York Region District School Board, in partnership with York University, presents:
Y2 LEGACY – A Black-Centred Approach to Leadership, Innovation, and Excellence
The world students are entering is evolving rapidly. Success in this future demands not only technological fluency and sharp business acumen but also strong communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.
Y2 LEGACY is a transformative summer learning program that empowers students through a Black-centred lens celebrating leadership, innovation, and academic excellence. By building foundational knowledge and identity-affirming skills, students emerge with the confidence and capabilities to lead in their schools and communities. The foundational skills students gain in the summer will support them in navigating the school year with confidence and leadership.
Through credit-bearing courses grounded in technology, literature, business leadership, and community engagement, Y2 LEGACY provides a dynamic and culturally responsive learning experience. Students engage in experiential learning, build essential academic and life skills, and receive mentorship that supports long-term success.
Registration and Program Selection Process
Participation in Y2 LEGACY is competitive, and space is limited. To be considered for enrollment, interested students must complete two steps:
Step 1: students currently attending a YRDSB day school must register for their selected course using My Pathway Planner (myBlueprint), while students who do not attend a YRDSB day school must register using the Non-YRDSB Registration Form.
Step 2: all students must complete the Y2 LEGACY Google Application Form.
Note:
- Applications will be reviewed based on students’ interests, goals, and overall alignment with the program. Please note that acceptance is not guaranteed.
- Students who complete the registration process by Friday, May 2, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. will be notified of their acceptance status by Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Program Overview and Eligibility
A Multi-Year Journey of Excellence
Y2 LEGACY is designed with a long-term vision in mind. Ideally, students begin their LEGACY journey in the summer before Grade 9 and return each year, completing a new course annually. This pathway culminates in Grades 11 or 12 with:
- The opportunity to earn grade 12 Business Leadership university/college course and a Schulich School of Business Certificate
- The option to take a summer co-op placement with a Black-led community organization, and
- The possibility of being invited to participate in a York University course in the Fall, expanding post-secondary readiness and access.
Why Choose Y2 LEGACY?
- Gain skills for a future driven by innovation, leadership, and adaptability
- Learn in an affirming, identity-centred environment that celebrates Black excellence
- Build a multi-year learning pathway that supports academic and career achievement
- Earn secondary credits while exploring post-secondary options
- Access mentorship, Black community partnerships, and university-level experiences
- Become eligible for a Schulich Certificate and Fall York University course
Program Eligibility
- TAS2O and ENG2D are open to students of all social identities and offer a chance to explore Afrocentric ways of knowing while building understanding of Black brilliance, histories, and narratives.
- DCO3C and BOH4M are exclusive to Black-identifying students, fostering a more specialized and identity-affirming experience.
Summer 2025 Program Course Offerings
All Y2 LEGACY summer program courses will run from Wednesday, July 2nd to Friday, July 25, 2025, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:33 p.m., except for students enrolled in the Cooperative Education course (DCO3C). For these students, the start and end dates, as well as the daily schedule, will vary based on their individual co-op placements.
LEGACY: Black Innovation & Technology (TAS2O) Credit 1.0
Exploring Technologies, Grade 10, Open
Open to Students entering Grade 9 or 10
Locations: Maple HS (West), Bill Hogarth HS (East), Newmarket HS (North)
This course introduces students to a range of technological areas through a culturally affirming and identity-conscious lens. Students will investigate design processes, mechanical and electronic systems, computer-aided design (CAD), and digital literacy skills. With a strong emphasis on creative problem-solving and hands-on learning, students will explore the legacy and innovation of Black inventors, engineers, and technologists.
Course content includes:
- Exploring the engineering design process and applying it to real-world challenges through hands-on and digital projects
- Using a variety of materials and tools including digital technologies to design and build prototypes
- Introducing foundational skills in coding, electronics, and basic robotics through guided exploration and simulation
- Highlighting the contributions of Black innovators and communities to historical and contemporary advancements in science and technology
- Strengthening collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills to prepare students for diverse STEM-related pathways
This course is also suitable for French Immersion students and may serve as a meaningful alternative to the Grade 10 GLD course (Career Studies).
