International Baccalaureate (IB) is a Grade 11/12 university preparation program recognized in over 140 countries, including universities in Ontario and Canada.
Students concurrently study up to six challenging subjects that instill a global perspective with cross-cultural understanding. IB students learn through inquiry, and gain a sense of social responsibility, independence and critical-thinking skills vital to university studies.
IB students can apply for university credit, based on their results in IB examinations. Graduates gain both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and an IB Diploma.
The program is located at Ancaster High School and Westdale Secondary School. Learn more by visiting IBO.org.
IB Information Night
Information Night will take place on December 10, 2025:
Education Centre
20 Education Court, Hamilton
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Application will be available after December 10, 2025.
2026-27 IB Application Process
The International Baccalaureate program is open to all incoming HWDSB Grade 11 students. Students apply to their IB school based on catchment boundaries.
| On January 9, 2026 | IB Applications due to either Ancaster or Westdale depending on IB Boundaries. Applications are to be completed with the support of the student’s guidance counsellor to ensure that all pre-requisites have been met prior to September 2025. |
| By January 29, 2026 | Acceptance letters, registration packages and IB Option sheets sent to successful candidates (who do not currently attend Westdale or Ancaster). |
| On February 9, 2026 | Notification of acceptance from family due back to Westdale or Ancaster via email. The IB school will communicate to home/elementary school. |
You can find the catchment areas for HWDSB IB schools online.
If you have questions, please contact your home IB school’s co-ordinator:
IB at Ancaster – Ms. M. Toor – [email protected]
IB at Westdale – Ms. K. Parkes Hallmark – [email protected]
2025-26 IB Application Forms
To be added once the information night happens.
Updated on Thursday, November 06, 2025.