SchoolsAll permanent residents between the ages of 6 and 16 must attend school, as stipulated in the Ontario Education Act which can be accessed through the Government of Ontario's Ministry of Education website. The Education Act also ensures that all children, regardless of their physical or mental capabilities, have access to education suitable to them. School boards provide a comprehensive selection of programs for children with special needs. Students are generally required to attend the school in the area where they live. Busing is limited. Elementary schools provide programs for junior and senior kindergarten (for children aged 4 & 5) and grades one to eight (aged 6 - 13). The majority of the public school board schools are split into elementary and senior elementary schools, whereas the separate school board has composite elementary schools with kindergarten through to grade 8. Secondary schools provide programs for students in grades 9 through 12. In addition, the Waterloo Region District School Board offers an International Baccalaureate program at one of the area's secondary schools. Tuition fees and Study Permits for any of your children under the age of majority (18 years of age in Ontario) are waived if you have a Work Permit. The school year begins early in September, and ends in late June, with a vacation of about two weeks at the end of December and a week-long break in March. Schools operate Monday through Friday. The school day runs from about 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. English is the language of instruction in the schools, though Waterloo district has a French language school board for the children of Francophone parents. In addition, a number of schools in the public and separate systems offer optional French immersion programs, where all or most subjects are taught in French. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are given where there is a need, at both elementary and secondary school levels, and are also offered in the evenings for adults. - The Ontario Ministry of Education website provides an in-depth description of elementary and secondary education, including curriculum and expectations for each grade level and subject, a school board directory, and an elementary and secondary school finder.
School Boards
In Ontario, there are two publicly funded school systems. To enroll your child in elementary or secondary school, you’ll need to contact the appropriate school board. The school your child will attend is determined by where you live. For information on boundaries, click here. Waterloo Region District School Board (Public, non-denominational)
51 Ardelt Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2C 2R5
519.570.0003 Waterloo Catholic District School Board (separate Roman Catholic)
35 Weber St. W., Unit A, Kitchener, ON N2H 3Z1
519.578.3660
info@wcdsb.edu.on.ca Private SchoolsThe Ministry of Education maintains a directory of private elementary and secondary schools.
Information about private schools can be accessed through the Canadian Association of Independent Schools website. Post-Secondary EducationThe Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities provides a good overview of post-secondary education in Ontario and includes useful links to individual universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, privately funded degree-granting institutions, and registered private vocational schools. Here are several post-secondary options in the Kitchener-Waterloo area including:
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