LEGACY: Black Narratives & Literature (ENG2D) Credit 1.0
English, Grade 10, Academic
Open to Students entering Grade 10
Locations: Maple HS (West), Bill Hogarth HS (East), Newmarket HS (North)
This course emphasizes the analytical reading, writing, and oral communication skills needed for success in senior English courses and beyond. Grounded in Black literature and global diasporic perspectives, students will explore how storytelling shapes identity, community, and social change.
Course content includes:
- Critical analysis of poetry, short stories, novels, drama, and media texts by Black authors and creators
- Development of writing skills, including persuasive, narrative, and literary analysis
- Oral presentations and seminar-style discussions
- Use of graphic organizers, planning tools, and mentor texts
- Preparation for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
- Emphasis on writing and reading strategies that support success in ENG3U or NBE3U – Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices
Students will build the literacy and critical thinking skills required for high-level academic work while developing an affirming understanding of Black identities and experiences.
LEGACY: Black Leadership, Innovation, and Management (BOH4M) Credit 1.0
Business Leadership: Management Fundamentals, Grade 12, University/College
Exclusive to Black Students in Grades 11 or 12
Location: York University – Keele Street Campus
This senior-level course prepares students for leadership roles in business, non-profit, and entrepreneurial settings. Students will analyze organizational behaviour, strategic planning, marketing, and ethical leadership through a culturally responsive and Black-centred lens.
Course content includes:
- Theories and styles of leadership and their real-world applications
- Project management and team-building strategies
- Business decision-making using case studies, including Black-owned businesses and community enterprises
- Marketing through a social justice and community development lens
- Financial literacy and resource management
- Completion of a capstone project and receipt of a Schulich School of Business Certificate, enhancing post-secondary and scholarship applications
Students gain transferable skills in communication, innovation, and strategic thinking while exploring how Black leaders have shaped and reimagined global business practices.
LEGACY: Black Community Connection & Leadership (DCO3C) Up to Credit 2.0
Cooperative Education, Grade 11, College
Exclusive to Black Students in Grades 11 or 12
Location: Community-Based Placements and York University
This experiential course allows students to explore their personal interests and future aspirations through career exploration, community leadership, and Black-affirming mentorship. Students will participate in a coop placement with Black-led organizations, attend workshops at York University, and reflect on their learning journey. Depending on the length of their placement, students will be able to earn up to two credits in this program
Course content includes:
- Creating personal career/life plans using goal-setting frameworks and portfolios
- Developing job-readiness skills: résumé writing, interviewing, workplace communication
- Exploring civic engagement, activism, and community leadership through a Black lens
- Reflecting on lived experiences and identity in shaping future pathways
- Gaining real-world experience through volunteer or coop-style placements
This course builds critical consciousness, confidence, and a strong foundation in social responsibility and self-advocacy as students plan for their futures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes attendance is mandatory as it is during the school year.
Important: Summer School will not be modified to accommodate personal activities and/or family vacations.
Please call the summer school location attendance office to report student absences.
Yes. Students will be earning a credit. To do so, they will need to complete all assignments. Students will receive a midterm and final grade.
Students also receive their report cards electronically (to their gapps accounts) through a secure link which has an expiry date. We encourage students to download and save it so they have a soft copy for future reference. All final marks will be forwarded to the student’s day school at the completion of summer school.
We strongly recommend that in the fall, non-YRDSB students confirm with their guidance office that their Summer Learning course has been added to their transcript record.
Yes, upon completion of the above mentioned courses, your child will receive the credit listed above.
Transportation will not be provided for any Y2 LEGACY summer programs. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation and are expected to arrive on time each day to their program location.
For more information
If you have questions or for more information, please contact The Centre for Black Student Excellence.