For a student to attend W. Ross Macdonald School, the student must:

• Qualify as a resident pupil of a school board (Education Act: Section 32) and must be registered in their home school, in the board in Ontario for which they qualify as an Ontario resident pupil
• Be under the age of 21 years on the first day of the school year
• Make an application
• Be assessed as being blind or visually impaired as their primary exceptionality. This identification is the result of:
  
  • An ophthalmological assessment, and
  • An educational assessment based on findings from:
    
    • A visit to W. Ross Macdonald School, or
    • A W. Ross Macdonald School (WRMS) Resource Services assessment
• Demonstrate the ability to benefit from the methods and techniques provided by WRMS, as determined by the school staff
• Require an alternate medium to conventional print (e.g., Braille, audio, large print, or intervention if Deafblind)
• Have a recommendation for application to WRMS by an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) meeting at the student’s home school board. The board must provide a copy of the IPRC statement for the WRMS Admissions Committee.

Students will be given the opportunity to participate in class and lodging activities prior to a scheduled WRMS Admissions Meeting. The process is outlined in our Application Process. 

Admission may be deferred, depending upon available space in the classroom program and/or lodging. These are factors to consider when determining the student’s start date.

Student placement will be reviewed each year and a determination is made to either continue placement at WRMS, or to have the students return to their District School Board placement

If you would like more information about our programs or about the admissions process, please contact our Admission Coordinator, Emilie Hyde at 519-759-073 ext. 241.