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Understanding Peterborough's School Options
Peterborough secondary education is delivered through four publicly funded school boards established under Ontario law, as well as independent and flexible online secondary learning. The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) governs secular English-language public schools. At the same time,e the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) operates English-language Catholic secondary schools.
French-language education is delivered through two distinct boards: Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, which operates a full secondary school directly in Peterborough, and Conseil scolaire Viamonde, which provides French public education.
| System | Board Serving Peterborough | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English Public | Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board | Operates secular high schools offering IB, French Immersion, Integrated Arts, and extensive SHSM programs. |
| English Catholic | Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board | Operates open-access Catholic secondary schools featuring AP preparation, French Immersion, and specialized trades. |
| French Catholic | Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | Operates École secondaire catholique Monseigneur-Jamot (Grades 7–12) for French-first rights-holders. |
| French Public | Conseil scolaire Viamonde | Serves the region through local French public elementary pathways and regional secondary linkages. |
| Flexible Online | Canadian Virtual School (BSID #882250) | Ministry-inspected private online school granting OSSD credits asynchronously across Ontario. |
Notable Public High Schools in Peterborough
Public secondary schools in Peterborough, administered by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, offer specialized learning communities tailored to academic, technological, and fine arts interests.
Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute
- Public
- KPRDSB
Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute (Adam Scott CVI) serves north and central Peterborough, offering a dual-track academic program that includes both standard English and French Immersion streams. The school is known for strong academic performance in STEM fields and athletics, featuring modern science labs and specialized technology workshops. Adam Scott CVI hosts Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs in Health and Wellness and Construction Technology, providing students with direct community connections and experiential learning opportunities.
Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School
- Public
- KPRDSB
Located in northeast Peterborough near Trent University, Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) is the designated home of the board’s regional Integrated Arts Program (IAP). Students across the region audition to access specialized studio instruction in dance, dramatic arts, visual arts, vocal music, and instrumental performance. Alongside the arts, TASSS offers a complete French Immersion pathway and robust SHSM programs in Sports, Arts and Culture, Environment, and Hospitality and Tourism.
Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute
- Public
- KPRDSB
Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute, located in south Peterborough, is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. It delivers the prestigious IB Diploma Programme, offering university-bound students an internationally recognized pre-university curriculum. Kenner also maintains specialized technical education facilities, featuring comprehensive vocational shops for automotive technology, precision machining, and residential construction, complemented by SHSM offerings in Transportation Technology and Construction.
Crestwood Secondary School
- Public
- KPRDSB
Crestwood Secondary School serves west Peterborough and neighbouring rural communities, offering an academic environment supported by varsity sports, music programs, and student leadership initiatives. Crestwood hosts provincial SHSM programs in Health and Wellness, Sports, and Non-Profit sectors. The school maintains consistent graduation outcomes and post-secondary transition rates to colleges and universities across Ontario.
Notable Catholic High Schools in Peterborough
Administered by the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, Catholic secondary schools in Peterborough operate under an open-access model. Under Ontario law, any secondary student in Grades 9 through 12 may enroll in a Catholic high school regardless of religious affiliation.
Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School
- Catholic
- PVNCCDSB
Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in west Peterborough provides an enriched academic program that includes French Immersion and preparatory coursework for Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. Holy Cross supports targeted career learning through SHSM programs in Health and Wellness, Construction Technology, Sports, and Business. The school maintains active varsity sports teams, technology labs, and fine arts productions.
St. Peter Catholic Secondary School
- Catholic
- PVNCCDSB
St. Peter Catholic Secondary School serves south and central Peterborough, with a campus featuring technical shops, digital media studios, commercial culinary kitchens, and modern science facilities. St. Peter offers French Immersion alongside SHSM pathways in Arts and Culture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Hospitality and Tourism, and Health and Wellness.
French-Language Schools in Peterborough
French-language education in Ontario is protected under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This constitutional provision guarantees minority-language educational rights to children of Canadian citizens whose native language is French or who received their elementary education in French in Canada. Unlike French Immersion in English boards, French-first schools conduct all instruction, administration, and student life entirely in French.
École secondaire catholique Monseigneur-Jamot
- French Catholic
- MonAvenir
Administered by Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, École secondaire catholique Monseigneur-Jamot provides a complete Grade 7 to 12 French-first secondary education in Peterborough. Students complete all OSSD diploma requirements in a homogeneous French-language environment, developing high-level bilingual fluency. Graduates transition successfully to bilingual and French-language post-secondary institutions—such as the University of Ottawa or Université de l’Ontario français—as well as English-language universities.
