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Curriculum Resources

Curriculum Resources​

Catholic Schools are vital and privileged places where students critically engage in a dialogue between faith and culture, not only during Religious Education lessons, but in all curriculum and events of the day.

Through the Religion and Family Life Programs, students will deepen their understanding of Catholic traditions, roles of Christian service, vocations, and responsible participation in the political and social spheres of community life.

It is with this knowledge that students of Catholic Schools learn to live virtuous lives of service to the poor and vulnerable in their communities and abroad, mirroring the life of service of Jesus Christ.

The Religion and Family Life program was developed by the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) in partnership with bishops, Catholic parents associations, and educators. View the curriculum content and expectations, as well as parent resources.

Across all subject areas, grades, and extracurricular activities, students will be given opportunities to develop and meet the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, and to promote the principles of Catholic Social Teaching​.

In addressing contemporary issues in the curriculum, we recommend reviewing the Institute for Catholic Education monograph series.

To enrich curriculum learning and nurture faith formation, explore program resources connected to the following areas:

Exemption from Human Development and Sexual Health Curriculum Instruction, and Corresponding Lessons in Blessed & Beloved and Fully Alive Family Life Programs

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is dedicated to promoting Catholic education while adhering to the Ontario Curriculum set out by the Ministry of Education.  

The Religion and Family Life Curriculum, developed by the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) under the guidance of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO), aims to preserve and promote the integrity and distinctiveness of Catholic education. It teaches Human Development and Sexual Health through a faith-based Family Life program that emphasizes Catholic values, human dignity, relationships, and social responsibility. 

Additionally, Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 162 (2019) allows parents to request exemptions for their child/children from instruction related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations found in Strand D: Healthy Living of the Ontario Curriculum: Health and Physical Education Grades 1-8, 2019, in alignment with the Catholic Family Life Education Curriculum Policy Document.

Parents who wish to exempt their child/children from the curriculum expectations outlined in Strand D: Healthy Living, Human Development and Sexual Health, and the corresponding lessons in the Blessed & Beloved or Fully Alive Catholic Family Life programs, are asked to contact their child’s school for more information.