Grand Erie Secondary School Program Review
The Grand Erie District School Board is undertaking a Secondary School Program Review. The review aims to enhance student opportunities within Grand Erie by supporting all pathways for graduation, ensuring programs are aligned with the updated Ontario curriculum, meeting students' needs, and maximizing post-secondary opportunities for students. The review addresses opportunities to revitalize existing schools, address under-utilized space, and consolidate programming to ensure viability.
The initial phase of the Secondary School Program Review focuses on Brantford secondary schools.
A thorough examination of data included the four secondary schools in the City of Brantford:
- Brantford Collegiate Institute & Vocational School (BCI)
- North Park Collegiate & Vocational School (NPC)
- Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School (PJC)
- Tollgate Technological Skills Centre (TTSC)
During the data mining process, comparable data for Paris District High School (PDH) was included as there are a number of students from Brant County at TTSC whose designated secondary school is PDH.
After reviewing the available information, the program decision has been made that:
Effective September 2025, Tollgate Technological Skills Centre will not accept Grade 9 students. Students will register at their designated home schools.
The rationale for this decision can be summarized into four statements:
- To provide students with an opportunity to participate in de-streamed Grade 9 courses in their designated secondary schools.
- To provide students with a breadth of course options and pathways inherently available in schools with higher enrolment.
- To provide students with course options that maximize their post-secondary opportunities (with the current enrolment at TTSC, the school is not able to offer courses which would lead to post-secondary education).
- To provide students with the opportunity to participate in co-curricular activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: December 3, 2024
The families of current Grade 8 students in the Brantford and Brant area and on the reserves will receive a written communication in early December.
In December 2024, Grand Erie staff will contact the families of all students who selected TTSC for their Grade 9 placement to provide information and support for registering at their designated secondary school.
Staff members at TTSC have been informed. All school administrators have been informed.
The changes to the Grade 9 intake at TTSC are scheduled for September 2025. For September 2025, all incoming Grade 9s from Brantford and Paris will register at their designated school at their home address. Students residing on reserve will register at one of the schools outlined in the Education Services Agreements. Students may apply to other secondary schools through out-of-area applications in accordance with Board Procedure Request to Attend a School Outside the Home Area School SO-043.
Consultation has occurred through focus groups with staff, current and future TTSC students, and through online surveys with the families of all Grade 7 and 8 students.
Incoming students will be supported through our regular Transition Process. Elementary and secondary teams will meet to review student profiles and determine the next steps to promote a smooth transition into secondary school. Once students begin their secondary school journey, they will have access to resources such as Student Success Teachers, Guidance staff, Learning Resource staff, Indigenous Education staff, Specialized Services staff and other resources that support well-being and belonging, as required.
All students currently attending Tollgate in the regular program may choose to continue attending the school for Grades 10 to 12.
Students can attend their designated secondary school (as per their address) for the beginning of a school year. Should students wish to attend a school that is not their designated school, they may apply for an out-of-area exemption in accordance with the Board Procedure Request to Attend a School Outside the Home School Area SO-043. The out-of-area school administrator will review each request and determine if their school enrolment allows the request to be accommodated. Transportation for students attending an out-of-area school is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver.
For Grade 9, each student will take five (5) required compulsory courses and select three (3) elective courses. Elective courses will be available in the Arts, Business, Healthy Active Living, Family Studies, and Technological Education at each school. Schools may offer additional courses based on specializations or innovative program offerings.
Grand Erie, with the Ontario Ministry of Education, offers Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs for secondary school students in Grades 11 and 12. Students enrolled in SHSM programs must complete classroom courses, workplace experiences, and sector certifications to receive a special designation on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Each school has different SHSM programs approved by Grand Erie and the Ministry.
The Board offers 18 SHSM programs at the Brant and Brantford schools as follows:
- BCI: Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, and Manufacturing
- NPC: Construction, Health and Wellness, Information & Communications Technology, and Sports
- PDH: Construction, Environment, and Information & Communications Technology
- PJC: Arts and Culture, Environment, Hospitality, and Sports
- TTSC: Construction, Health & Wellness, Hospitality & Tourism, and Transportation
Each year, Specialized Services reviews the type and location of self-contained classes and determines where best to place these classes. Any changes to self-contained classes at Tollgate will be communicated to school staff and parents/caregivers.
Families can make inquiries through their school administration or at review@granderie.ca. This website will continue to be updated with new information.