Claude Watson School for the Arts

Claude Watson School for the Arts (CWSA) is a Grade 4 to Grade 8 school dedicated to providing students with an arts education. Each year we audition students from across the city of Toronto for Grade 4 entrance.

If you are interested in having your child attend CWSA please review the following information.

How to Apply to Claude Watson School for the Arts

Each year hundreds of students audition for entry to Claude Watson School for the Arts. The first step in the process is to apply.

CWSA will be accepting applications to audition for the 2021-2022 school year this autumn.  Our online application system will open on Tuesday October 13, 2020 (10:00 am) until Friday December 18, 2020 (3:00 pm).  Everyone who successfully applies to our program will be granted an audition.  We are unable to accept late applications.

The online application system found by clicking here.

Each year CWSA runs two audition processes.  The first process is for students who are in Grade 3 and are looking for Grade 4 admissions. The second process is for students who are in Grades 4, 5, 6 or 7. This year, children born in 2012 are eligible to audition for a spot in Grade 3 and children born in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are eligible to audition for spots in the older grades (Grades 5 – 8).  Please note that if your child previously auditioned for CWSA but was not successful, you must reapply and audition again for the new school year.

The Grade Three Process (Children born in 2012)
Auditions for Grade 3 students happen during February and March of their Grade 3 years.  The auditions begin with one half day session.  Each half day session is divided into four parts.  Candidates will spend 50 minutes in each of the following areas, dance, drama, music and visual arts.  Our audition process is designed to be interactive and engaging.  Students are not required to prepare a portfolio, dance or music performance.  A break period is built into the half day and students are welcome to bring a nut-free snack. The dates for auditions are announced each autumn.  The initial dates for Grade 3 auditions for 2021 are TBD.

Claude Watson strives to provide an equitable and inclusive learning environment for each and every student.  We believe that the arts are for all children and traditionally we have fewer applicants who identify as male.  Therefore, we have made an effort to ensure our program is balanced based upon gender.  Annually we endeavour to admit an equal number of students who identify as male and students who identify as female.  We will also facilitate placement for successful candidates who do not identify as male or female or are transgender or gender non-conforming.

The Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 Process (Children born in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011)
Each grade at CWSA has 60 students.  In the rare situation when a student leaves the program we will offer the position to a candidate who auditioned for the program.  The audition process takes place in the spring and will last half a day for each candidate.  Students audition in four areas (dance, drama, music and visual arts).  Usually the younger students (Grades 4 and 5) audition in the morning while the older students (Grades 6 and 7) audition in the afternoon.  The dates for auditions are announced each autumn.  The date for the Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 auditions for 2021 is TBD.

For more information about the audition process please click here.

Residency Requirements

Claude Watson School for the Arts operated under the policies and procedures of the Toronto District School Board. We are required to follow TDSB PR 545 "Optional Attendance". PR 545 states "Where schools or sections of schools are Board-authorized to provide specialized programs, access to such schools and/or programs will be open to any students who are residents of the City of Toronto." CWSA is considered by the TDSB to be a specialized program.

Students who attend CWSA are required to live in the City of Toronto (permanent residence must be in the 'M' postal code area). Students who move out of Toronto mid-year should self-identify to the office. Students who self-identify will be permitted to complete the balance of their academic year at CWSA but must register at a school in their school board of residence for the following September. Students discovered to be enrolled at CWSA without a legal right to attend (living outside the City of Toronto), will be immediately removed from the rolls at CWSA and directed to a local elementary school in the school board where they reside.

Important Information

Personal information collected using our online application or general information collected on behalf of the Toronto District School Board regarding the student is collected under the authority of the Education Act and in compliance with sections 14, 31 and 32 of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for education, transportation and health and safety purposes. For further information, please contact Claude Watson School for the Arts

Claude Watson School of the Arts is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment which actively promotes and supports human rights and accessibility for persons with disabilities. We invite applicants to identify any disabilities that may restrict their performance during the school’s audition/workshop process. The school will endeavour to accommodate when we are made aware of needs. We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance, during the application process. Please contact the school directly to provide additional information please contact Claude Watson School for the Arts.

You can email CWSA at – ClaudeWatson.Auditions (@) tdsb.on.ca – (please note to prevent spam bots accessing our email address we have placed the “at” symbol (@) in brackets.  You will need to edit this before you send the email.