Grade 7 & 8 Information Nights for Specialty Programs
Click here to learn more about school-based Grade 7 & 8 Information Nights.
Grade 7 and 8 students and families are invited to learn more about HWDSB programs at upcoming Grade 7 & 8 Information Nights for specialty programs!
Take your time to plan, with your family, so that you can work toward the pathway that will be best for you. At HWDSB, we believe in you, and in the ability of our staff to support you.
We provide choice through a variety of courses, programs, and pathways for students at their home school, including a number of Specialized (Tier 3) programs at various secondary schools.
HWDSB offers interested students transportation to these programs if they live out of the school catchment. Specialized Tier 3 programs are open to students beyond the school catchment based on their geographical location. Each specialized program will have a program boundary beyond the school boundary.
Information nights for the Audition-Based Arts Program (Glendale), Self-Paced/Self-Directed Programming (Westmount), and French Immersion (Sherwood and Westdale) are listed in the chart below. Students and families can also click through the the tabs to find more information, including details about application timelines, related to these specialty programs.
We look forward to seeing you!
| Information Night | Date | Time | Address | Flyer |
| Audition-Based Arts Program (Glendale) | Monday, November 21, 2022 | 6 – 8 p.m. | LOCATION CHANGE:
Now at Glendale Secondary School |
Program of the Arts Info Night |
| Self-Paced/Self-Directed Programming (Westmount) | Thursday. November 24, 2022 | 6 – 8 p.m. | 39 Montcalm Drive, Hamilton, Ontario L9C4B1 | Self-Paced Self-Directed Info Night |
| French Immersion | Tuesday, November 29, 2022 | 6 – 7 p.m. | 20 Education Court, Hamilton, Ontario L9A 0B9 | French Immersion – Info Night |
System Information Nights Flyer: 2022 General and Specialty Program Information Nights
More information about the Getting Ready for High School session will be shared in the coming weeks.
Audition-Based Arts Program (Glendale) – Information Session
Monday November 21, 2022
6 to 8 p.m. at Glendale Secondary School (LOCATION CHANGE)
The Audition-Based Program of the Arts (ABPA) trains students in all aspects of the arts while they major in one of eight disciplines: Dance, Dram, Production, Instrumental Music, Popular Music, Vocal Music, or Visual and Media Arts. In addition to required credits, students have experiential learning opportunities such as professional certification, collaborations on large-scale stage productions, and more.
For more information, visit our Audition-Based Arts Program webpage.
2023-24 Application Timeline
- Information Session: November 21, 2022
- Applications Due: December 16, 2022
- Auditions/ Portfolio Review: February 2, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (sign up times will be available)
- Acceptance Letters Sent: February 4, 2023
- Notification of Acceptance Due Back: February 11, 2023
- Completion of option sheets for 2023-24: February 15, 2023 at Glendale Secondary School from 6 to 8 p.m.
Self-Paced/Self-Directed Programming (Westmount) – Information Session
Thursday November 24, 2022
6 to 8 p.m. at Westmount Secondary School
Westmount Secondary School is a system school where students from across HWDSB strive to develop skills in the areas of goal setting, effective time management, and independent learning in a self-directed, self-paced structure. In this self-directed, self-paced learning environment, Westmount students are expected to manage their learning time and determine with teachers how to demonstrate their learning.
For more information, visit our Self-Paced/Self-Directed webpage.
2023-24 Application Timeline
- Self-Directed, Self-Paced Programming Information Session at Westmount: November 24, 2022 at 6 p.m.
- Letter of Intent to attend Westmount due for incoming Grade 9 students: January 13, 2023 at 3 p.m.
- Westmount communicates to elementary schools and parents which Grade 8s have been accepted: January 24 -27, 2023
- Course selection process opens in Course Planner (Xello) for the system: February 7, 2023
- Grade 8 Information/Option Sheet Night at Westmount: February 9, 2022
- Completed MS Form verification due to Westmount: February 21, 2022
French Immersion – Information Session
Tuesday November 29, 2022
6 to 7 p.m. at the HWDSB Education Centre
French Immersion is a proven way to gain excellent French language skills. The program is designed to provide English-speaking students with opportunities to become skilled at communicating in French as well as English. Available to students at Sherwood and Westdale, French Immersion teaches students to listen, speak, read, and write in French through real-world language opportunities.
For more information, visit our French Immersion webpage.
2023-24 Application Timeline
Families of students new to HWDSB should begin registering in February to ensure they receive a spot in the school’s French Immersion class.
Updated on Thursday, November 17, 2022.