t always the closest one — and that’s okay. It’s common in Toronto for students to take public transit to high schools across the city.

The bottom line

High school is more than just the next step in education. It’s where your teenager will test out independence, explore passions, and start imagining their future. Your role? Stay on top of the deadlines, keep an open mind about program options, and walk alongside them as they make the leap. With the paperwork out of the way, you’ll have more space to enjoy the moment: your child is growing up, and high school is the start of a brand new adventure.

Questions?

If you are a student, staff, postdoc, faculty member at U of T, or a partner and have questions about the school system, contact the Family Care Office at 416-978-0951 or email family.care@utoronto.ca.