Rick Hansen Secondary School: Rankings, Location & Programs

You might not expect two high schools in different provinces to share the same name, but Rick Hansen Secondary School exists in both Mississauga, Ontario, and Abbotsford, British Columbia — both public Grade 9–12 schools inspired by the Paralympian’s legacy that follow distinctly different academic paths.

Year opened (Mississauga): 1999 ·
Location (Mississauga): Southeast Streetsville, Mississauga, Ontario ·
Principal (Mississauga): Omari Rhoden ·
School board: Peel District School Board ·
Grades: 9–12 ·
Campus (Abbotsford, BC): Rick Hansen School of Science & Business

The two campuses share a name but diverge in curriculum emphasis and geographic context.

What is the ranking of Rick Hansen Secondary School?

How does Rick Hansen rank in Mississauga?

Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga is a public high school operating under the Peel District School Board. It is locally regarded as a solid academic option, though it does not break into the top echelons of Ontario’s high school rankings. No current Fraser Institute rating for the school is publicly listed in available data — a gap that makes direct provincial comparison difficult.

The school’s reputation rests on its consistent delivery of the Ontario curriculum with a noted emphasis on STEM and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs, rather than on a flashy ranking number.

Fraser Institute rankings for Ontario high schools

• The Fraser Institute publishes annual report cards for Ontario secondary schools based on standardized test results;
• Rick Hansen Secondary School is not typically listed among the top 10 in the province;
• Local relevance: it is well-regarded within the Streetsville and Mississauga communities.

The implication: ranking matters less for families who prioritize a balanced public school experience with strong program options over elite academic competition.

The pattern: local reputation outweighs provincial rank for most families.

Where is Rick Hansen Secondary School located?

Mississauga campus address

The Mississauga campus is situated at 1150 Dream Crest Road in the southeast corner of Streetsville, Mississauga, Ontario. It serves students from Grade 9 through Grade 12 and is part of the Peel District School Board.

Abbotsford campus address

The Abbotsford campus — officially called the Rick Hansen School of Science & Business — is situated in the Townline Hill neighbourhood, west Abbotsford, British Columbia. It falls under School District 34 Abbotsford and also serves Grades 9–12.

How to get there

• Mississauga campus is accessible via major Mississauga transit routes and major highways (403/401);
• Abbotsford campus is reachable via Highway 1 and local transit in the Fraser Valley;
• Both schools have parking for student and visitor vehicles.

What this means: the two campuses are situated on opposite sides of the country, separated by roughly 4,000 km. Any family moving between Ontario and BC will find different school districts, curriculums, and program structures.

What programs does Rick Hansen Secondary School offer?

Science and Business focus at Abbotsford

The Abbotsford campus is deliberately branded as the School of Science & Business, signalling a sharper academic focus than the Mississauga location. Its mission is to prepare students for professional careers and post-secondary success, with enrichment opportunities for Grade 11 and 12 students in business and science.

In Grade 10, the curriculum includes arts, Canadian and world studies, classical studies, international languages, health and physical education, mathematics, sciences, social sciences and humanities, and technological education — a broad base before specialization in upper grades.

Specialist High Skills Major programs

The Mississauga campus offers SHSM programs — a ministry-approved specialization that lets students focus on a specific economic sector while earning credits toward their diploma. These are available in STEM-related fields, complementing the school’s general academic emphasis.

Extracurricular activities

Both campuses provide sports teams, clubs, and yearbook committees. The Mississauga school’s public profile notes athletics alongside academics, while the Abbotsford school leans into its specialized business and science branding.

The pattern: program choice depends on whether a family values breadth or depth.

How does Rick Hansen Secondary School compare to other top schools in Ontario?

Rick Hansen vs other Mississauga high schools

Within Mississauga, Rick Hansen competes with schools like Lorne Park Secondary School, Port Credit Secondary School, and Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School. While those schools often place higher in the Fraser Institute rankings, Rick Hansen holds its own as a reputable public option in the Peel board.

Rick Hansen vs private schools

Private schools in Mississauga range from $15,000 to $30,000 per year, according to typical tuition data. Rick Hansen Secondary School is publicly funded — meaning zero tuition — which makes it a cost-effective alternative for families who want strong academics without private school fees.

Is Rick Hansen the best public school?

No — based on available data, it is not the highest-ranked public school in Ontario. But “best” is subjective. For a family in Streetsville or west Mississauga looking for a free public education with STEM/SHSM programs and a solid extracurricular slate, it is a logical choice.

The pattern: Rick Hansen Secondary School is a practical, well-regarded local option — not an elite institution, but not a fallback either.

What is the bell schedule and daily routine at Rick Hansen?

Start and end times

School hours for both campuses are published on their official websites. While exact times vary by semester, typical high school schedules in Ontario run from approximately 8:15 AM to 2:30 PM, with variations for early start or late start cohorts.

Semester schedule

Rick Hansen Secondary School operates on a semester system (two terms per academic year, each covering about half the year’s courses). This is standard across the Peel District School Board.

Lunch and breaks

Lunch breaks are scheduled mid-day, typically lasting 40 to 50 minutes. Students may access the cafeteria, outdoor spaces, or supervised study areas depending on school policy.

The catch: bell schedule accuracy depends on the current year’s timetable. Always confirm directly with the school office before planning transportation or appointments.

Confirmed facts

• Rick Hansen Secondary School (Mississauga) operates under the Peel District School Board (Martin Group).
• The Abbotsford campus is officially the Rick Hansen School of Science & Business (Abbotsford School District).
• Both schools serve Grades 9–12 (Martin Group; Abbotsford School District).
• The Abbotsford campus is in the Townline Hill neighbourhood, west Abbotsford, BC (Wikipedia).
• Both schools are named after Canadian Paralympian Rick Hansen (Martin Group; Abbotsford School District).
• The Abbotsford school focuses on preparing students for professional careers and post-secondary success (Abbotsford School District).

“Be The Best You Can Be” — the school motto for Rick Hansen Secondary School (Mississauga).

School website (via Peel District School Board)

The Abbotsford school “focuses on preparing students for professional careers and further success in post-secondary studies.”

Abbotsford School District official site

For Mississauga families weighing public school versus private, Rick Hansen offers a strong middle ground: good academics, no tuition, and specialized program options that many private schools also tout.

Parents comparing Rick Hansen to other top Mississauga high schools may want to review John Fraser Secondary School, which has held the #1 spot in the city.

Frequently asked questions