Nelson High School Burlington
Nelson High School is a public high school in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. It offers high school classroom education for grades 9-12, and is a member of the Halton District School Board.
Contents
There are currently 1292 students registered in grades 9-12 at this legacy facility.
The current Nelson School (NHS) campus was founded in 1957, and it has been expanded several times throughout its history. Today it is noted for its high level of academic achievement, its robust music and drama programs, as well as its strong presence in athletics.
Nelson High School is rated as an excellent public high school, and it offers a wide assortment of courses for students.
Special Academic Courses
Academically, NHS has a long list of specialized courses and programs.
Gifted Program
Nelson High School is a designated school for the HDSB Gifted Program.
The Gifted Program is a specialized curriculum for students who show an unusually advanced degree of intellectual ability.
Students must first be nominated and evaluated before being admitted into the program.
They then attend gifted “cluster” classes where gifted students are mixed in with other highly proficient students. Gifted cluster classes cover the same curriculum as regular academic courses, but provide a deeper learning experience.
Teachers of gifted cluster classes are selected on the basis of subject knowledge, teaching experience, department head recommendation, and a teaching style which suits the gifted learner.
In grades 9 and 10, course offerings include english, math, science, history, and geography.
In grades 11 and 12, courses include english, math, and several sciences.
Other high schools in Halton Region that offer the Gifted Program include Abbey Park, Garth Webb, Iroquois Ridge, and Oakville Trafalgar high schools in Oakville, MM Robinson high school in Burlington, and Milton District high school in Milton.
SHSM
Nelson High School offers 4 different Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs: Arts & Culture, Engineering, Manufacturing & Robotics, Health & Wellness, and Transportation.
French Language
Nelson HS offers basic Core French classes for students in grades 9-12. French Immersion classes are available at nearby Burlington Central High School.
ESL
Nelson HS provides extensive English as a Second Language (ESL) programs led by teachers with substantial experience working with students in ESL.
OYAP
The school is also a participant in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) for skilled trades.
Feeder Schools
Elementary schools that feed NHS include:
- Aldershot Public School (JK-6), 50 Fairwood Place W, Burlington
- Glenview Public School (JK-6), 143 Townsend Ave, Burlington
- King’s Road Public School (JK-6), 660 Greenwood Dr, Burlington
- Maplehurst Public School (JK-6), 481 Plains Rd E, Burlington
Address & Contact Information
Address: 4181 New St.
Burlington, ON L7L 1T3
Phone number: 905-637-3825
Email:
Website: https://nel.hdsb.ca/
School Board: Halton District School Board
School Type: Public High School
Academic Calendar: Semesters
School Hours:
- Sun Closed
- Mon 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Tue 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Wed 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Thu 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sat Closed
School Size: students: 1292
Religious Affiliation: None
Foundation Year: 1957
School Uniform: NO
Language of Instruction: English
Gender: Coeducational
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Facilities
Parents can rest assured that, even though the school dates back over 60 years, Nelson High School offers a good assortment of modern classrooms and work spaces for students.
In addition, the school also features numerous drama and art rooms, music areas, a library, computer study areas, two gymnasiums, a fitness centre, plus athletic fields** (see Nelson Stadium below).
Sports
Nelson HS is renowned for its sports teams (Lords), and offers a wide assortment of athletic opportunities for students, including:
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Football
- Golf (if being offered)
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Ski & Snowboard
- Slo-Pitch
- Soccer
- Swimming (if being offered)
- Tennis
- Touch Football
- Track & Field
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball
Extracurricular
Nelson School has a wide variety of extracurricular clubs and associations, including:
- Black Student Union
- Chess Club
- Concert Band
- Crochet Club
- Cultural Extravaganza
- Disc Sports Club
- Drama Extracurriculars
- Electric Vehicle Challenge
- GSA
- HOSA
- Interact
- Jazz Band
- Literature Club
- MEDLIFE
- Nelson Senior Club
- Reach Trivia Team
- REVIVE
- Robotics
- Student Reach
- Student Athletics Association
- Student Council
- Student Equity Group
- Student Well-Being Team
- Vocal Group
- Yearbook Club
Nelson High School Ranking
This public high school has consistently scored well in the Fraser Institute’s annual ranking. This year’s score was 7.9 out of a possible 10, and the school is tied for 100th place out of 746 high schools in the province of Ontario. Compare Burlington school rankings.
Online Reviews
Google reviews for the school are currently disabled.
School and Nearby Amenities
For recreation, Nelson High School has two gymnasiums, and a full assortment of track and field facilities.
Nelson Stadium
Nelson Stadium is a multi-purpose (football, soccer, field hockey) outdoor sports facility that is directly adjacent to the school. The stadium is owned by the Halton District School Board and is operated jointly by the school and the City of Burlington. It has a capacity of 1,500 and it is the home venue of the Nelson Lords.
Nelson Stadium features artificial turf, bleachers, a press box, sound system, and night lighting.
Boundary Map
Nelson HS boundaries cover a large catchment area extending from the Lake Ontario shoreline in the south, to the QEW Highway in the north, with Guelph Line on its western edge. and Burloak Drive on its eastern edge.
click map to enlarge
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The Halton District School Board has elected not to publish current school boundary maps. We have published the most recent one we could find, but some information may be outdated.
Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data is up-to-date. It’s important to note, however, that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify exact boundaries or school locations, contact your school board.
FAQ
What grade levels and enrollment size does Nelson High School serve?
Nelson High School serves Grades 9 through 12, with approximately 1,300 students as of the 2025–2026 school year
What programs and extracurriculars are available at Nelson High School?
The school offers a wide-ranging academic and co‑curricular landscape, including:
Gifted Program, and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs (e.g. Arts & Culture, Engineering, Manufacturing & Robotics,
Health & Wellness, Transportation)A variety of clubs and student councils such as Arts and Culture Club, Concert Band, Jazz Band, GSA, HOSA, Robotics Club, Vocal Group, and more
Robust athletics offerings including football, basketball, rugby, soccer, track, volleyball, hockey, field hockey, wrestling, swimming, and more
Where did Nelson High School get its name and when was it founded?
Nelson High School was established in 1957, named after Port Nelson, which became part of Burlington in the 1870s, and ultimately honors Vice‑Admiral Horatio Nelson following his victory at Trafalgar in 1805
Conclusion
Nelson High School has a very good score in the provincial rankings for all high schools in Ontario as shown by the score results from the Fraser Institute.
It’s a special school with its Gifted Program, and it also provides a wide array of additional learning programs and extra-curricular activities that will enrich students’ academic experience in grades 9-12.
Nelson High School is a recommended school.
Next: Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Author: Randy Selzer
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