Cawthra Park Secondary School: Guide to Mississauga High School

For students in Southeast Mississauga, choosing a high school often comes down to one question: does it offer something special? Cawthra Park Secondary School answers that with its Regional Arts Program, one of just two audition-based arts streams in the entire Peel District School Board. The school, founded in 1972, has built a reputation that extends beyond the Lakeview neighbourhood to draw students from across Mississauga.

Location: Southeast Mississauga, Ontario, Canada · Established: 1972 · Address: 1305 Cawthra Road, Mississauga, ON · District: Peel District School Board · Also Known As: CPSS or CP

What time does Cawthra Park start?

Parents and students often want to know the daily schedule before enrolling. The Peel District School Board sets standard school hours for all secondary schools in the region, though specific start and end times may vary slightly depending on the semester schedule.

School Hours Schedule

Most Peel District secondary schools operate on a semester system with two daily periods. Typical school hours run from approximately 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, though students should verify the exact current schedule directly through the school’s official website or by contacting the main office at (905) 858-5910.

Daily Start and End Times

For the most accurate daily schedule, including any modified timelines for exams or special events, families should check the official Peel District School Board calendar and the school’s own announcements page. The main office can also confirm any semester-specific changes.

The implication: bell schedules vary by semester, so direct confirmation with the school prevents surprises on the first day.

How many people go to Cawthra Park Secondary School?

Enrollment figures for Cawthra Park Secondary School vary across sources, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact current student count. One source reports approximately 1,637 students enrolled, though this figure may not reflect the most recent school year.

Student Enrollment Numbers

Publicly available enrollment data for individual Peel District schools can lag behind actual numbers. The Ontario Ministry of Education publishes school-level enrollment reports, but updates may not be immediate. Families seeking the most current count should contact the school directly or consult the Peel District School Board’s annual enrollment reports.

Staff and Faculty Count

Peel District School Board employs staff according to enrollment and program needs. Specific staff-to-student ratios and current faculty counts for Cawthra Park are not published on the school’s public-facing pages. The board’s HR department maintains staffing data that may be available through a formal records request.

The pattern: enrollment data is typically outdated by one to two years, so families should call the main office for current figures.

Who is the principal of Cawthra Park?

The most recently documented principal of Cawthra Park Secondary School is Steven Keenleyside, according to information available as of March 2024. School leadership can change, and families should verify current administrative leadership directly with the school.

Current Principal

Steven Keenleyside’s tenure was documented in publicly available school records through early 2024. Peel District School Board may have appointed a new principal since that time. The school’s official website and the Peel District School Board directory typically list current administrative staff.

Key Staff Members

Beyond the principal, Cawthra Park Secondary School employs department heads, guidance counselors, and support staff. The school’s main office can provide information on specific contacts for academic advising, the Regional Arts Program, and special education services. Contact the school at (905) 858-5910 during business hours for staff directory assistance.

The implication: leadership information can become stale quickly; always verify directly with the school before making enrollment decisions.

Cawthra Park Secondary School Ranking and Reviews

Academic rankings give families one measure of school performance, though they represent only one dimension of the educational experience. Cawthra Park Secondary School’s ranking has remained solid within Ontario’s secondary school landscape.

Academic Performance

The Fraser Institute’s 2025 Report Card on Ontario Secondary Schools gave Cawthra Park Secondary School a score of 7.1 out of 10, ranking it #201 among 747 Ontario secondary schools. According to the Ontario School Rankings database, this places the school in approximately the top 27% of all ranked secondary schools in the province.

“Fraser Institute rankings can fluctuate 8–10 positions year-to-year for top schools,” noted one analysis from The Village Guru, emphasizing that year-to-year rankings should be considered alongside multi-year trends.

Parent and Student Feedback

Parent and student reviews of Cawthra Park often highlight the strength of the arts program and the sense of community. However, comprehensive review aggregates comparable to those for private schools are not widely published for public Peel District schools. Families are encouraged to attend open house events to gather firsthand impressions from current students and parents.

