I am not a TCDSB student, can I still use myBlueprint to choose my courses and plan for high school?

If your high school was outside the TCDSB, then you cannot use myBlueprint until you start Grade 9.  Please use the google form link to choose your courses.

I can’t get into myBlueprint.  What should I do?

If you are a TCDSB student, please use your usual TCDSB login.  Please make sure you choose the correct school from the drop down menu.  Non-TCDSB student won't have access to myBlueprint until they start grade 9 in the TCDSB.

Can I choose more than 8 classes?  Or less?

All Grade 9 students must take 8 classes.

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

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. 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 both of my elective choices for sure?

Since electives are open level courses, the class sizes are a bit smaller.  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.

Are all grade 9 classes de-streamed?  Do you have academic and applied courses?

All grade 9 courses are now de-streamed.  There are no academic and applied courses any more for grade 9.  Students can still take AP courses if they were accepted to the AP programme.

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 the HIF Summer Transition Course, please fill out the form at the Summer Transition Course page.  If you plan to take a different summer school course, information will be available some time in late May and will be sent to your elementary school.  You should still choose 8 courses for next year and in the “Comments” before you submit your courses, just mention that you are planning to take a summer course.

We will be going away for July.  Can I still take the HIF course even if I will miss part of it?

If you would like to take the HIF Summer Transition Course, you must be prepared to attend every day throughout the session.  Depending on public health guidelines for the summer, if summer school is held in person, you will be expected to attend every day.  If classes are virtual, they will be offered sychronously and students must be available to participate in the synchronous sessions.

I am in French Immersion.  Do I have to take French as well as Geography and Religion in French?

Yes, to earn your French Immersion Certificate, you must take all 3 courses that are available in French in Grade 9 (French, Geography and Religion).  Please choose the P9FIF package on myBlueprint and all of the courses you need will be in the package.  For more information on French courses, please visit the French Programme page on the Bishop Allen Academy Registration Website.

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.

I heard that I have to take a tech course to graduate.  Should I take it in grade 9?

All students must take a tech course in either grade 9 or 10.

Do I have to take gym?

All students required to take a phys ed course for their diploma.  You can take a phys ed course any time from grade 9-12.

What if I don’t have room in my choices for art?

All students are required to take an art course for their diploma.  You can take an art course any time from grade 9-12

I was in Grade 8 Extended French in my elementary school.  Which French Course should I choose?

Please choose FSF 1DE (AP French) if you are coming from an Extended French Programme.

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

We know entering Grade 9 can be intimidating.  Everyone is in the same situation.  You will quickly make new friends at BA.  We are not able to assign specific classes or specific lunches to students.  With well over 300 Grade 9s, that would not be possible, especially because our classes become quite full.

Which courses are offered at the AP level in grade 9?

Students accepted into the Advanced Placement program enroll in AP Math, AP English and AP Science in grade nine. These courses are offered as a package. Students can also enroll in AP Geography and AP French.

Can a student participate in BOTH the AP and the French Immersion program?

YES! If a student is participating in both the AP and the French Immersion program, they would take the following courses:

· AP Math

· AP Science

· AP English

· French (Immersion)

· Geography (in French)

· Religion (in French)

· Elective - could be Drama, Visual Art, Business, Phys Ed, Music

· Second Elective

Students taking French (Immersion) and Geography in French are well prepared for the AP exams in grade 11 and 12.

If accepted in the regular program for grade 9, is there an opportunity for a student to switch to AP at any point if they would like a greater challenge?

Yes, opportunity continues to exist at Bishop Allen and we definitely encourage students who are excelling in their Academic classes to consider taking AP. This would involve a dialogue between AP Coordinators, Teachers, Guidance Counsellors and Parents.

Is there a minimum average required for students to remain in each AP course as they move into the next grade?

There is no minimum average for students to remain in each AP course. However, in order to be successful in the next grade, students do need a strong foundation in course material. Final grades in the 80% and above range usually indicate that a student will be successful in the next grade.

Can a student drop AP if they are struggling?

We encourage students to stay in the program for its many benefits, however we do want our students to succeed. A student expressing a desire to leave the AP program would also involve a dialogue between AP Coordinators, Teachers, Guidance Counsellors and Parents.

Can an AP student be on Sports Teams?

Yes, AP students can balance their academics and co-curricular workload. Many of our AP and French Immersion students participate in various aspects of school life. Bishop Allen boasts an impressive variety of teams and clubs. We pride ourselves on supporting the interests and passions of all of our students.

When do AP students write AP exams?

Students enrolled in AP courses write the final AP exams for each course either in grade 11 or grade 12, depending on the subject. These exams take place each May and are in addition to the regular exams in each subject. Students register and pay (approx. $140) for each exam. Exams are marked externally. Students can present their strong AP exam results to the university they are attending and be granted advanced standing in their first year.