Application and Admissions

Please complete the online registration process. This process is completed through EDSBY. The technical issue with Edsby has been resolved. You can register using this link as of 9am on October 17th: 

Edsby Registration Link

The application window will be open from  Friday, October 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. - Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

During the online registration, students will select a day to write an in-person assessment task. They can choose from the following dates: 

Thursday, November 20, 2025  6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

OR

Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Complete and submit a Personal Portfolio

• Student Applicants will receive an email on Thursday, November 13, 2025 with detailed instructions about how to format and submit the Portfolio
• The Personal Portfolio will be formatted as a Google Slide Presentation
• The Portfolio submission deadline is: 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Write the In-Person Assessment Task

• During the EDSBY application, you will select an assessment day and time:

Thursday, November 20, 2025  6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

OR

Saturday, November 22, 2025  9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

• The assessment will be hosted at Maple High School
• During the session, applicants will receive a prompt and will have 40 minutes to plan, write and edit their response
• Students should bring pens or pencils to the complete the task
• Report Cards are NOT required this year 

Please Note: 

• Students that apply to the Programme will receive either a letter of acceptance or a waitlist letter via the parent email provided through Edsby. In rare cases, where students have not fulfilled the requirements of the application process, students may not receive any of the letters above.
• The website will continue to be updated, please check it for additional information.

What kind of student is a good candidate for the IB Diploma Programme?

According to the International Baccalaureate (IBO), the Diploma Programme is a rigorous and challenging course of study. Success throughout the programme depends on motivated students. More than past academic success, the IBO suggests that a student’s 

• dedication to do their best
• active study
• willingness to be organised in order and to complete work while leading a full, balanced life
• and having a strong commitment to learning in and beyond the classroom
• serves as an indicator of the ability to earn the Diploma.

What is the difference between IB and AP?

In York Region, both the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs are considered enrichment opportunities for students.  Both programs potentially offer successful candidates advanced standing at university.  The programs are equally considered at the postsecondary level.

AP offers students the chance to take exams in course(s) of interest or aptitude, while the IB Programme is a comprehensive program that includes the IB Core (Creativity/Activity/Service, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge). AP is not offered at Maple High School. 

Can the full IB Diploma be studied online?

No. It is not possible to complete the IB Diploma Programme online.

How do colleges and universities view the IB Diploma?

For information on university admission, please see information on the International Baccalaureate website. 

Will the IB Programme help my child get into university?

The answer is dependent on several factors, including the student, the university and the programs that the student would like to enter.  

Does being an IB student give my child an advantage when applying to university?

Students in the IB Programme earn two Diplomas, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and an IB Diploma. Both the OSSD and IB Diplomas are well respected. Ontario universities and colleges first consider the OSSD results when making admissions decisions. IB results may be considered after admission to award advance credits, or placement at the university.

Other universities and colleges in Canada, as well as internationally consider OSSD and IB Diplomas in various ways. Students are encouraged to speak with the schools and programs to which they are applying closer to the time of application to learn about their processes.

Do IB students get lower marks than students in OSSD classes because the Programme is rigorous?

IB assessment criteria and mark bands take into consideration the rigour of the Diploma Programme and student scores are not impacted negatively by participation in the Programme.

IB IN THE YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Which schools in the York Region District School Board offer the IB Programme?

Alexander Mackenzie High School, Bayview Secondary School, Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, Maple High School and Milliken Mills High School are authorized IB World Schools.

Who can apply to the IB Programme in York Region?

Grade 8 students who currently live in York Region are eligible to apply.  

Regrettably, visa students (i.e. international fee-paying students) are not eligible for the IB Programme in York Region.

Children of parents who hold a work permit/visa are eligible to apply.

Does my child need to have French to be eligible to apply to the IB Programme?

We recommend that students are working at grade level in French at time of application. 

How many spots do you offer?

YRDSB anticipates that we will be able to offer placements to over 500 students at the five sites.  We will offer 116 spots at each site. 

Is busing available?

Transportation is not provided for regional programs such as IB.  Our schools are located on local transit lines.

Can I apply from Grade 9 or 10?

Students who are in grade 9 or 10 should contact the IB Coordinator at the school that serves their home address to learn about eligibility and available space.

Can my child also take non-IB courses while completing the IB Diploma Programme?

In grade 11 and 12 IB students have a full course load. There is no room in the student schedule to take extra, or non-IB courses. Some students elect to take non-IB courses during the summer.

What percentage of students attend international postsecondary schools?

A small percentage of our graduates do attend international postsecondary institutions. We do not release the names of schools to which students apply, or select to attend. We have a 100% graduation rate and all of our IB students have accepted or deferred offers of admission to postsecondary learning.

If we decided to participate in the IB Programme in Grade 9, are we required to finish the programme? Can my child change their mind?

We work very hard to support students so that they thrive while participating in YRDSB’s preIB and IB Programmes and we hope that they will work through and complete their IB course of study but students are not obliged to stay in a programme that is not the right fit for them. Be advised students may be required to return to their home school if they do not stay in the programme.

YRDSB IB BOUNDARIES

To which school can I apply?

You are assigned to a school based on your home address.  To determine which school serves your home address, please visit the YRDSB School Locator.  We strongly encourage you to do this before completing the online application.

We have purchased a home in York Region or in a specific IB school’s boundaries.  Can my child apply for the YRDSB Program, or that school’s IB Programme?

This is a question that needs to be considered on an individual basis as there are several variables taken into consideration (for example, your closing date). Prior to completing an application, you will need to make an appointment to speak with an administrator from your IB area school who will assess your situation.

My IB Area school is not conveniently located; a different school is a better or more convenient option for our family. Can we apply here?

No.  Application eligibility is based on home address and, regrettably, we are not able to make exceptions.

 I own property in a school’s catchment area but do not live there; can we apply with that address?

No.  Application eligibility is based on home address and, regrettably, we are not able to make exceptions.

We plan to buy/rent a property in a school’s catchment area in the future. Can we apply to that school?

No.  Application eligibility is based on current home address, and regrettably, we cannot make exceptions.

I want to know that my child is accepted into the IB Programme before I purchase a new home.  Can I apply to a specific site with the future intention to purchase a home?

No.  Application eligibility is based on home address at time of registration and, regrettably, we are not able to make exceptions.

Can I apply to the YRDSB IB Programme and to other IB Programmes?

You may apply to Programmes offered by other Boards or private schools; however, when applying to the YRDSB Program, you are only able to apply to your area IB School.  

Are transfers between YRDSB sites available?

If you move into a new IB catchment area, transfers can only be considered if there is available space.