Oakville NE #1 Secondary School

Presentation

Meeting Recording

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 - Oakville NE #1 HS Boundary Review - BRC #1 (virtual)

Download the BRC Meeting 1 Notes PDF

Introduction

• The Boundary Review Committee (BRC) are welcomed to the initial boundary review meeting.
• Superintendent Tara Connor honours the land and territory.
• The members of both the Boundary Review Steering Committee (BRSC) and the Boundary Review Committee (BRC) are introduced.  

Agenda

• Objective and Introduction
• Oakville NE #1 Boundary Review Resolution
• Communication Plan
• “How to Read” Overview
• Review of the Study Area and Growth Areas
• Assumptions
• Options
• Next Steps 

Oakville NE #1 Boundary Review Resolution

• The Board of Trustees approved the motion to initiate the review at the November 4, 2025 Board Meeting. 
• BE IT RESOLVED THAT, That the Board of Trustees direct staff to initiate and complete a boundary review for SRA 201 South of Dundas Oakville (formerly SRA 102 and 103) and SRA 202 North of Dundas Oakville (Formerly SRA 108) to establish a new secondary school boundary for the new Oakville NE #1 Secondary School and to review the distribution of the French Immersion Programs. 

Milestones

• Both pathways for the boundary reviews and reviews, the outline of how both pathways 1 and 2 are happening in parallel are gone over.
• The committee is currency at the initial BRC meeting stage. 

Communication Plan 

• A boundary review webpage is created.
• There is a dedicated email for the review (OakvilleNE1HS@hdsb.ca).
• Communications (notices) are sent from the HDSB to families.  

“How to Read” Option

• Areas are also broken into “Zones”
  • The role of the zones is to make it easier to convey changes or movement between options. 
• The option sheets and their indicators are explained.
  • Green, below 100% school capacity.
  • Yellow, above 100% school capacity but below the max site capacity of the site.
  • Red, above max site capacity.
  • Definitions of the terms are also given. 
• The bar graphs (how the school capacity per option will be shown) are introduced and explained.
  • English = Green
  • French Immersion = Blue
  • Special Education = Orange 

Review of the Study Area and Growth Areas

• Schools involved in the Eng study area:
  • Dr. David R. Williams
  • PS Harvest Oak PS
  • Oodenawi PS
  • Falgarwood PS
  • Forest Trail PS
  • Munn’s PS
  • Palermo PS
  • River Oaks PS
  • Sunningdale PS
  • White Oaks SS
  • Garth Webb SS
  • Iroquois Ridge HS
• Schools involved in the FI study area:
  • Dr. David R. Williams PS (GR 8-9)
  • Harvest Oak PS (GR 8-9)
  • Oodenawi PS  (GR 8-9)
  • Falgarwood PS (GR 8-9)
  • Forest Trail PS (GR 8-9)
  • Heritage Glen PS (GR 8-9)
  • Munn’s PS (GR 8-9)
  • Palermo PS  (GR 8-9)
  • Pilgrim Wood (GR 8-9)
  • Pinegrove PS (GR 8-9)
  • River Oaks PS (GR 8-9)
  • Sunningdale PS (GR 8-9)
  • White Oaks SS
  • Garth Webb SS
  • Iroquois Ridge HS  

Assumptions

• The assumptions when reviewing/creating the options presented are:
  • New boundaries are effective Sept 2027 at the earliest, any final option may include multi-year phasing.
  • Oakville NE #1 HS will contain an English program and Community Pathways Program (CPP); a French Immersion program will not be considered for this review (may be considered at a future date).
  • Special Education Services will defining the CPP boundary for Oakville NE #1 HS.
  • English and French Immersion secondary students south of Dundas St are not impacted.
  • Elementary schools - It is not the intention of this review to change the boundaries or programs of the participating elementary schools but to change the ultimate secondary home school.
  • After review by Board staff, it is determined that the FI program at T.A. Blakelock HS is not a viable program. The following has been determined:
    • Since 2020, the program has declined from 196 students to 61 students.
    • Some FI elementary feeder schools are sending zero (0) students to T.A. Blakelock HS Gr 9 FI.
    • Assuming current progression rules for Gr 8 FI to Gr9 FI, the FI program at T.A. Blakelock HS is projected to remain around 60 students.
  • Proposed boundary change is to phase out the FI program at T.A. Blakelock HS, starting with Gr9 in Sept 2026 and directed to Garth Webb SS. Current FI students at T.A. Blakelock HS can remain at T.A. Blakelock HS until graduation. 

