At Grand Erie District School Board, our vision is to learn, lead and inspire as we build a culture of learning, well-being and belonging.
The Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 28,000 students in 58 elementary schools and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk, as well as secondary students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Our skilled, dedicated team includes more than 2,700 educators and support staff.
At the elementary level, from Grades 1–8, students develop literacy and numeracy skills for success in school and throughout their lives.
These early school years build a solid foundation for lifelong learning. As well, elementary students experience all the other benefits schools can provide – many of them outside the classroom. Students get involved in sports and creative pursuits, develop their problem-solving abilities, and learn important social and emotional skills.
In secondary school, from Grades 9–12, Grand Erie students can explore interests, develop skills and work toward goals – with a range of learning options.
The secondary school years are exciting and challenging, as young people – with the support of parents and teachers — begin making choices about what and how they want to learn. For many, it’s also when they start thinking ahead to post-secondary education and careers.
Learning doesn’t stop at 18. We’re here to support adults who want to continue their education.
No matter what your reason for restarting or continuing your secondary school education as an adult, we know it can be challenging – and the educators at Grand Erie can help.
The programs and services we offer in Grand Erie schools are designed to make them exceptional places of learning, growth, and belonging for all of our students. Our goal is to create enriching environments where our students can thrive.
Schools have always gathering places and vibrant hubs in their local communities. We’re committed to nurturing connections with our communities, recognizing that strong communities enrich and empower our students as much as classroom learning does.
Secondary School Program Review Results in Program Changes
Effective September 2026
In 2024-25, a Secondary School Program Review examined secondary programs and schools within the context of Grand Erie’s Long-Term Accommodation Plan. Consultation with students and staff coupled with a review of Grand Erie data and provincial research, identified several areas for program changes as noted below. A full report is available in the agenda of the September 12 Policy and Program Committee Meeting.
A. SECONDARY FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAMMING
(1) Effective September 2026, the secondary French Immersion programs in Brant/Brantford will be amalgamated at Brantford Collegiate Institute (BCI).
Rationale:
The amalgamation of the French Immersion programs located at Brantford Collegiate Institute & Vocational School (BCI) and North Park Collegiate & Vocational School (NPC) onto one site will increase course options for students
There is space at BCI to accommodate the amalgamated French Immersion program
NPC students entering Grade 12 in September 2026 will be provided with the option of transferring to BCI or remaining at NPC for one year.
(2) Effective September 2026, a secondary French Immersion program in Haldimand County will begin at McKinnon Park Secondary School.
Rationale:
To provide students in Haldimand County with a secondary French Immersion location closer to their homes
Most River Heights French Immersion students already live in the McKinnon Park catchment area and would be attending McKinnon Park for secondary education
As the students are already designated for McKinnon Park Secondary School, this new programming would have little impact on the overall enrolment at the school
B. TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Effective September 2026, Tech Hubs will be established at Cayuga Secondary School, North Park Collegiate & Vocational School, and Simcoe Composite School.
Rationale:
All secondary school students will have a designated Tech Hub school which they may choose to attend
Students across the district will have access to a broader range of technology courses
Students pursuing credits in all four pathways (apprenticeship, college, university and workplace) will have access to both hard and soft technology courses
The renewal cycle for technology equipment can be shorter in order to be responsive to emerging industry standards and innovation
C. ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
Effective September 2026, a single Alternative Education Program will be offered across the district, with locations in all counties as well as the City of Brantford.
Rationale:
Access to alternative education opportunities will be provided for students in Grades 11-12 across the entire district
Students will be able to engage in in-person and/or online courses daily
Students enrolled in alternative education will have the opportunity to take co-op courses
Program offerings and design will be as flexible as possible to meet students’ needs
D. NATIONS / NEW START
Effective September 2025, the NATIONS/New Start Campus program will be offered as a school within a school temporarily located at Hagersville Secondary School.
Rationale:
Access to a broader range of course offerings
Continued access to community connections
Students will continue to have access to a program with which they are familiar
Students will have the opportunity to register for a full eight-credit course load, if desired
E. VALLEY HEIGHTS TURNING POINT
Effective September 2026, the Turning Point Program at Valley Heights Secondary School will operate as a distinct program within the school and not as part of the Alternative Education Program.
Rationale:
The Low German Mennonite Community will continue to have access to a program with which they are familiar
Students will have the opportunity to register for a full eight-credit course load, if desired
Students will have increased access to courses that are not part of the current Turning Point offerings
F. TOLLGATE TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS CENTRE
Effective September 2026, there will be no Grade 10 intake for the program at Tollgate Technological Skills Centre.
Rationale:
To provide students with an opportunity to participate in de-streamed courses in their designated secondary schools.
To provide students with a breadth of course options and pathways available in schools with higher enrolment.
To provide students with course options that maximize their post-secondary opportunities.
To provide students with the opportunity to participate in co-curricular activities.