One third-party analysis from Condo Square One lists Cawthra Park among top Mississauga secondary schools alongside John Fraser, Glen Forest, and Port Credit schools, though this ranking reflects a selected list rather than a comprehensive assessment.

What this means: rankings offer a data point, but program fit and personal priorities matter more than a number.

Applying to Cawthra Park Secondary School

The application process differs depending on whether a student seeks the regular program or the Regional Arts Program. Understanding the requirements upfront prevents last-minute complications.

Application Process

For the regular program, students residing within Cawthra Park’s attendance boundary are automatically eligible for enrollment through the Peel District School Board’s standard process. Students outside the boundary may apply forOptional: “may apply for” – use hedge here since tier3 inter-district transfer process through the board’s student transfer procedures.

For the Regional Arts Program, students across Peel District may audition regardless of their neighbourhood school assignment. The audition typically assesses artistic ability in visual arts, music, drama, or dance, depending on the specialization offered that year. Wikipedia confirms that Cawthra Park offers a Regional Arts Program for which Peel students may audition.

Open House Events

Open house events at Cawthra Park Secondary School typically occur in late winter or early spring, giving prospective families a chance to tour facilities, meet staff, and ask questions. The Peel District School Board publishes open house dates through its calendar system, and the school’s website posts event-specific announcements.

Attending an open house is particularly valuable for families considering the Regional Arts Program, as it offers a chance to observe student work and speak directly with arts faculty.

The implication: the arts audition timeline moves fast; planning ahead is essential for families targeting the Regional Arts Program.

Programs and Facilities at Cawthra Park Secondary School

Cawthra Park Secondary School operates both a regular secondary program for grades 9 through 12 and a specialized Regional Arts Program that draws students from across Mississauga.

As one of two regional arts schools within the Peel District School Board, Cawthra Park’s arts focus sets it apart from standard public high schools in the area. The Wikipedia entry confirms the school’s status as a public high school offering a Regional Arts Program for which Peel students may audition.

Here is how the two main program tracks compare.

The school’s location near the Erin Mills and Eglinton intersection places it in the Lakeview area of Mississauga, accessible to families across Southeast Mississauga. Facilities include standard classrooms, gymnasium, library resources, and specialized arts spaces for the Regional Arts Program.

“CPSS is known as the Cawthra school of the Arts in Peel region,” according to The Village Guru, noting the school’s reputation for arts programming that extends beyond its official designation.

What this means: the dedicated arts facilities give the school a distinct advantage over typical high schools in the region.

Notable Alumni

Cawthra Park Secondary School has produced alumni who have gone on to achievements in the arts, athletics, and professional fields. The school has been operating since 1972, giving it over five decades of graduates.

Specific alumni lists with verifiable achievements are typically maintained by the school’s alumni office or parent council. The Peel District School Board does not publish comprehensive alumni records, but the school’s official social media accounts and website occasionally feature notable graduate stories.

The catch: over 50 years of graduates exist, but verified achievement records require direct inquiry to the school.

Contacting Cawthra Park Secondary School

For families seeking enrollment information, audition schedules, or general inquiries, the school can be reached through multiple channels.

The following table summarizes the primary contact methods.

The official website offers the most current information on upcoming events, while the main office handles enrollment inquiries, transfer requests, and general questions. Social media accounts provide updates on school activities and achievements.

The implication: families can reach the school by phone, web, or social media, with the main office serving as the central point for enrollment questions.

Summary

Cawthra Park Secondary School occupies a distinct position within Mississauga’s secondary school landscape: a public school with over 50 years of history, a Fraser Institute ranking in the top 27% of Ontario secondary schools, and a specialized arts program that draws talent from across the entire Peel District. For families weighing options, the Regional Arts Program audition process represents both the school’s main differentiator and its primary barrier. Those seeking the arts track should prepare for auditions and monitor the school’s calendar for open house dates.