Options

• Status Quo
  • Currently the whole of the North of Dundas for English and French are going to White Oaks SS.
• Option 1
  • Goal for this option was to eliminate split cohorts in FI schools
  • The new schools will only start with grade 9 and 10.
  • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
    • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
  • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 3, 4, 5 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
    • Split cohorts removed - Forest Trail PS and Palermo PS (ENG and FI) all directed to Garth Webb SS , Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS.
  • Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG, Zones 1, 2, 6, 7 FI).
    • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
  • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
    • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation. 
• Option 2
  • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
    • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
  • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 2 to 7 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
    • Split cohorts removed - Palermo PS ENG all directed to Garth Webb SS, Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS.
    • Split cohort remains - Palermo PS (Zone 2 FI) Forest Trail PS (Zones 6, 7 FI) continue to be directed to White Oaks SS.
  • Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG and FI).
    • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation. 
  • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
    • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation. 
• Option 3
  • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
    • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
  • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 2 to 6 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
    • Split cohorts removed - Palermo PS ENG and FI all directed to Garth Webb SS, Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS.
    • Split cohort remains - Forest Trail PS (Zone 6 FI) continue to be directed to White Oaks SS.
  • Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG, Zones 1, 2, 7 FI).
    • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
  • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
    • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
• Question or comments on the options
  • Praise from the committee for splitting the north oakville secondary catchment between schools.
  • Options 3, keeping cohorts together is one of the top priorities for parents
    • Keeping zone 6 within the WOSS boundary makes sense. 
  • Is the number of students leaving FI into grade 9 taken into account?
    • Yes, average retention for FI is tracked per school.
  • Is loser enrolment at White Oaks an acceptable outcome?
    • Yes, there are 2 campuses. 
    • There are other board operations that could use a campus.
  • Abbey Park HS is not part of the discussion, why?
    • We are not looking to make any changes to the English track boundary.
  • Will there be special programs offered at the new school?
    • We are not at that stage yet. 
    • We are investigating a high end athlete program.
    • We are looking to provide as many programs as possible so that students are able to choose their path.
  • In 2032 the projections get into the orange zone, are the numbers assuming the second high school opens?
    • We are not assuming the second new HS opens in the projections.  

Next Steps

• The next meeting is scheduled for February 11th in-person at Harvest Oak PS. 

Criteria to review Options include but not limited to:

Geographic Area and Barriers: Can boundaries comprised of multiple Zones that are geographically contiguous be created, taking into account any physical barriers (natural or constructed)?

Viability of Programs: Can the number of students required to offer and maintain a program in an educationally sound and fiscally responsible way be maintained?

Student Experience: Can the number of school moves students have experienced be minimized? Can cohorts/families be kept together? What strategies can be employed to improve the transition of students resulting from a boundary review process?

Balance of Overall Enrolment: Is student access to programs, resources, and extracurricular opportunities optimal? Is over and underutilization of buildings avoided to the extent possible, reducing where possible the use of portable classrooms in the short, medium and/or long-term?

Stable Long-Term Boundaries: Do the projections show long-term stability and result in avoiding the need for additional boundary changes in the short term?

Proximity to Schools: Are there opportunities for maximizing walk-to schools, safe school routes, and incorporating natural boundaries into the proposed options? Can transportation requirements and costs be minimized?

Other: Other criteria recommended by the BRSC or BRC

Presentation

Meeting Recording

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 - Oakville NE #1 HS Boundary Review - BRC #2 (in-person)

Download the BRC Meeting 2 Notes PDF

Notes

• General Manager Frederick Thibeault welcomes the BRC to the second BRC meeting and the first in-person one, as well as to Harvest Oak PS.
• The BRC and BRSC introduce themselves.
• Superintendent Tara Connor honours the land and territory.
• The current stage in pathway 1 is presented.
  • Currency at the “discussion/review of options” (BRC Meeting #2). 
  • The next step is the public information meeting (virtual). 
    • March 2, 2026
  • Intent is to complete this review by May 2026.
• The agenda for this meeting is presented.  

