LBD ADMISSIONS
The LBD Admissions Journey
Applications NOW OPEN
The LBD admissions process is defined by eight (8) key steps.
Step 1
Evaluate whether you possess the majority of the attributes sought in prospective students.
Who is an appropriate candidate for admission into the Leadership by Design (LBD) program? An ideal candidate shows strong potential for achievement, a genuine willingness to pursue opportunities for growth, and a clear desire to meet their personal goals.
Leadership aspirations
- You are keen to learn essential leadership skills and to practise these skills.
- In your school and community, you aspire to take on leadership roles.
- You appreciate the importance of leadership skills as fundamental to being successful in your academic work, your relationships, your service to community, and your career.
Committed to academic achievement
- You have challenged yourself in the recently completed Grade 9 curriculum and in other academic opportunities provided at your school.
- You are curious, thoughtful, and passionate about learning.
- You have the will to work hard to achieve higher academic standards.
Committed to out-of-school learning opportunities
- You are willing to commit time outside of regular school hours to seize the many learning and growth opportunities provided by the LBD program.
- Where you have a passion for a specific subject/issue, you are keen to learn more about this subject/issue outside the classroom.
- You are willing to fully commit to the Leadership by Design (LBD) programming, experiences, and values.
Committed to service to others
- You find satisfaction and joy in helping others, particularly the less fortunate.
- You are keen to engage in community service and in extracurricular activities.
- You want to make a difference in your community, workplaces, and country.
Your reasons for joining the LBD program
- Are you interested in the LBD program because you plan to take advantage of the exceptional opportunities and enriching experiences the program offers?
- Are you keen to develop your talents and be the best you can be?
- Are you open to mutually supportive and respectful relationships with other Black students?
If many of the above qualities apply to you, your next step is to review LBD’s application criteria.
Step 2
Do you meet the LBD’s application criteria?
You voluntarily self-identify as a Black person. This means you are discernibly Black, and your lived experience is that of a Black person.
You are enrolled in Grade 10 during the 2026-27 academic year (i.e. the academic year which began this September 2026).
You are academically capable and eager to learn.
You are willing to attend Toronto-based in-person Saturday sessions. While most LBD students reside in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), the program also welcomes eligible and motivated students from other regions of Ontario.
You are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
Step 3
Review information about the LBD program prior to submitting your application
Prior to completing the Application Form, thoroughly review information about the Leadership by Design (LBD) program to determine your interest in joining its student community (please refer to the LBD website for details). Additionally, ensure that you have read the Application Guide carefully. If, after this review, you conclude that the LBD program aligns with your interests, proceed to Step 4.
Step 4
Discuss your intent to apply with your parent(s)/guardian(s)
Step 5
Complete the online LBD application form and submit it
Please ensure the application form is completed in full and all information provided is accurate. The student’s personal phone number and email address must be entered on the form. Students are expected to demonstrate ownership of their educational journey; consequently, the application should be completed by the student—not the parent/guardian —with appropriate guidance and consent from a parent, guardian, or other adult advisor.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) details will be requested separately within the application. This separation is essential, as all correspondence sent to the applicant will also be copied to the listed parent(s)/guardian(s).
Upon submission, applicants will receive an acknowledgment confirming receipt of the application.
We encourage early applications since the 2026 LBD applications-admissions cycle will close once enrolment targets are met.
Step 6
Eligible candidates, accompanied by a parent or guardian, must attend an in-person orientation session
Eligible candidates and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will be invited to an in-person orientation session which provides an opportunity to learn more about the LBD program and to get questions answered. Applicants who do not attend the orientation will not be eligible for admission.
Candidates deemed ineligible for admission into LBD will be provided with guidance regarding alternative opportunities.
Step 7
Eligible candidates are given a conditional offer of admission:
After attending the in-person orientation session, eligible candidates may be offered admission subject to two key conditions. It is only after both conditions are fulfilled that the students will be registered in Leadership by Design.
The student completes a mandatory in-person workshop called Leadership Fundamentals, which gives them a strong and supportive start to the program. This gateway experience shows students and parents that leadership is a core skill linked to long-term success, and it helps each student begin LBD with confidence and momentum.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) signs a Consent and Release Form by the stated deadline. This form gives the Lifelong Leadership Institute permission to use registered students’ information, image, and work for specific program-related purposes, and it also outlines the expectations for student conduct and participation. The form is designed to ensure a safe, supportive, and well-communicated experience for all students.
Step 8
Registration into the Leadership by Design program
After the parent(s)/guardian(s) submits the signed Consent and Release Form by the given deadline, and after the student completes the mandatory workshop on Leadership Fundamentals, the student will be registered into the Leadership by Design program.
Application dates and deadlines 2026
Students in grades 9 through 12 can apply for the Guest Student program.
For fall 2026, the application window opens in August and continues into September. This gives parents, friends, high school administrators, and teachers a clear opportunity during August and September to encourage eligible Grade 10 students to apply. At the same time, we welcome early applications—starting now. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis. The earlier students apply, the earlier they are evaluated and the earlier they receive an admissions decision. We strongly encourage early applications, as the 2026 LBD admissions cycle will close once enrollment targets are met.
The deadline to submit an application is Monday, September 28, 2026 (11:59 p.m.). If the program reaches its admissions target before this date, the application portal will close early. We encourage students to submit applications as early as possible.
frequently asked questions
Does it matter which high school I attend?
