Information on Specialized or Gifted Programs
Available to K-12 Students

Welcome to our Specialized and Gifted Programs resource page, where MathProject has curated a comprehensive guide to help families in the Halton and Peel regions explore educational opportunities tailored to high-achieving students.

These programs offer students the chance to engage in rigorous academic challenges, enhance problem-solving skills, and foster intellectual growth. With specialized instruction from expert educators, like-minded peers, and a curriculum designed to unlock full potential, these programs lay the groundwork for academic excellence and future success.

Explore our detailed program lists, plan ahead, and take the next step in your child’s educational journey.

For Students Living in the Peel Region

Note: This is not an exhaustive list and the information provided may be subject to change.

Grades that apply in this school year, 2025-26 for the following school year, 2026-27

Program

Program Description

Important Dates & other Application details

Grade 8

International
Baccalaureate (IB)

IB is an academically rigorous program leading to expanded opportunities for admission into highly sought-after programs at university.

Information Night: October 21, 2026
Apply between November 3, 2026 to November 24, 2026

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/secondary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 8

Advance Placement
(AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) exams allow high school students who excel to gain university credits while still in high school. These exams are written in May and usually last 2–3 hours.

AP is designed by a U.S. education association called the College Board and is catered to highly motivated, academically inclined students with a strong foundation in fundamental numeracy and literacy skills. Students taking AP courses have the opportunity to learn first-year university material while still in high school.

Information Night: October 22, 2026
Apply between November 3, 2026 to November 24, 2026

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/secondary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 8

Scitech

Scitech integrates a hands-on, minds-on philosophy and provides students with an interactive approach to learning the Ontario Secondary School curriculum. SciTech remains a dynamic and evolving program through ongoing dialogue with post-secondary educational programs and industry partners, reflecting our ever-changing world.

Information Night: October 22, 2026
Apply between November 3, 2026 to November 24, 2026

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/secondary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 8

International Business and
Technology (IBT)

The program focuses on Business and Technology through the lens of the Ontario curriculum. It engages modern learners with a global focus using project-based, cross-curricular, inquiry-driven learning, enhanced by technology.

Information Night: October 28, 2026
Apply between November 3, 2026 to November 24, 2026

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/secondary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 8

Art

The Regional Arts Program provides a comprehensive education in the arts while following the Ontario curriculum. Four areas of arts programming are available: Dance, Drama, Music (instrumental/vocal), and Visual Arts.

Information Night: October 27, 2026
Apply between November 3, 2026 to November 24, 2026

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/secondary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 1 or 7

French Immersion
(Gr 1)
Or
Extended French (Gr 7)

If your child will be starting Grade 1 or Grade 7 in September 2026, one choice you will make is whether to consider Grade 1 French Immersion (FI) or Grade 7 Extended French (EF).

Each program differs in intensity but shares a common purpose: developing students’ communication skills in the French language.

Applications open in December 2026

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/french

Grade 3, 5 or 8

High Performers
Program

Does your child or teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes regular school attendance difficult? The Peel District School Board’s Peel Region High Performers Program offers flexible timetabling to accommodate student-athletes and artists with demanding practice, competition, rehearsal, and performance schedules.

To qualify, high-performing students must be recommended by a coach, agent, or instructor who can verify their level of competitiveness, training hours, and schedules.

Applications are now open

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/peel-region-high-performers-program

Grade 5

Actively in Motion
(AIM)

The AIM program provides skill training and development, along with active involvement in athletics, fitness, wellness, leadership, and character development.

The focus of the Actively in Motion (AIM) program includes daily physical training and fitness, healthy eating and wellness, school and community involvement, leadership skill development, and teamwork.

Information Night: January 12, 2027

Apply between January 18 – February 5, 2027

For more information:   
https://www.peelschools.org/elementary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 5

SciTech

The SciTech program focuses on mathematics, science, and technology, grounded in the Ontario curriculum. Inquiry-based learning demonstrates how science, technology, and mathematics relate to everyday life.

Information Night: January 13, 2027
Apply between January 18 – February 5, 2027

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/elementary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 5

International Business and
Technology (IBT Elementary School)

Program focused on developing skills in business and technology for middle school students.

Information Night: January 7, 2027

Apply between January 18 – February 5, 2027

For more information:
https://www.peelschools.org/elementary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 5

International
Baccalaureate Middle
Years Program
(IB- MYP)

A program for incoming Grade 6 students, with an emphasis on building real-world connections through the Ontario curriculum.

Information Night: January 6, 2027
Apply between January 18 – February 6, 2027

For more information:

https://www.peelschools.org/elementary-regional-learning-choice-programs

Grade 4

CCAT- Abilities Screening Test

Many schools use these test results to identify students that would qualify for gifted programs. This test is also used to identify students “at risk”.

Assessment Date vary by School or School District (Check with your child’s school at the start of school year)

For Peel Region

Download PDF for Peel

For Students Living in the Halton Region

Note: This is not an exhaustive list and the information provided may be subject to change.

Grades that apply in this school year, 2024-25 for the following school year, 2025-26

Program

Description

Application details

Grade 9 & 10

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

IB is an academically rigorous program leading to expanded opportunities for admission into highly sought-after programs at university.

The IB Diploma Program takes place in the last 2 years of high school – Grades 11 & 12.

Information Session: October 15, 2026

Application Opens: October 30, 2026

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

For more information:

https://www.hdsb.ca/learning-and-resources/Pages/Secondary%20Education%
20and%20Pathways/International-Baccalaureate-(IB)-Program.aspx

Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12 in four specific schools in HDSB

Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) exams allow high school students who excel on these exams the opportunity to gain university credits* while still in high school.  These exams are written in May and are usually 2-3 hours in length. 

AP is designed by a U.S. education association called the College Board, is catered for highly motivated and academically inclined students who have a strong foundation in fundamental numeracy and literacy knowledge and skills. Students taking AP courses have the opportunity to learn first year university material while still in high school. 

Students taking AP courses in HDSB will be assessed and evaluated on the Ontario Curriculum; the AP curriculum is built into the course as an enhancement to the Ontario Curriculum

Four schools in HDSB offer AP courses to their students.

Note: Students in grade 9,10, and 11 may be required to take AP courses depending on the school.

For more information, please visit the school’s website:

https://www.hdsb.ca/learning-and-resources/Pages/Secondary%20Education
%20and%20Pathways/Advanced-Placement.aspx

Application Opens: October 30, 2026

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

Grade 8

I-STEM

I-STEM is an innovative, regional program for secondary students (Grade 9-12) in Halton and beyond. Students in this four-year program develop innovation skills related to engineeri​ng design and design thinking,entrepreneurial thinking skills and global competencies. Students learn to be prepared for technological change and disruption, globalization and shifting demographics.​​​

Information Session: TBD

Application Opens: October 30, 2026

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

For more information:

https://www.hdsb.ca/learning-and-resources/Pages/Secondary%20Education
%20and%20Pathways/I-STEM.aspx

Grade 4

CCAT7- Abilities Screening Test

Many schools use these test results to identify students that would qualify for gifted programs. This test is also used to identify students “at risk”.

Assessment Date varies by School or School District. Typically, the CCAT7 is administered to Grade 4 students (typically between mid October and November 30).

https://www.hdsb.ca/learning-and-resources/Pages/Special-Education-Programs-and-Placements.aspx

For Halton Region

Download PDF for Halton

If your region is not listed above, don’t worry! Simply reach out to us and one of our regional experts across North America will guide you with the right information for your area.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NEXT?

If you’re already a current MathProject parent and are interested in learning how we can help your child prepare for these Gifted Programs, please book a brief call with our team today!

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