Application and Admissions Process

TDSB has a wide range of Elementary Alternative Schools available to students. Families are encouraged to research schools and programs to learn about the educational philosophy and distinct pedagogy before completing the online application.

Elementary Alternative Schools will hold information sessions and/or open houses for students, parents/guardians/caregivers from November to January. Visit the Elementary School Open Houses and Information Nights web page for dates and times. If the school is not hosting an open house or information session, please contact the school directly for information about the Elementary Alternative School.

Note: Student’s Primary Home Address is the address where the applicant is currently residing. If you own property in Toronto, but tenants reside at this property, you may not use this address as a claim of Toronto residency. You must apply based on the current address where you live. If your current TDSB school does not have this address on record, please provide them with documentation to support the proof of residency immediately.

Online Application Process

The online application form opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The deadline to apply is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

Students applying for Elementary Alternative Schools Admissions in JK should also register at their local/designated school by primary home address in case they are not selected at their requested Elementary Alternative School. If selected, the parent/guardian/caregiver must notify their local school.

Applicants can apply up to two (2) schools: a PRIMARY school choice and an ALTERNATE school choice. The Alternate choice is optional. A complete list of Elementary Alternative Schools is available on the TDSB’s Elementary Alternative Schools webpage.

The Alternate school choice will only be considered after all primary school choice applications have been considered in accordance with our priorities (see section Elementary Alternative Schools Admission Priorities). 

Applicants from outside the TDSB, except for City of Toronto JK applicants, will only be considered after all TDSB applicants have been considered for their Primary and Alternate school choices.

Seats are generally available in the entry grades of each school (i.e., Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Grade 7).

There are very limited seats available in other grades. If there are available seats in the non-entry grades, applicants will be entered into the Random Selection Process. If there are no seats available, applicants will be notified by email prior to the Random Selection Process.