Housekeeping

• Print outs have been provided to the BRC and BRSC members to use.
  • The Print outs include:
    • Status Quo and all Options 
    • Walking Web Maps
      • Distance from the school within the transportation boundary.
      • There are some exemptions areas.
        • Major roads or no safe crossing.
    • Study Area Map
    • Criteria 
• The BRC welcome additional Parent Representatives:
  • Cara Ducasse (Sunningdale PS) 
• White Oaks SS max portable capacity increased from 16 to 24 portables.
• BRC Meeting #1 Notes (February 2, 2026) - in Google Drive share folder.
• Goals for today's meeting are:
  • Next meeting dates
    • The Public Information Meeting was scheduled for in-person on February 18, 2026.
      • The BRC and BRSC will be moving the meeting to March 2, 2026 and virtual.
    • BRC Meeting #3
      • No changes to this meeting schedule.
      • March 9th.
• Email protocols
  • Please refrain from sharing the presentation and information until after the boundary review meeting.
  • Please direct people to the website. All the information will be posted (except emails).
  • Redacted emails are not to be shared publicly.
• Review of Additional Information requested
  • Registration for Forest Trail PS FI we have reached out for potential interest in attending Sunningdale PS FI. 
  • Transportation: Option 3 will require slightly more buses overall. The main factor is the need to service 2 schools in Areas 6 and 7, which are relatively in close proximity to each other. 
• Criteria discussion
• Review of T.A. Blakelock HS FI program recommendation and update
• Review of Options 1 to 3
• Breakout Sessions
• Debriefs (Large Group Discussion) Next Steps - Public Information Meeting 

Criteria and Discussion Review

• The Criteria are:
  • Geographic Area and Barriers
  • Balance of Overall Enrolment
  • Viability of Programs
    • Suggested subcategory: Availability of programs
  • Stable Long-Term Boundaries
  • Student Experience
    • Suggested subcategory: Siblings
  • Proximity to Schools
• Additional criteria may be implemented as needed by the BRC.
• None of the options will meet all of the criteria perfectly.
• The BRC uses Mentimeter to rank and choose additional criteria for evaluating the options.
• The six criteria are agreed upon as the ones to evaluate the options with.  

Mentimeter Criteria Results:

Boundary Review - FI Realignment

• The BRSC recommended that Pathway #2
• The review will also consider whether a new French Immersion program at Oakville NE #1 HS is warranted and include a review of the viability of the FI program at T.A. Blakelock HS
• BRSC Recommends:
  • That the French Immersion program at T.A. Blakelock HS be phased out of the school starting in Sept 2026 with Grade 9 FI students directed to Garth Webb HS. 
  • FI students currently registered at T.A. Blakelock HS as of June 30, 2026, will remain at the school until graduation. There will be no impact to current T.A. Blakelock HS FI program students.
• Feedback survey is expected to be released the week of February 16, 2026  with a deadline date for February 27, 2026 (dates to be confirmed).
• BRSC will review the feedback and share findings with the BRC. 

Review of Options 1-3

• English in all 3 options is the same
• Option 1
  • Goal for this option was to eliminate split cohorts in FI schools 
  • The new schools will only start with grade 9 and 10.
  • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
    • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
  • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 3, 4, 5 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
    • Split cohorts removed - Forest Trail PS and Palermo PS (ENG and FI) all directed to
  • Garth Webb SS , Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS. Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG, Zones 1, 2, 6, 7 FI).
    • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
  • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
    • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation. 
• Option 2
  • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
    • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
  • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 2 to 7 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
    • Split cohorts removed - Palermo PS ENG all directed to Garth Webb SS, Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS.
    • Split cohort remains - Palermo PS (Zone 2 FI) Forest Trail PS (Zones 6, 7 FI) continue to be directed to White Oaks SS.
  • Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG and FI).
    • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
  • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
    • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation. 
• Option 3
  • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
    • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
  • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 2 to 6 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
    • Split cohorts removed - Palermo PS ENG and FI all directed to Garth Webb SS, Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS.
    • Split cohort remains - Forest Trail PS (Zone 6 FI) continue to be directed to White Oaks SS.
  • Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG, Zones 1, 2, 7 FI).
    • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
  • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
    • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation. 
• Breakout Session
  • The BRC breaks into groups to discuss the options.
  • Option 1 and 3 will be brought forward to the Public Information Meeting.
  • Group A
    • Option 1
      • Fair division for development
      • Straight forward
      • 1st choice for some.
      • Reduces split cohorts (Grade 8)
    • Option 2
      • 3rd choice for some. 
      • Unfair division of cohorts in future changes.
    • Option 3
      • Initial hesitation towards option 3 but with exemption mentioned below the option could work. 
      • Reduces split cohorts
      • Would be 1st choice if: FI students that are at DDRW are legacy exempt kept together for FI high school zones 6/7.  

