From the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement:
Hello Families and Caregivers,
We are reaching out with care, partnership, and intention to support families raising Black children who are considering applying for Specialized Programs this year. These programs can offer meaningful opportunities for young people to grow in their gifts, explore their interests, and step into new learning pathways that nurture their brilliance and joy.
To assist families raising Black children in navigating this process, the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement will be hosting two (2) community information and preparation sessions focused on the Specialized Program admissions process.
Session Dates and Locations
East Location
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 5:30PM - 7:00PM
Location: Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute, 2239 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1P 2P7
West Location
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Time: 5:30PM - 7:00PM
Location: Amesbury Middle School, 201 Gracefield Ave, North York, ON M6L 1L7
Families are welcome to attend whichever location is most accessible.
What This Session Will Support
We know that navigating school admissions processes can sometimes feel overwhelming or unclear. These sessions are designed to walk alongside families raising Black children with guidance that is supportive, affirming, and grounded in community care.
During our time together, we will:
Examine Step 1 of the process - Report card benchmarks
Breakdown Step 2 of the process - Demonstrations of Knowledge & Skills
Explore what Demonstrations of Knowledge and Skills involve for:
The Arts (portfolios, auditions, creative submissions)
International Baccalaureate (IB) (in-person multiple-choice and written response)
Math, Science & Technology (MST) (in-person multiple-choice)
Leadership Programs (in-person written response)
Review rubrics, expectations, and preparation strategies
Provide small group breakout spaces with staff and community partners for conversation, mentorship, and questions
Attached is a Family Guide created to support Black students and their families as they consider, explore, and apply to specialized programs.
The guide includes:
Program descriptions
Step-by-step preparation suggestions
Application timelines
What to expect in Step 2 of the process - Demonstrations of Knowledge & Skills
We encourage you to share this guide within your networks, including:
Families raising Black children
Caregivers and guardians
Community educators and youth mentors
Cultural, faith, and neighborhood organizations
Please register at your preferred location using this form (https://bit.ly/CSIP-CoE).
We look forward to gathering in community — learning together, supporting one another, and ensuring our children feel seen, encouraged, and held through this process. The application process opens on November 24th and closes at noon on December 12th.