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Dr. David R. Williams redirection to Palermo PS

Suspended Redirection (Until Maximum Capacity Reached

Update - January 14, 2025

The redirection of new student registrations from Dr. David R. Williams PS to Palermo PS continues to be suspended until further notice. The opening of Oakville NE #5 PS has been delayed and is anticipated to open for the 2027/28 school year. 
Please note the following:
  • Students who live in the Dr. David R. Williams PS catchment that are currently redirected to Palermo PS will complete the 2024/25 school year at Palermo PS. 
  • The enrolment and classroom cap at Dr. David R. Williams PS of 1,172 students and/or 51 classrooms is reached.  
  • The new boundary for Oakville NE #5 PS as outlined in Option 7 of the Oakville NE #3 and #5 Boundary Review will be implemented for the 2027/28 school year.
If enrolment and/or the classroom capacity at Dr. David R. Williams PS is reached, the redirection of new registrations to Palermo PS will be reinstated.​

The redirection of new student registrations from Dr. David R. Williams PS to Palermo PS is temporarily suspended for the 2024/25 school year until further notice as of Feb 7, 2024, in anticipation of the full implementation of the Oakville NE #3 and #5 Boundary Review process.

Please note the following:
  • Students who live in the Dr. David R. Williams PS catchment that are currently redirected to Palermo PS will complete the 2023/24 school year at Palermo PS. 
  • The enrolment and classroom cap at Dr. David R. Williams PS of 1,300 students and/or 56 classrooms is still in place.  
  • The new boundaries as outlined in Option 7 of the Oakville NE #3 and #5 Boundary Review are implemented for the 2024/25 school year.
If enrolment and/or the classroom capacity at Dr. David R. Williams PS is reached, the redirection will be reinstated and new student registrations will be redirected to Palermo PS. 

​When will the redirection begin?


Earlier this year (on Jan. 26, 2023), the community was notified that a redirection of new student registrations will occur once an enrolment and classroom cap at Dr. David R. Williams PS (3199 Post Road) of 1,300 students and/or 56 classrooms has been reached. This cap has now been reached and as a result, new student registrations will be redirected to Palermo PS (2561 Valleyridge Drive) effective Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

​​​Who will be impacted?​​​

The affected school communities are in the current Dr. David R. Williams PS English and French Immersion boundaries. This impacts students who are not presently registered at Dr. David R. Williams PS at the time the redirection is initiated. New student registrations will immediately be directed to Palermo PS. Note that transportation will be provided to Palermo PS.

What does this mean for students in the Dr. David R. Williams PS English boundary?

  • There is no impact on students who are currently enrolled at Dr. David R. Williams PS for Kindergarten to Grade 8 English. 
  • All Junior Kindergarten (Year 1) registrations will continue to register at Dr. David R. Williams PS.
  • New Senior Kindergarten (Year 2) to Grade 8 English program registrations will register at Palermo PS.

What does this mean for students in the Dr. David R. Williams PS French Immersion boundary​?

  • There is no impact on students who are currently enrolled at Dr. David R. Williams PS for Grade 2 to 8 French Immersion.
  • Grade 2 French Immersion students will continue to register at Dr. David R. Williams PS under the following requirements:
    • Current Grade 1 students within the Oodenawi​ PS English program boundary; or,
    • Current Grade 1 students within the Dr. David R. Williams PS English program boundary.
  • New Grade 2 to Grade 8 French Immersion program registrations will register at Palermo PS.

When will the redirection end?

The redirection will reach a conclusion once one of the following occurs:
  • Enrolment and/or classrooms utilization drop below the cap; and/or,
  • The boundary review for Oakville NE #3 PS and Oakville NE #5 PS is completed and implemented, resulting in enrolment pressure relief at Dr. David R. Williams PS. Note this may require the opening of Oakville NE #3 PS and/or Oakville NE #5 PS.

How can we find out more information?

Please view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information that may address situations that are more specific to you and your family. You can also access Board Report 23011 for more information. 
The Find My Local School tool on the HDSB website and Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS) Transportation Eligibility sites will be updated with this information once the redirection is initiated. 
Questions?  Please contact the HDSB Planning Services Department by email at plan@hdsb.ca or by phone at 905-335-3663.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. David R. Williams PS currently has 24 portables on site with space becoming very limited in accommodating future student enrolment. In order to bridge the gap between the current accommodation pressures, the eventual opening of new elementary schools (Oakville NE #3 PS and Oakville NE #5 PS), it has been determined that once the school has reached max capacity, new student registrations be directed to Palermo PS.

The Board is awaiting final approvals to award the tender for the construction of the Oakville NE #3 and 5 PS. Once approvals are granted, the Board has the necessary approvals to begin construction immediately afterwards.

  • There is no impact on students who are currently enrolled at Dr. David R. Williams PS for Grade 2 to 8 French Immersion.
  • Grade 2 French Immersion students will continue to register at Dr. David R. Williams PS under the following requirements:
    • Students are current Grade 1 students within the Oodenawi PS English program boundary; or,
    • Students are current Grade 1 students within the Dr. David R. Williams PS English program boundary.
  • New Grade 2 to Grade 8 French Immersion program registrations will register at Palermo PS.

Transportation will be provided for students that fall within the redirected area within the future Oakville NE #3 and 5 PS catchment area (as per Transportation Eligibility guidelines for secondary schools​).

To attend a different school you would have to apply through the optional attendance process.

Attached is a map for your reference. Tools such as Find My Local School and Transportation Eligibility can assist in helping you determine if you are impacted. It is advisable that you contact Planning Services if you have any questions (905-335-3663, plan@hdsb.ca​​).

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