Results From Breakout Session:

• Next Steps
  • Next meeting is the Public Information Meeting - virtual - March 2, 2026
  • Request for a representative to speak at the Information meeting
  • A questionnaire will be sent out after the public meeting.
  • Final meeting March 9th - Virtual.  

Questions from the BRC 

• If the school starts off with grades 9 and 10 will they be offering grade 11 courses?
  • There may be some reach ahead options. Based on offerings at other schools and will be something the school considers. 
• As a result of the review we may be able to offer more IB at White Oaks due to the increased space.
• Will the HS have speciality programs?
  • High performance, advanced placement and CPP are potential so far. Confirmations on the programs will come in the near future. 
• Will the CPP students be moved?
  • Likely not, but we will follow up for confirmation.
• When considering the programs for the new school are proximity to other schools with the program considered?
  • All HS offer a robust program to all pathways
  • Specific programs are driven by student needs and interest. 
  • There will be an opportunity once the principal is named to see what the students in the feeder schools are looking for in a secondary school.
  • The programs also shift over time at a school.  

Oakville NE#1 Secondary School

White Oaks Secondary School

Garth Webb Secondary School

Presentation

Presentation

Meeting Recording

Monday, Mar. 9, 2026 - Oakville NE #1 HS Boundary Review - BRC Meeting #3

Download the BRC Meeting 3 Notes PDF

Notes

• General Manager Frederick Thibeault welcomes the BRC to the last BRC meeting.
• Superintendent Tara Connor honours the land and territory.
• The current stage in pathway 1 is presented.
  • Currently at the “Review of Feedback/Recommendation” (BRC Meeting #3).
• The agenda for this meeting is presented.
• Housekeeping
  • Today's goal is to discuss the public meeting and review feedback as well as identify final options or options to present to the BRSC for recommendation.
  • The google drive has been updated with material.
    • Summary of questions received from the PIM and the HDSB response to them.
    • Redacted emails from the boundary review email.
  • The video of the livestream and presentation slides are available on the website for viewing.
• Public Meeting and Summary of Feedback
  • The public meeting was held on March 2, 2026.
    • There were 107 total viewers and 39 concurrent views.
  • The feedback survey was also sent out to the impacted schools and community.
    • We received a total of 45 individual responses.
    • The feedback was open from February 20th to March 5th.
    • There was a high turn out of FI responses as well as responses from Pine Grove PS.
    • Responses ranked “Student Experience” the #1 criteria followed by “Proximity to schools” and “Viability of Programs”.
    • In ranking option 1 and 3, option 3 had an average rank of 3.24/5 and option 1 had 2.91/5.
    • Themes from the written responses were:
      • French Immersion
      • Transportation
      • School Distance
      • Program Viability/Quality
      • Portables
      • Programs at the new HS
      • Review process (clarity of maps)
      • Siblings
      • Student experience
    • The majority of the responses heard about the review from HDSB website, Community letter, or School council.
  • Summary of Feedback received from emails.
    • Common themes found on the feedback received by email are:
      • Proximity to schools
      • Concerns around transparency
        • Running two pathways at the same time.
      • Student experience
        • Cohorts
        • Multiple moves
        • Siblings
    • Pathway 1 recommendation
      • September 2027 implementation
      • Option 3
        • Fix split cohort in elementary.
    • FI Feedback (Pathway 2)
      • The FI realignment feedback survey was open from February 19th to 27th.
      • There were 85 individual responses.
      • Majority of the responses (57%) were from Pine Grove PS.
      • 98% of the responses had a student in the FI program.
      • 81% support the alternative option proposed in the survey.
      • Summary of the written feedback received in the survey are as follows:
        • Support or the alternative proposed option.
        • Issue with the 2026 change.
        • School distance.
        • Transportation
        • Cohorts
        • FI programming
          • Distance to program.
          • Future of the program in the schools.
        • Impact on Garth Webb
    • Pathway 2 recommendation
      • Start date Sept 2027 for implementation.
      • The alternative option will be recommended.
• Review of Options 1 and 3
  • Option 1
    • The new schools will only start with grade 9 and 10.
    • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
      • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
    • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 3, 4, 5 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
      • Split cohorts removed - Forest Trail PS and Palermo PS (ENG and FI) all directed to Garth Webb SS , Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS.
    • Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG, Zones 1, 2, 6, 7 FI).
      • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
    • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
      • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
  • Option 3
    • Oakville NE #1 HS opens Sept 2027 as a Grade 9 and Grade 10 ENG school (Zones 2 to 10). Add one grade per year until school becomes a Grade 9 to 12 school (2029/30)
      • Feeder schools - Dr. David R. Williams PS, Harvest Oak PS, Oodenawi PS, Oakville NE #5 PS.
    • White Oaks SS boundary and enrolment is impacted due to change in ENG and FI boundaries and change in family of schools (Zones 2 to 6 FI remain at White Oaks SS).
      • Split cohorts removed - Palermo PS ENG and FI all directed to Garth Webb SS, Munn’s PS all directed to Iroquois Ridge HS.
      • Split cohort remains - Forest Trail PS (Zone 6 FI) continue to be directed to White Oaks SS. Will need to reassess the family of schools for Forest Trails, with the potential to redirect the DDW grade 2 FI students to Sunningdale.
    • Garth Webb SS boundary change implemented Sept 2026 (Zone 1 ENG, Zones 1, 2, 7 FI).
      • Current White Oaks SS ENG and FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
    • Iroquois Ridge HS boundary change (FI only) implemented Sept 2026 (Zones 8, 9, 10).
      • Current White Oaks SS FI students in these Zones remain at White Oaks SS until graduation.
• Breakout Session/Discussion
  • Option 3
    • Favored with the elementary condition and if that does not work option 1 would be backup.
  • Legacy exemption
    • For student with siblings at White Oaks SS
    • Make sure the HDSB communicates that when the older sibling graduates the younger no longer receives transportation.
  • Life Skills
    • Would they be moved?
      • It is outside the scope of the review, there are no boundaries.
      • The special education teams handle it on a case by case basis.
• Next Steps
  • Notification of the recommendations will be sent out to the community as early as the week of March 30, 2026 after the draft report is shared with the Administrative Council.
  • The BRSC will write the Board Report with the Director’s recommendations and present it to the Board of Trustees.
  • April 7, 2026 - report presented to Board for information
    • The BRC will be sent a copy of the report prior to the Board meeting.
  • April 21, 2026 - Committee of the Whole (CotW)
  • May 5, 2026 - report presented to Board for decision
  • There will be opportunities for the community to Delegate the Board at the April 7th and May 5th board meetings and on the April 21th CotW meeting.
• General Manager Frederick Thibeault thanked the BRC for their involvement and time contributed to the review.

Question: Will the school offer AP Prep and AP for the major subjects?

Answer: The HDSB is committed to offering a range of courses and programs for the new Oakville secondary school. When the principal has been selected for the new schools (Spring 2026), the conversation on what programs will be delivered can begin and shared with the community

Question: Is there a plan to ensure that parents more widely know what is happening with the FI boundary reviews? It has been hidden within the title of this 'Oakville NE #1 HS Boundary Review" and I think a more detailed questionnaire regarding FI sent to these parents would be beneficial as a majority of parents with kids not in upper grades don't know this is happening.

Answer: Your concerns are noted. The review of the FI program at TA Blakelock is one of the objectives
that has been part of the this boundary review since its initiation. On Feb 19, 2026 a survey was sent to the FI communities that will be impacted by the proposed option to remove the FI program from TA Blakelock. These include the FI school communities of Forest Trail PS, Heritage Glen PS, Pilgrim Wood PS, Pine Grove PS and TA Blakolock HS which contain over 840 HDSB FI students from Grades 2 to 12. Questions include what the impact of the proposed and alternative options will have on your family and whether or not you support any option. By the deadline date of Feb 27, 2026 to submit feedback, 85 responses were recorded. 

Question: I think a helpful question in the survey would have been if the FI program is removed from TAB to Garth Webb would your child register from FI.

