Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t get into myBlueprint

Make sure you are at www.myblueprint.ca/tcdsb Please don't just google "myblueprint" or you will end up at the generic site and not the tcdsb-specific site.

Please use your usual TCDSB login.

Can I choose more than 8 classes? Or less?

All Grade 9, 10 and 11 students must take 8 classes, plus 2 alternates. Grade 12 students must choose a minimum of 6 classes, plus 2 alternates.

If I hand in my course selection earlier than someone else, does that mean that I will get into the class first?

No. Course selection is a process, not a competition. Timetables and courses are not assigned on a first come, first served basis. Please make sure you choose your courses very carefully as changes are difficult or not possible to accommodate. Also, make sure you choose TWO alternate courses in case you don’t get your first choice (s).

What courses do you need to take for your diploma?

Please see the document What do You Need to Graduate? for Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements

MyBlueprint says to choose two alternates. Can I leave it blank? If I leave it blank, does that mean I will definitely get the electives I chose?

The alternates are there in case we can’t get you into your first and/or second elective choices. If you don’t fill out alternates, we will have to choose something for you.

Will I get my elective choices for sure?

We are not always able to give students their preferred choices for electives but we ALWAYS TRY. Please make sure you choose alternates so that we know your backup preferences. Please understand, if there aren't enough students choosing a course, it reduces the number of sections created. If people decide later that they want a course that wasn't requested early on, the sections won't be there for you to go into later.

Do I have to take all applied (college) or academic (university) courses or can I mix them up?

Yes you can mix them up! Please discuss your level choices with your guidance counsellor, teachers and parents. For example, you could take English at the academic level but math at the applied level. Or you can take university English while you also take ALL of your course choices for grades 11 and 12 should be based on some research about programs you're interested in for college and university or your future work plans

Can I change from academic to applied or from applied to academic after Grade 9?

Yes you can -- this depends on your performance in the course, the recommendation of your teacher and overall plans for the future. All level changes happen after consultation with your guidance counsellor, teacher and parents. In some cases, changing levels will involve taking an extra course in summer school.

What if I change my mind about a course I chose?

Please think very carefully about the choices you are making now. We will create course sections based on the number of requests we get for those courses right now. If people change their minds, it is likely that we will not be able to make the change you want. Of course, we will try, but once a timetable is made, most electives will be full and changes usually cannot be accommodated. If you change your mind about a course, you cannot change it on myBlueprint after you already submitted your courses. You will have to contact your guidance counsellor. Please find the appropriate guidance counsellor on the CONTACTS page of the BA Registration and Course Selection website.

I want to take a course at summer school. What should I do?

If you would like to take a summer course, information will be available some time in late May and an announcement will be made on the Guidance Google Classroom (Code 63iktaa). You should still choose the proper number of courses for next year and in the “Comments” before you submit your courses, just mention which course

you are planning to take in the summer.

How do I sign up for an e-learning course?

E-learning is available for Grade 11 and 12 students only. It is offered by TCDSB teachers but not necessarily BA teachers. E-learning takes up a slot in your timetable, just

like any other course. Depending on public health regulations next year, the course may be offered synchronously. If we are back in school, then it will be asynchronous. That will likely be determined in September. If you would like to take an e-learning course, please choose 1 e-learn (for semester 1) or 2 e-learn (for semester 2) and indicate the course you would like from the drop-down menu. E-learning courses will be confirmed at the beginning of the new school year but not before.

I am in French Immersion. Do I have to take all of the courses offered in French?

Yes, to earn your French Immersion Certificate, you must take all 11 courses that are available in French by the end of Grade 12. Grade 10 students, please choose the P10FIF Grade 10 package on myBlueprint and all of the courses you need will be in the package. For all grades, please make sure you choose the French religion course (course code ends in “F”)

Is religion a required course?

All TCDSB students are required to take religion for all four years at Bishop Allen. If you accidentally forgot to add it to your course requests, we will add it for you and remove another elective choice.

How does Night School Work?

Night school courses are offered in both semester 1 and semester 2. Students will attend from approx. 6pm-9pm, two nights a week for the semester. Registration is usually open when the semester begins and courses start near the end of September for semester 1 and the end of February for semester 2. Check the guidance google classroom: Code 63iktaa for announcements when the registration opens. You just fill out a registration form and send it to your guidance counsellor. As long as you take courses with the TCDSB, we will get your marks automatically. If you take courses with another school board, then you need to bring a report card to your guidance counsellor so that we include it on your transcript.

How does Summer School Work?

Summer school courses are offered in for the month of July and sometimes in August as well. You will attend school from approximately 9am – 2:30pm every day. If you are going to be away for part of the summer, you probably should not register for summer school. Usually, a brochure of courses and registration forms are available from mid-May onwards. You just fill out a registration form and send it to your guidance counsellor. You can register any time right up until the course starts but the earlier you register, the more likely you will get a spot. If a summer school credit changes your course selection for that year, then please discuss with your guidance counsellor ASAP so that we can try to make the necessary changes on your timetable. Check the guidance google classroom: Code 63iktaa for announcements when the registration opens. As long as you take courses with the TCDSB, we will get your marks automatically. If you take courses with another school board, then you need to bring a report card to your guidance counsellor so that we include it on your transcript.

How do I sign up for the SHSM?

Only grade 11 students (and, in some cases, grade 12 students -- please talk to your counsellor) can register to take the SHSM. Pleasevisit the SHSM page on this website for more details and a link to the registration form.

Can I be in a class or have lunch with my friends?

We know starting a new year or semester can be intimidating. Everyone is in the same situation. You will quickly make new friends in your classes. We are not able to assign specific classes or specific lunches to students. With well over 1500 students, that would not be possible, especially because our classes become quite full.

I had a teacher whose teaching really matched my learning style / I heard was really good / coached me / etc ... Can I request to be in their class?

We know starting new courses and meeting new teachers can make you nervous; it’s usually like that when you start something new. Everyone is in the same situation. Over your 14 or so years of school, you will have all kind of teachers. It is important that you learn to adapt to working with different instructors. Also, we cannot accommodate requests for particular teachers. Logistically, it is not practical to move things around for a teacher request. We have been specifically instructed not to allow students to switch courses based on a preference for a teacher. Also, accommodating one request would lead to others and this is not fair to teacher colleagues or other students.