Special Interest Programs – Arts Focus

Personal information contained on the application form or general information collected on behalf of the Toronto District School Board regarding the student is collected under the authority of the Education Act and in compliance with sections 14, 31 and 32 of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for education, transportation and health and safety purposes.

ESA Open House

Our in-person open house is scheduled on November 7 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. At our open house you can tour different spaces and speak to our arts focus teachers, visit our academic teachers in the gymnasium, and stop by our cafeteria to speak to our guidance department or get assistance with the online application. The evening also includes a chance to see one of two performances showcasing our art focus special interest programs. The first performance runs from 6:30 pm to 7:10 pm and the second one from 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm. Parents/Guardians of Grade 8 students can use this link to reserve a free ticket for themselves and their child for one of these two performances. Some tickets will also be available at the door that evening.

Key Application Details

• November 6, 2023: The Central Student Interest Programs online application opens on TDSB website.
• November 24, 2023: The TDSB Central Student Interest Programs online application closes at 4:00 pm.

• Eligible applicants will be included in the Centralized random selection process when the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats.
• Applicants can apply to one Primary program choice.  Applicants may also include an Alternate program choice in their application.
• Alternate choices will only be considered after all primary applications from the city of Toronto have been considered.
• If an applicant is accepted to their primary application, they will not be considered for their alternate application.
• If an applicant is offered a spot in their alternate choice, they will remain on the waitlist for their primary choice.
• As part of the random selection process:

• First Nations, Metis and Inuit applicants will be seated in their Primary application choice (at entry grade level).

• Priority seats will be set for historically and currently underserved communities (Black, Middle Eastern and Latina/o/x), as reflected in the TDSB demographic in the 2023 Student Census.

• Admission priority will be given to students who reside in the City of Toronto.