Answer: Thank you for the suggestion - we have noted this for future reference

Question: Are educators being consulted in regards to the program delivery success?

Answer: HDSB Superintendents of Education and program leaders are constantly monitoring and
reviewing program delivery and success.

Question: What is planned capacity and expected enrolment of Oakville NE #1?

Answer: The building capacity of the school will be 1331 pupil places with 18 portables (maximum).This
will add up to a total capacity of 1745.

Question: What are the desired outcomes of offering secondary French Immersion programs at certain locations within Halton?

Answer: The desired outcomes are to offer an optimal program with a breadth of options for students to take, and ensure the proper distribution of resources between FI school to ensure that the level of the program offered is comparable between all locations.  

Question: Can you explain the rationale for redirecting French immersion elementary students at Pine Grove away from the closest secondary French immersion program, and how this aligns with continuity of learning? How does this change support a cohesive pathway from elementary through secondary school? If you’re trying to keep a viable FI program why would you concentrate it at the least central and accessible school?

Answer: The proposed option would direct Pine Grove PS to Garth Webb SS for the FI program. The rationale is that the FI program at TAB is currently declining to a level that makes the program no longer optimal where the breadth of options of courses and distribution of resources is not ideal. Directing Pine Grove students to Garth Webb, while it is recognized it is a further distance, offers students to be part of a robust FI program that offers a greater selection of courses and resources due to the greater number of FI students that is projected to remain stable over the next 10+ years. 

Question: Given the importance of bilingualism to Canadian identity in a time of heightened tension with the United States, how does this proposal strengthen, rather than weaken access to French language education in a time when preserving our identity is paramount? Has the Board considered regional labour market data demonstrating that increasing demand for bilingual talent in both the public and private sectors? Hindering access to secondary school French immersion programs will only decease the number of students graduating from secondary school with French as a second language.

Answer: The Board's priority remains to provide high quality French education in our schools, and that
whatever the outcome, there is a school that will service the need. If we are to provide the highest quality, we also need to ensure we have the resources 

Question: How many responses do you need to reconsider having French immersion programs at T.A. Blakelock?

Answer: There are no policies or guidelines that set the number of responses. The value of feedback is that it provides a window into better understanding the potential impact of an option on individual students and families. In understanding the impact on families, the better the an option can be modified or exceptions can be granted. 

Question: What data supports the conclusion that this reconfiguration is the optimal solution compared to supporting efforts to enhance French immersion registration and efforts to keep students enrolled and successful in the program?

Answer: Combining the TAB FI enrolment with Garth Webb's will increase the number of students of the FI program at one location. The larger the enrolment of a program, the more staff and resources can be allocated for that program and the greater the chances of success for that program. 

Question: Has research been done on why the declining FI enrollment? If so, can it be shared? What research has been invested in to why FI enrollment has declined. Does it match province averages, is Covid a consideration, are the entry grade changes considered?

Answer: There has been no research done by the HDSB on the declining FI enrolment at TA Blakelock. Board staff does track the historical progression of students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 which is part of the development of long range projections for schools and programs. 

Question: If FI is removed from TAB even in future years, you are creating a split cohort out of pine grove students as well as asking many of them to bus further when they could have walked to TAB, why is it better to bus south students north instead of the other way around?

Answer: A split cohort has not been created for Pine Grove with the proposed option. All Pine Grove students will continue to go to the same FI secondary school, if they choose to remain in the FI program

Question: Has the impact of grade 2 full day entry been examined to see how that is now affecting the enrollment in high school as the current grade 9s are the first year that were impacted by that change, which in the south decreased enrollment at the elementary level.

Answer: The Gr2 entry point for FI began in the 2017/18 school year. This translates to the Grade 9 FI class for 2024/25. Future review of the Gr8 FI to Gr9 FI progression after a few more years of history would be of interest to Board staff. 

Question: Do your projections take into account all the children who will leave the program?

Answer: Board staff tracks students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, including students that choose to leave the FI program. At all HDSB FI schools, there are students at each grade that choose to leave the FI program - these historical losses are taken into account and help form of the long range projections of all schools. 

Question: If there is a drop in FI enrolment have you looked at ways of communicating its benefits better/differently as it may be unclear to parents/students how it can benefit them in the future in their careers?