Specialty Programs & Curricula in Peterborough
Peterborough high schools offer an array of specialized programs designed for differentiated academic goals, technical trade development, and fine arts excellence.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Rigorous international pre-university curriculum with standardized global assessments.
Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute
Advanced Placement (AP)
Enriched secondary courses that prepare students for College Board university-level exams.
Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School
French Immersion
Cumulative bilingual curriculum requiring at least 10 secondary credits taught in French.
Adam Scott CVI, Thomas A. Stewart SS, Holy Cross CSS, St. Peter CSS
Integrated Arts Program (IAP)
Studio-intensive regional fine arts curriculum across dance, drama, music, and visual arts.
Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Ministry-approved sector bundle combining specialized credits, certifications, and co-op.
All Peterborough Public and Catholic High Schools
| Program | What It Is | Example Peterborough Schools |
|---|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | Rigorous international pre-university curriculum with standardized global assessments. | Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute |
| Advanced Placement (AP) | Enriched secondary courses that prepare students for College Board university-level exams. | Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School |
| Integrated Arts Program (IAP) | Studio-intensive regional fine arts curriculum across dance, drama, music, and visual arts. | Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School |
| French Immersion | Cumulative bilingual curriculum requiring at least 10 secondary credits taught in French. | Adam Scott CVI, Thomas A. Stewart SS, Holy Cross CSS, St. Peter CSS |
| Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) | Ministry-approved sector bundle combining specialized credits, certifications, and co-op. | All Peterborough public and Catholic high schools |
International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement
Kenner CVI offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, which engages students in advanced coursework across six academic subjects, the Theory of Knowledge course, an Extended Essay, and community service (CAS). At Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, Advanced Placement (AP) coursework allows students to tackle university-level material in individual subjects such as mathematics and sciences, earning transfer credits or advanced standing at North American universities.
Regional Integrated Arts
The Integrated Arts Program at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School provides specialized education for students pursuing creative careers. Students audition for placement in drama, vocal music, instrumental music, dance, or visual arts, working with specialized guest artists and participating in annual showcases while completing their standard OSSD requirements.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Sectors
According to ontario.ca, the Specialist High Skills Major program allows students to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting OSSD graduation requirements. Students complete a bundle of 8 to 10 specialized courses, earn sector-recognized certifications (such as Standard First Aid, CPR, and WHMIS), and participate in co-op placements. Peterborough schools offer SHSM designations in Health and Wellness, Construction, Transportation, Information and Communications Technology, Arts and Culture, Hospitality, Sports, and Business.
Use rankings carefully
How Schools Are Ranked (and the Caveats)
Standardized testing in Peterborough is administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which evaluates Grade 9 Mathematics and Grade 10 literacy through the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Third-party organizations, such as the Fraser Institute, compile these standardized results into numerical school rankings.
Educational researchers emphasize that standardized test rankings provide an incomplete view of overall school quality:
Narrow Focus: EQAO assessments measure only specific reading, writing, and math indicators, omitting performance in vocational trades, studio arts, sciences, languages, and athletics.
Socioeconomic Influence: Test scores often correlate more closely with regional demographic and socioeconomic factors than with instructional effectiveness.
Single Snapshot: Annual rankings do not reflect individual student progress, credit accumulation rates, or school improvement over time.
Extracurricular and Well-Being Omissions: Standardized rankings cannot capture school culture, mental health resources, specialized special education programs, or the breadth of extracurriculars.
Families should use ranked publications as a minor reference point alongside school open houses, course calendars, and information on specialized program availability.
Flexible Online Learning in Peterborough
Physical high school schedules do not always accommodate every student’s individual timetable, learning pace, or athletic training commitments. Independent online learning provides an essential flexible alternative for students across Peterborough and the Kawartha region.
Canadian Virtual School (CVS) is an Ontario Ministry of Education–inspected private online high school (BSID #882250) authorized to grant OSSD credits since 2008. Because CVS credits meet all provincial curriculum guidelines, credits completed online transfer directly to a student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST) and carry equal weight with Ontario day-school credits for university and college admissions.
Students in Peterborough frequently utilize flexible online education through CVS for:
Solving Timetable Conflicts:
Taking prerequisite electives that clash with day-school schedules via the CVS Course Calendar.
Grade Upgrading:
Retaking senior courses to improve competitive averages for university programs through credit upgrade options.
Homeschool Education:
Accessing structured, credit-granting Ontario courses through easy online registration.
Ministry-inspected
BSID #882250
OSSD credits
Ontario teachers
Year-round enrolment
Flexible learning
Student perspectives
How Flexibility Can Help
Stories like these are common among applicants who use online courses strategically.
