The course selection process for the 2026-27 academic year is underway with virtual course information evenings for families, group counselling sessions facilitated by the MYP Coordinator (students currently in Year 8), DP Coordinator, and the University Counselling Office (students currently in Years 9 and Year 10). All Year 10s have met or are in the process of meeting their university counsellor for their initial course selection meeting. 

Upcoming course information evenings for families will be held virtually as follows: 

• Tuesday, Jan. 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m | Class of 2028 (Year 10 students entering Year 11)
  Webinar link for DP Information Session

• Thursday, Jan. 15, 7 to 8:30 p.m. | Class of 2029 and 2030 (Year 9 students entering Year 10 and Year 8 students entering Year 9)
  Webinar link for MYP Information Session

For your information, please see the UCC Course Offerings Guide 2026-27. Course selections are made by students online in Bluenet and opens on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Parents/guardians should review student’s course selections in their student’s Bluenet account and then approve those selections by logging into their parent/guardian account in Bluenet and completing the school form by the deadline noted below.

Course selection deadlines:

Year 8 students entering Year 9 | Class of 2030:  Friday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m.

Year 9 students entering Year 10 | Class of 2029: Friday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m.

Year 10 students entering Year 11 | Class of 2028: Friday, Feb. 27 at 4 p.m.

MYP Coordinator: 

• Emilia Martin

DP Coordinator: 

• Colleen Ferguson

University Counselling Office:

• Alison Champ, Bremner's and Howard's 

• David Hanna, Jackson's  

• Stephanie Rose, McHugh’s, Mowbray’s, Martland’s (L-Z) 

• Nili Isaacs, Orr's, Scadding's, Martland’s (A-K)  

• Andrew Turner, Seaton's and Wedd's 

Dear Year 10 Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to let you know that the application packages for our "by application" graduation pathways—IB Systems Transformation and the IB Courses Pathway—are now available.

As your student prepares to enter Year 11, these pathways offer distinct opportunities to tailor their IB experience to their unique strengths, interests, and post-secondary goals. 

Overview of Pathways by Application:

• Systems Transformation Pathway: Designed for students eager to tackle complex real-world challenges. This pathway emphasizes project-based learning, systems thinking, and social impact alongside IB rigour. Students will earn an IB Diploma and OSSD.

• IB Courses Pathway: Offers greater flexibility in course selection. This pathway allows students to specialize deeply in specific areas of interest (such as the arts or sciences) or balance elite-level co-curricular commitments, leading to the OSSD and IB Course Certificates.

Applications:
If you are interested in these alternate pathways to the Diploma Programme, please review the application materials linked below.

Before completing any application, ensure your student has discussed these options with their University Counsellor to confirm the chosen pathway aligns with their university aspirations.

IB Systems Transformation Pathway Application

IB Courses Pathway Application

*Requires a UCC email address to access

Deadline: Completed applications are due by January 30.

For students planning on pursuing the IB Diploma Programme pathway, no additional application is required. As a reminder, this is our default graduation pathway for which students earn an IB Diploma and OSSD. 

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please do not hesitate to contact the University Counselling Office.

Jordan Small
Director of Academics

Feedback is an important tool to help students grow through their educational journey. The Upper School’s three-way conferences provide an opportunity for this to take place. Both in-person and virtual appointments will be available.

Wednesday, Feb. 11: In-person on campus

Thursday, Feb. 12: Virtual 

Registration on SchoolCloud will open on Jan. 15 at 9 a.m.

Dear Families,

I'm excited to announce that Upper Canada College is partnering once again with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy and Schoolyard Ventures, an organization that develops university-level, real-world learning opportunities for ambitious high school students, to offer The Social Innovators Program for grade 10 and 11 students. The 12-week virtual program allows students to learn about social entrepreneurship and experience it first-hand, while earning a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania. UCC is one of only forty schools worldwide invited to participate in this unique initiative.

During the program, students learn how to launch ventures of their own that create value and a positive impact on society. Students learn in small online classes and through engaging interviews and case studies with young entrepreneurs, with personalized one-on-one guidance and support along the way. Because students choose their own projects, each student's experience in the program is unique. Learn more about the program here.

The application deadline is Thursday, Jan. 22, and the program runs from the week of Feb. 16 through the week of May 11, with classes meeting virtually one evening per week, in addition to regular one-on-one advisor check-ins. At the end of the program, students will have the opportunity to present their work and learnings. 

A virtual information session for interested parents and students will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. ET. The registration link for the information session can be found here.

Please consider this exciting opportunity. If you have any questions please contact me.

Sincerely,
Paul Miskew
Faculty Chair, Design Department

Applications have now opened for the Lang Leadership Summer Institute, a new opportunity for summer leadership development for current Year 10 and 11 students from across the country. If you have a student who is interested in applying, encourage them to visit the website to find out more. 

The Institute is a powerful, two-week, co-ed, live-in program designed for future leaders across Canada. We welcome applicants from UCC and schools across Canada. The Summer Institute runs from July 5 to 18 and is focused on helping students develop the core mindsets and skills needed to make a meaningful difference in their worlds.

The program gives students the opportunity to:

• Boost Self-Awareness: Get to know themselves and understand how they lead best.

• Build Team Skills: Participate in challenge-based learning and connection activities across three unique campus experiences: Downtown Toronto (UCC), Norval Outdoor School and University of Guelph.

• Experience University Life: Live on a university campus and work directly with professors from the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics and the Rotman School of Management at U of T.

• Get formal Case Study Competition and Leadership Certificates.

• See Leadership in Action: Go on group excursions to pro sports and arts events, and meet with the leaders who make these happen.

• Have the chance to win a share of $10,000 in total scholarship awards (winners of Rotman Case Competition Program).

• Earn the Grade 12 PLF4M (Ontario) Leadership Credit (optional)

• Receive continued mentorship and connection with online group meetings throughout the academic year. 

• Develop great friendships with passionate and committed students. 

• Get personalized development with a 6:1 Ontario Certified Teacher certified faculty ratio and a cohort maximum of 48 students from across Canada.

Application information

• Applications close January 16. 

• Cost: $4,500 (+300 for PLF4M option)

• Financial assistance: Full and partial financial assistance is available for qualifying students.

• Timed video questions provide great practice for future university applications

To find out more, please visit www.langleadershiplab.ca. 

UCC graduation frames are available to order until Feb. 1.

There are four styles of frames available:

• Class composite

• Diploma frames

• Standard Portrait frames

• House Portrait frames

Frames are available for viewing in the basement next to TUBS and the Lower Dining Hall. To order your frames, please visit the UCC Marketplace. Questions can be directed to Karinne Chan.