No. You may apply if you are a student of any Ontario public, Catholic, French or independent high school. You may also apply if you are homeschooled. However, you must have the ability to travel to Toronto for meetings.
If I apply, how will you communicate with me?
All communications are via email and all communications with you are copied to your parent(s) or guardian(s). For this reason, the personal email address for you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) must be accurate. You must also check your email regularly—including your Spam folder—to ensure you receive all updates.
The application form invites applicants to indicate interest in special learning opportunities. Please clarify this.
The LBD program welcomes students with interests and strengths in any subject area—arts, English, social sciences, languages, mathematics, sciences, and information technology. We support students who wish to explore careers in these and many other fields.
To enrich learning and career discovery, students are encouraged to pursue special learning opportunities. If admitted to LBD, students will have the option to formally enroll in one or more of the opportunities listed below. (Note: Some opportunities are not listed on the application form.)
- Pursue STEM (hosted by University of Toronto)
- Pursue BUSINESS
- Science Fair (hosted by University of Guelph)
- Coding & AI
- Annual Hackathon (hosted by CIBC Bank)
- Model UN & Public Speaking
- French Language Focus (hosted by Glendon College, York University)
- We are Canada Project
- MUSEUM 2050 Project
What is the role of parents in the LBD program?
A guiding principle of LBD is that the parent is the primary educator of the child. Our role is to partner with parents in providing meaningful learning opportunities and enriching experiences for each student.
- A parent or guardian for every admitted student is required to sign a Consent and Release Form as part of the admissions process.
- Parents are invited to participate in many of our in-person and virtual LBD sessions, parents are invited to participate.
- The LBD program is well known for its strong and supportive parent involvement, which greatly enhances each student’s experience.
Why is a parent or guardian required to sign a Consent and Release Form as part of the admissions process?
Parents and guardians partner with the LBD program in supporting the personal, social, academic, and career success of each student. Since participating students under age 18 are legally considered Vulnerable Persons, both LBD and parents share a responsibility to ensure their well-being. Clear communication and shared understanding are essential. The Parent Consent and Release Form helps establish this foundation and supports smooth, effective program administration.
If admitted, do I have to re-apply for each subsequent year?
No. Students accepted into the LBD program in Grade 10 remain in the program throughout Grades 10, 11, and 12. LBD is designed as a multi-year, multi-level educational experience that supports students over most of their high school journey.
When will LBD student meetings be scheduled?
Most plenary meetings for LBD students will take place on Saturdays—typically about once per month—as well as on school PA/PD days or during holiday periods. Additional small-group meetings will be arranged at times that work for most participating students. Some special sessions, such as Pursue STEM or Pursue BUSINESS, may include a few days scheduled during March Break. The basic schedule for the 2026–27 LBD academic year will be shared during the LBD applicant-orientation sessions.
What is the cost of the Leadership by Design program?
There is no cost. The LBD program is entirely free. Parents will only be asked to pay a small fee for name badges for both the student and the parent(s). These badges help foster a welcoming community by making it easier for parents and students to get to know one another.
My Grade 10 child will apply for 2026 admission into LBD. If my child is not admitted, is there any way to receive educational support?
Yes. If your Grade 10 child is not admitted into the 2026 Leadership by Design program, they may still receive limited support through the Guest Student program. This service includes invitations to selected Saturday webinars and conferences, as well as an invitation to join the SummerUp Program, typically offered in July and August. Please refer to the Application Guide for more information about Guest Student services.
In the 2026–27 academic year, I’ll be in Grade 11 or Grade 12. May I be considered for fall 2026 admission into LBD?
No. Only students who are in Grade 10 during the 2026–27 academic year are eligible for admission into LBD. Students in Grade 11 or Grade 12 as of September 2026 may apply for Guest Student status. As a Guest Student, you will receive selected services offered by the LBD program. A separate application form is available for Guest Students.
In the 2026-27 academic year, I’ll be in Grade 9. May I be considered for fall 2026 admission into LBD?
No. Only students who are in Grade 10 during the 2026–27 academic year will be admitted into LBD. Students in Grade 9 as of September 2026 should plan to apply for fall 2027 admission, when they will be entering Grade 10.
In the meantime, current Grade 9 students may apply for Guest Student status for 2026–27. A separate application form is available for Guest Students.
When is the best time to apply for fall 2026 admission?
The short answer: Apply as early as possible—ideally well before the deadline of Monday, September 28, 2026 (11:59 p.m.). Applications are reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis. The earlier students apply, the earlier they are evaluated and the sooner they receive an admissions decision. We strongly encourage early applications, as the 2026 LBD admissions cycle will close once enrollment targets are met.
I am a student/parent and would like to share information about the Leadership by Design program with students whom I believe would be interested in applying for admission. What is the best way to advise these prospective students?
We would be delighted if you shared information about LBD with other students, parents, and educators. The best way to do this is by sharing the link to the LBD’s website, plus the link to the LBD’s promotional poster. These resources provide a clear and welcoming introduction to the program and help prospective students learn how and when to apply.
- About LBD
- Download LBD’s promotional poster (Coming Soon)
I have additional questions. To whom should I direct these questions?
Questions may be directed to admissions@llileaders.com
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