Maya is a Grade 11 student balancing a specialized studio arts program with university preparation. When her school timetable conflicted with Grade 11 Chemistry, she used Canadian Virtual School’s flexible online format to complete the required prerequisite without disrupting her arts studies. This demonstrates how online OSSD courses can help students manage specialized programs while meeting post-secondary admission requirements.
Grade 11 Integrated Arts Student
Liam is a Grade 12 student preparing for competitive Ontario engineering programs. After recognizing that his Advanced Functions mark was below the preferred admission range, he enrolled in a flexible CVS upgrade course. The self-paced format gave him additional time to strengthen challenging calculus concepts, improve his final grade, and provide updated academic results through OUAC before admission deadlines.
Grade 12 Engineering Applicant
A practical parent checklist
How to Choose the Right School for Your Child
Selecting the right secondary school in Peterborough involves evaluating your child’s academic strengths, career ambitions, and preferred learning environment:
Identify Academic and Career Objectives:
Determine whether your student thrives in specialized academic environments such as the IB Diploma at Kenner CVI, AP coursework at Holy Cross, or hands-on trade training in the Construction or Transportation SHSM programs.
Evaluate Language Preferences:
Decide between French Immersion within English public/Catholic boards and full French-first schooling at École secondaire catholique Monseigneur-Jamot for Section 23 rights-holders.
Assess Busing and Geographic Catchment:
Review school board boundaries through the Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) to confirm busing eligibility for local and regional specialty programs.
Visit School Open Houses:
Attend Grade 8 information nights hosted each winter by KPRDSB and PVNCCDSB schools to tour science labs, technical shops, and arts studios.
Plan for Local Post-Secondary Pathways:
Consider how high school courses align with nearby higher education leaders, including How to Get Into Trent University [INSERT WHEN PUBLISHED] and How to Get Into Fleming College [INSERT WHEN PUBLISHED].
Incorporate Flexible Online Learning When Needed:
If local scheduling limits your student’s course options, consider supplementing with accredited online courses through Canadian Virtual School.
Common parent questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best high schools in Peterborough?
There is no single “best” high school in Peterborough, as each secondary institution excels in different areas. Kenner CVI is distinguished by its International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, while Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School is celebrated for its regional Integrated Arts Program. Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School and Adam Scott CVI provide exceptional French Immersion and academic pathways, and St. Peter Catholic Secondary School and Crestwood SS offer modern technological and athletic programs.
What is the difference between public and Catholic schools in Peterborough?
Public high schools are administered by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and deliver secular education based on residential geographic boundaries. Catholic high schools, operated by the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB), integrate Catholic values and religious studies. In Ontario, all Catholic secondary schools operate under open-access rules, permitting students of any faith to enroll in Grades 9 through 12.
Which Peterborough schools offer French Immersion?
French Immersion is offered at four English secondary schools in Peterborough: Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute and Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School within the public board, and Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School and St. Peter Catholic Secondary School within the Catholic board. Students completing 10 French-taught credits earn a Certificate of French Immersion alongside their OSSD.
Which school in Peterborough offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program?
Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute is the authorized IB World School in Peterborough and delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12. The program provides a rigorous, internationally recognized curriculum that prepares graduates for competitive university admissions.
What is a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)?
A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is an Ontario Ministry of Education program that allows high school students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector. Students complete a bundle of specialized high school credits, earn industry-recognized safety and technical certifications, and gain experiential learning through co-op placements, receiving an embossed red seal on their OSSD upon graduation.
Can students in Peterborough take high school courses online?
Yes. Students in Peterborough can take fully accredited online courses through Ministry-inspected private online schools, such as Canadian Virtual School (BSID #882250). CVS offers flexible, asynchronous online OSSD credits that students use to resolve daytime scheduling conflicts, take summer school courses, upgrade prerequisite marks for university admissions, or complete full high school requirements while homeschooling.
How do French-language secondary school rights work in Peterborough?
French-language secondary education at École secondaire catholique Monseigneur-Jamot is protected under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canadian citizens whose first language is French, or who attended a French-language elementary school in Canada, have the right to enroll their children in French-first publicly funded schooling.
What post-secondary institutions are located in Peterborough?
Peterborough is home to Trent University, renowned for environmental science, humanities, nursing, and business programs, as well as Fleming College (Sutherland Campus), which offers leading programs in trades, technology, applied arts, and health sciences. Both institutions maintain close transition pathways and dual-credit programs with local Peterborough secondary schools.
Final Thoughts on Peterborough Secondary Education
Find the Right Learning Path for Your Child
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Canadian Virtual School
- Ontario Ministry-inspected private high school
- BSID #882250
- Recognized OSSD credit courses
- Year-round enrolment
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