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 School-Based Alternative Education is available for students in all secondary grades
- Access to System-Based Alternative Education is 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 2027, there will be no Grade 11 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.
A full report is available on page 16 of the September 28, 2026 Board Meeting Package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Secondary French Immersion
Technological Education
Students who choose not to continue their participation in the technology program are required to return to the secondary school in the respective catchment areas, or complete an out of area request. Transportation will not be provided.
Each student in Grand Erie will have a designated Technological Hub school which they may choose to attend for their secondary school education.
- Students in Brant County and the City of Brantford may attend North Park Collegiate and Vocation School.
- Students in Haldimand County may attend Cayuga Secondary School.
- Students in Norfolk County may attend Simcoe Composite School.
As part of the registration process, families are asked to complete a new transportation request form that can be found at bit.ly/techhubtranspo
Are you a current Grand Erie student in grade 8?
Current Grand Erie Grade 8 students have until February 13th, 2026 to designate their interest to a Technology Hub school for course selection with their Grade 8 teachers up to March 6, 2026.
Are you a current Grand Erie student in grade 9-12?
Current Grand Erie students have until February 13th, 2026 to designate their interest to a Technology Hub school for course selection in myBlueprint between February 23 and March 6, 2026.
Are you a new student to Grand Erie?
Students new to Grand Erie will discuss your course selection options when registering with the Technology Hub school.
Students attending a Technology Hub School are required to enroll in a minimum of one technology course during each academic school year.
All pathways are available for students attending a Technology Hub school: apprenticeship, college, community, university and workplace.
Please see the information on registration and select the process that best fits your scenario.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Monday January 5, 2026 or Earlier | Registration for Tech Hubs Open Gr 8 Course Selection Continues |
| Thursday January 15, 2026 | Tech Hub Registration Support Night (5:30pm – 6:30pm) |
| Friday February 13, 2026 | Last date to indicate Tech Hub interest to allow for course selection |
| Monday February 23, 2026 | Tech Hub Course Selection in myBlueprint opens for Secondary. Students |
| Thursday February 26, 2026 | Tech Hub Course Selection Support Night (5:30pm – 6:30pm) |
| Friday March 6, 2026 | Course Selection Closes at 3pm |
To view all Technology Offerings at the Technology Hub school please click on the following link:
Technology Hub Schools will offer a full range of technology courses
Students can pursue credits in all four pathways (apprenticeship, college, university and workplace.No prior experience is required unless there is a course prerequisite.
Yes! Technology Hub students are required to take one technology course each school year. Students are welcome to select other electives should there be room within their schedule.
Currently there are no fees associated with the program.
Currently the special designation for diplomas include a red-seal upon completion of a Specialist High Major, and a blue-seal for completion of OYAP-FAST.
Families are responsible for transportation after any co-curricular activity
Yes
All pathways are available upon graduation.
All credits earned while a student at a Technology Hub school will follow the student to their home school.
Course selection may be limited for students who apply to their Technology Hub school after March 6, 2026.
Alternative Education
There are two levels of Alternative Education in Grand Erie.
Students who have not experienced success in the regular classroom setting with accommodations and supports may be candidates for this program. School-Based Alternative Education is a program for students in Grades 9 – 12+ who would benefit from receiving some programming in an alternate classroom setting. Students in this program continue to take some courses in the regular program.
System-Based Alternative Education is a program for senior students (Grades 11, 12, 12+) who have not experienced success in School-Based Alternative Education and would benefit from a 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.
School-Based Alternative Education may become an option when the School Team, student and parent(s)/caregiver(s) feel that it is appropriate.
System-Based Alternative Education may become an option if a student has not experienced success in School-Based Alternative Education and the School Team, student and parent(s)/caregiver(s) feel that it may be appropriate. The school may then apply to the System Team for review.
NATIONS/New Start
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
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
The families of current students at Tollgate will receive a written communication in October. Staff members have already been informed of this decision.
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.
Student registrations will determine Grade 12 course offerings.
- 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.