What is the advantage of merging the two French Immersion Programs at Brantford Collegiate (BCI) and North Park Collegiate (NPC) into one school?
Students will have a greater number of French Immersion course options when the programs are amalgamated as enrolment determines the number of staff allocated to the school to provide programming.
As a student at North Park Collegiate, may I stay at to finish my secondary education, including completing my French Immersion Certificate?
Students entering Grade 12 in September 2026, will be surveyed by December 2025 to determine if they wish to transfer to Brantford Collegiate or remain at North Park Collegiate for one year to finish their education.
Will transportation be provided for students moving from NPC to BCI for French Immersion?
Yes. Students who continue in the French Immersion program at BCI will continue to receive transportation.
As a student at NPC, I have been involved in athletics. If I transfer to BCI, will I be able to participate in athletics?
The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) is the provincial organization which determines eligibility to participate in school sports. If the board transfers a program from one school to another, OFSAA has indicated that the board can provide OFSAA with the names of students transferring with the program so that they become eligible for participation in athletics.
I have been attending Extended French and/or French Immersion at Simcoe Composite School (SCS). If I live within the McKinnon Park (MCK) French Immersion boundary, can I start attending the French Immersion program at McKinnon Park Secondary School?
In September 2026, French Immersion programming for students entering Grade 9 will begin at McKinnon Park Secondary School. In September 2027, Grade 10 programming will become available, and so on. Students who are currently enrolled at SCS will remain at SCS if they wish to complete a French Immersion/Extended French Certificate program.
Technological Education
Who can attend the Technological Hubs?
Each student in Grand Erie will have a designated Technological Hub school which they may choose to attend for their secondary school education.
Will transportation be provided to a Technological Hub school?
Transportation will be provided as per the Board’s Policy on Student Transportation. Generally, transportation is provided if a secondary student’s home is at least 3.2 km from their designated school.
Will technology courses continue to run at my current school if it is not designated as a Technological Hub?
The technology courses already in place across the district will continue to run if students register for those courses.
Alternative Education
What is Alternative Education?
A: Alternative Education is a program for senior students (Grades 11, 12, 12+) who would benefit from an alternative program structure that differs from the regular programming in secondary school. Students participate in in-person and/or online courses as well as co-op placements, where appropriate. Generally, the courses are geared towards students who plan to enter the workforce immediately following secondary school.
Where does Alternative Education programming occur?
Alternative Education occurs in each area of the board. The classes are either held within a secondary school or at a location within the community.
NATIONS/New Start
How do students become involved with NATIONS/New Start?
Students become involved through a referral from the home school.
What are the key changes in the NATIONS/New Start program?
Students in NATIONS/ New Start will continue to have access to alternative education programming.
Additionally, students will have:
The opportunity to register for up to an 8-credit course load
Access to additional course offerings
Community Connections (e.g. Dajoh, Haudenasaunee Lacrosse)
The NATIONS/New Start Campus program will be offered as a school within a school temporarily located at Hagersville Secondary School.
Valley Heights Turning Point
What is Valley Heights Turning Point?
Valley Heights Turning Point is a program which welcomes students from the Low German Mennonite community into the school to participate in courses with their peers.
What are the key changes in the Valley Heights Turning Point program?
The changes to the program are three-fold: (1) Students will have the option of participating in designated Turning Point classes; (2) Students will have the option of participating in “main campus” classes; and (3) Students will have access to a broader range of classes and the ability to access a full timetable.
Tollgate Technological Skills Centre
How will the program decision be communicated to parents/caregivers, staff and students?
The families of current students at Tollgate will receive a written communication in October. Staff members have already been informed of this decision.
Can current Grade 10 students continue at Tollgate?
If current Grade 10 students have all mandatory Grade 9 and 10 courses, they may choose to register at Tollgate for Grade 11 and 12 courses.
What are the mandatory Grade 9 and 10 courses?
Grade 9: English, Math, Geography and Science
Grade 10: English, Math, History, Civics and Careers
Note: Additionally, students are required to have one Physical and Health Education credit, one Arts credit, and another Science credit.
If I currently attend Tollgate, what is the process for attending my home school?
In winter 2026, students will register for courses for the 2026-27 school year. At that time, students may discuss registering at their designated home school with a Guidance Counsellor. Families may determine their designated home school by using the School Locator.
What happens to the Grade 11 and 12 programming at Tollgate?
Student registrations will determine Grade 11 and 12 course offerings.
Will the self-contained specialized class relocate from Tollgate to another school? If so, how will parents/caregivers be informed?
Specialized Services review the types and locations of self-contained programs annually and determines where best to locate these classes. Any changes to the self-contained program located at Tollgate will be communicated to school staff and parents/ caregivers at the same time as all other self-contained program decisions are being made.
Details pertaining to each program decision will be shared with students, families and staff once operational details have been finalized.
