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 currently in Grades 4, 5, 6 or 7.  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 3 Process
Auditions for Grade 3 students happen during February and March of their Grade 3 year. Our audition process is designed to be interactive and engaging.  Students are not required to prepare a portfolio, dance, drama, visual arts, or music performance. The initial dates for Grade 3 auditions for 2022 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. 

The Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 Process
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 date for the Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 auditions for 2022 are 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. 

Audition Overview

Each student auditioning for a position at Claude Watson School for the Arts will be evaluated in an integrated task in drama, music, dance and visual arts. Teachers will evaluate each candidate based upon a rubric that has been created.

TDSB and CWSA staff has carefully created a rubric for the task. When auditions have been completed each candidate will have a final evaluation. Each of the row's in the rubric will be given equal weight in the creation of the final evaluation. Offer of admissions to Claude Watson School for the Arts will be made based upon the audition evaluation.