About Us

Bell High School, home to the Bell Bruins, is a composite school situated on the edge of the beautiful NCC parkland, bordering Lynwood Village in Bells Corners near the junction of the Queensway and Highway 416. Named after Richard (Dick) Bell, a local politician, Bell High School was constructed in 1962. In 2017, Bell became a grades 7-12 school. Some of our alumni include John Manley, Steve Yzerman, John Baird, and Allison Korn.

Our mascot, a brown bear sports the Bell Bruin colours, red and black, and our school motto is “Vitam Impendere Vero: Seek Truth in Life”.

Our diversity is our strength. We are a community school that serves students from our neighbourhood and from around the world. 

The School Council is comprised of an active dedicated group of parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, community representatives, and students. Working together to enhance educational opportunities for our students, the group meets on the last Monday of each month to discuss relevant OCDSB issues pertaining to secondary education and to advise the principal on many matters affecting students. New members are always welcome! For further information please contact the school office.

As the lone quadruple track school in the district, our programs include English, French Immersion, Gifted/Gifted French Immersion, and ESL. A varied timetable includes program offerings in Technology, Fine Arts, and Outdoor Education. We also support a range of Advanced Placement (AP) examinations for students. Our Student Services Department features educational, career, and personal counselling, both in the classroom and on an individual basis. Extensive opportunities are available to students for career exploration through the Co-operative Education and OYAP programs. We are also expanding DUAL credit opportunities for students through a partnership with Algonquin College.

Special Education and ESL Programs

As a school, Bell is proud to support all pupils with exceptionalities. In addition, we are a congregated gifted centre supporting more than 400 students with giftedness. Our students with exceptional educational needs are supported by a devoted Special Education Resource Staff through a hybrid model. Our focus is on integration; students also receive small group instruction as necessary.

Additionally, Bell features an excellent English as a Second Language program. Five levels of English language instruction are complemented by academic courses offered exclusively to English as a Second Language (ESL) students. These congregated course sections deliver curriculum to support English Language Learners (ELLs) with their language acquisition and their academic goals. Teaching staff in this area are essential to supporting our determined efforts to enhance student success for all students.

• Our outdoor facilities include several playing fields, access to an on-site indoor arena, and over 10 kilometres of trails spanning the Greenbelt
• While our classrooms and hallways are spacious and infused with natural light they are also beautifully decorated to represent the cultural mosaic of Bell’s students.
• We are very fortunate to have an excellent Library and Information Centre fitted with current information technology equipment.
• Our double gymnasium has stadium seating which allows for whole school assemblies and ceremonies such as our Academic Awards ceremony.
• Bell also has a dance studio, an art studio, two music studios, and a drama studio.
• Our technical area includes information technology, computer engineering, transportation technology, construction technology, technological design, and communication technology. 

A wide range of interscholastic teams and intramural programs provide students with essential learning in the multiple areas that correspond with their interests and aptitudes. These activities speak to our belief that success is to be found in many ways and through many activities including direct instruction. 

We have an intramural athletics program offers a wide variety of activities for students of all ages and abilities during the lunch hour. A number of our teams have achieved success at the regional and provincial level, most recently Cross-Country running, Badminton, Alpine Skiing, Track and Field, and Rugby. To find current information and to access the calendars, please visit the Athletics page which is updated regularly. 

We are proud to have so many clubs available to our students. From learning languages, to playing games, our school truly has a club for everyone. Please visit our Clubs page for a full list of clubs available to students this year. 

Our arts programs offer a variety of vocal and instrumental music groups, drama performances, and musicals. Check out the Bell Dance, and Visual Arts websites for the latest and greatest information on upcoming events.

A strong commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is embedded throughout the OCDSB 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and captured within each area of focus: learning, well-being, and social responsibility. We strive to ensure that our school is a welcoming and safe place for students of all identities to feel valued and respected as they engage, learn, grow, explore, and discover. For more information, please visit the OCDSB’s Equity and Diversity website.