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Courses and Special Interest Programs

Our academic curriculum offers a full range of course selections in the areas of mathematics, science, languages and social science, while providing flexibility to be fully engaged in an arts major. Students must balance a rigorous academic workload with numerous extra curricular activities.

Students graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and are very successful in gaining admission to post-secondary institutions, including universities, colleges and arts schools. Over 80 per cent of our students pursue post-secondary studies at the university level in such disciplines as: engineering, music, life sciences, visual arts, economics, philosophy, journalism, drama and film. Etobicoke School of the Arts is very well known in North America and Europe. In May 2010, the Fraser Institute named ESA the top academic school in the GTA. Our students also excelled on the Provincial Grade 10 Literacy Test and on the Grade 9 EQAO Results.

Special Interest Programs

Students can opt to pursue a special interest in contemporary art, dance, drama, film, instrumental music, or music theatre. Students work with our staff in exciting and dynamic environments known for being vibrant, engaging, welcoming and extremely busy. Students study a minimum of two special interest art credits in Grades 9 to 11 and can opt for one art credit in Grade 12.

Program Selection Requirements

Students need 30 credits to graduate. All students in grades 9 to 11 inclusive will be expected to take a full program of eight credits each year. Course changes can be made only until the end of September. Grade 12 students must take a minimum of six credits. See Program Requirements by Grade for specific details. If you have any questions, please visit Student Services.

Scheduling: Academic Courses and Events

We are a semestered school with a Week 1, Week 2 timetable.

TDSB Resources

You may find some of these links helpful in reviewing the course options and tools available to students.

TDSB page for ESA  This is the TDSB page for ESA.

ESA Course Charts   Each course links to a pop-up which provides details about the course.

Choices  The Secondary School Course Selection and Planning Guide.    Organized by subject area, it will redirect you back to the Course Charts by school to see what the specific school is offering.

On-line School Library  There are also links to useful external resources.

School Year Calendar  This shows dates for breaks, PA days, etc.

My Blueprint  The TDSB Education Planner to help students map out their high school program.  Student log-in required.

Forms  Downloadable forms (e.g. 511C Parent/Guardian Permission for Excursion).