Answer: We would say that the most common reason of why families choose FI for their children is that they are aware of the benefits of French language proficiency. The loss of FI students from grade to grade to most likely due to other circumstances.

Question: Are there targets for enrollment in FI in general? Are their target expenditures per student in general, or for students enrolled in FI specifically?

Answer: Typically we would target a population of 46+ per grade, to ensure there are a sufficient number of students to offer sections at a 23:1 loading. With more students, there are more offering that could be available in French. A school with higher FI populations also benefit from a greater pooling of resources (staff and otherwise), given their size. When a program decreases in size, it becomes more difficult to provide the same offerings

Question: Are there requirements to offer a certain number of programs per capita within a given boundary, or to offer a suite of secondary programs within a certain distance from each residence?

Answer: No. French Immersion is after all an optional program that the Board offers. The priority is to ensure the delivery of the program is optimized, and resoureces are used effectively throughouth the system, as they are limited. Some areas require greater distances between FI locations to ensure there is a sizeable student population to sustain the program. All areas will however provide an opporunity to attend the program, it just may not be in your immediate community. 

Question: Please share the cost-benefit analysis engaged in to arrive at the proposed action of phasing out the French Immersion program at T.A. Blakelock, including any measurable indicators for desired outcomes and their respective values for each option considered (phasing out FI at Blakelock and including the former T.A Blakelock catchment in the Garth Webb catchment, including area 14 in the Garth Webb catchment, or making no change)

Answer: The cost benefit is based on the delivery of resources. Given the small size of the Grade 9 cohorts in recent years, the sustainability of the program beoomes at risk, if there are not enough students to generate enough sections to genate course offerings to meet the program graducation requirements. In order to best use our resources, we therefore pool resources to ensure that prograrm are effciiently run.

Question: Will the Oakville NE#1 also host a gifted cluster? What other programs will be offered (IB, specialised STEM etc). Has the specific programming been decided?

Answer: Once the a school principal is chosen for the new school, there will be more discussion and information released on the type of programs that will be offered 

Question: In an effort of retention, why would we remove FI from the only school that allows students to enroll in both FI & ISTEM or both FI & AP ? 

Answer: Typically we would target a population of 46+ per grade, to ensure there are a sufficient number of students to offer sections at a 23:1 loading. WIth more students, there are more offerering that could be available in French. A school with higher FI populations also benefit from a greater pooling of resources (staff and otherwise), given their size. When a program decreases in size, it becomes more difficult to provide the same offerings. 

Question: Sorry for this being a very specific question. Our twin boys are in Grade 8 at Oodenawi this year. They are going to WOSS - IB Prep - English for Grade 9. We are in the English catchment for the new high school. Will our boys have to move to the new high school for grade 10? Or is it a choice? Is it a choice if
they stay in IB prep?

Answer: If you are in Grade 10 IB Prep as of Sept 2027, then they will remain at WOSS if you choose to remain in this program. 

Question: Will slides with data be available for TAB to show it's current capacity/attendance as well as future projections similar to the other high schools in the past two presentations? This might help to make a more informed decision on things at TAB. 

Answer: We can provide TAB long range projection and update on the boundary review webpage.

Question: I may have missed it, but I didn’t see the numbers/chart if all the southern elementary schools feed into Garth Webb for FI, according to option 1. It looked like the focus was on northern schools. Will it be over capacity (or close) if all the southern schools feed into that school?

Answer: Option 1 and Option 3 as posted on the Boundary Review webpage make the assumption that TAB FI is phased out and add to Garth Webb FI. In Option 1 by 2030, we see that the Garth Webb FI program grows to 219 students with a total enrolment of 1441 students. In Option 3 by 2030, we see that the Garth Webb FI program grows to 189 students with a total enorlment of 1410 students. 

Question: Where is the boundary for school bus? 

Answer: Discuss the Eligibility factors of 3.2 kilometers - Presentation provided additional information based on the request. Pending the availability of infrastructure, eligibility may change over time. 

Question: As most of the areas around sixth line and carding mill trail, and across burnhamthorpe is still under construction (road and sidewalks), what is the plan to ensure the commute to the high school will be safe and walkable for students in surrounding areas? Does the opening of the school align with the
roadmap for completion of all the road and residential construction?

Answer: Halton Student Transportation Services determines student transportation eligibility.