Public education

Ontario's public education system is among the best in the world, consistently ranking high in international assessments. It offers students a well-rounded education that prepares them with real-life and job skills they need to succeed in a globalized world.

If there is a discrepancy between this guide and the Education Act, its regulations or policies, the Education Act, regulation or policy apply.

Building a strong base for future success

In 2023, we took actions to refocus our education system on academic achievement that sets students up for success with real-life and job skills.

That starts with clear priorities set out by the province for school boards that require them to focus on foundational back-to-basics learning in reading, writing, math and STEM education.

School boards will be assessed on how they have adopted these priorities in their public multi-year plans.

Your school board must:

  • engage with students, staff, communities and parents
  • use quantitative and qualitative data to develop multi-year plans that are responsive to local needs
  • engage parents within the first 2 months and last 2 months of the school year about its multi-year plan on how it addresses provincial priorities
  • publicly post its multi-year plan, including the student achievement plan

School boards will send us their student achievement plan by June 30 each year.

Accountable and transparent school funding

We fund 72 district school boards and 10 school authorities:

Learn more about school funding and how it supports student achievement and well-being.

School boards have some flexibility in how they use core education funding to deliver education programs and services and maintain school facilities. School boards also must work within an accountability framework.

We protect some funding for key priorities, such as supporting:

  • students with special education needs
  • student mental health and wellness
  • student safety and well-being
  • Indigenous education

Learn how the school system is accountable for the funding we provide.

School options for your child

You can generally choose the type of school your child will go to.

If you are a French-language rights holder you can send your children to a school that’s part of a French public or French Catholic school board.

Types of public schools

Schools are administered by district school boards and school authorities. There are 72 school boards and 10 school authorities in Ontario.

District school boards are divided into 4 types:

  • 31 English public
  • 29 English Catholic
  • 4 French public
  • 8 French Catholic

School authorities consist of:

  • 4 geographically isolated boards
  • 6 hospital-based school authorities

There are also provincial schools and demonstration schools (including Consortium Centre Jules-Léger serving Francophone students) for students who are:

  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • blind or have low vision
  • Deafblind
  • have severe learning disabilities

Kindergarten

You have the option of registering your child for junior kindergarten for September of the year they turn 4.

Some school boards start their school year in August. Check with your school board to learn when you should register your child.

Research shows that attending junior and senior kindergarten gives children a solid foundation for future learning.

Learn about preparing your child for kindergarten.

Your child must attend school if they turn 6 before the first day of school, unless excused. Review the list of reasons your child may be excused from attending school.

Choice of programs

As your child moves through the education system, there will be more options to consider, for example:

Contact your school or school board for more information about these programs.

Find your school

Search for publicly funded schools near you. You’ll find details such as location, contact information and a link to the school website.

Applying to another school within your school board

School boards can have their own policy about how students are assigned to schools or whether families can choose which school to attend.

Visit your school board website or contact your school for the rules about school boundaries in your area.

Applying for admission in a different school board

You can apply for your child’s admission to a school in another board’s jurisdiction in the following cases. For more information about admission requirements, contact the school.

You live near the boundary of another school board

You can apply to send your child to an elementary school in another board if all of the following apply:

  • you live too far from a school in your board and your board does not provide transportation
  • the other board has space for your child at an elementary school
  • the other board is the same type as your existing board (with certain exceptions). For example, they are both English public school boards.

For more information about admission requirements, contact the school.

You own property in another board’s boundaries

You can enrol your child with a school board where you don’t live if all of the following apply.

You must have a property (for example, business or secondary residence) in the other board that:

  • is taxed to support that school board
  • has a taxation value that meets the board’s threshold

School boards can set their own policies about: 

  • how to assign students to schools
  • if the school board allows families to choose a different school

For more information about admission requirements, contact the school.

Your child is in high school

You can enrol your child in a high school in a school board where you don’t live if all of the following apply:

Speak with your child’s school principal for more information.

Know what your child is learning

You can keep up to date on what your child is learning in school and find resources to support them by:

School year calendar

Learn about key dates in the school year.

Visit your child’s school or board website to find the calendar for your school community.

Information about professional activity (PA) days

Your school or school board must post information prominently on its website about what your child’s educators are learning during their PA days.

The school or school board must post the information 14 calendar days before the PA day, and include these details about each activity:

  • date, timing and format (for example, in person or online)
  • name of the person or organization facilitating
  • name of each school participating
  • topic or focus
  • specific material to be covered
  • names and titles of persons presenting or delivering the material
  • how material will be presented
  • learning that will be used
  • titles and publication details of any resources to be used

Guest speakers in schools

As of the start of the 2024–2025 school year, your school will tell you about events and activities with guest speakers or performances at least 14 calendar days before the activity.

If your school needs to arrange for an event in less than 14 days, they will provide you with details as soon as they are confirmed.

This information must include these details about the activity:

  • date, time and location
  • title and topic or focus
  • connections to the curriculum and/or purpose
  • name(s) of the presenter(s), performer(s) and guest speaker(s) and the organization(s) they represent (if any)
  • details of any handout materials, giveaways or literature to be provided

If details change, your school will let you know as soon as possible.

Opting out of certain learning

You can opt out or ask to exempt your child from certain learning.

This includes:

Speak with your child’s teacher or principal about exemptions and how to ask for one.

Stay informed about your child's progress

Stay informed about how your child is doing in school. Get details through report cards, parent-teacher meetings and standardized test results.

Report cards

Kindergarten

You will get communication about your child’s learning throughout the school year. This includes:

  • an initial observations report between late October and November
  • 2 more reports during the rest of the year

Find out more about kindergarten communication of learning.

Grades 1 to 8

Each year, you will get the following for each child:

  • a fall progress report
  • 2 provincial report cards (1 in winter and 1 at the end of the school year)

Grades 9 to 12

You will get the following for each child in high school:

  • 4 report cards per year — if your child is on a semester system (a first and final report for each semester)
  • 3 report cards per year — if your child is not on a semester system

Learn more about report cards and how your child’s learning is evaluated and assessed.

Parent-teacher meetings

Your child's teacher will meet with you to help you understand:

  • your child's progress
  • what is being taught in class
  • how you can help your child learn
  • what you can do at home to help them with homework

Schools aim to provide at least 1 or 2 in-person or virtual meetings with parents each year. These could include you and the teacher, and sometimes your child too.

You can also ask to meet with your child’s teacher or have a phone call with them at any time throughout the school year.

Your child’s teacher can help you get resources and can give advice.

Support your child at home with online resources

Your child’s teacher may also direct you to tools that help your child with their learning.

These may include:

Early reading screening

Early reading screening is an important tool to identify students who have difficulties with reading. The purpose of early reading screening is to:

  • monitor your child’s development in early reading skills
  • find out if your child needs more support

Students in senior kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 will be screened at least once each school year. Your child’s first screening of the year will usually be with their teacher.

Your child’s report card will show the date and results of their early reading screening. Your child’s teacher will review these results to find the best ways to help your child.

Your school will send you information about early reading screening early in the school year.

Ontario Student Record (OSR)

The OSR tracks your child's education journey in Ontario schools. You can

  • review it until your child turns 18
  • ask for errors to be corrected
  • have information removed if it is outdated or not helpful to your child’s learning

Contact your principal if your child is under 18 and you want a copy of their OSR.

You can read the OSR Guideline for more details.

Standardized tests from the EQAO

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) provides individual student reports, which include overall results for each student participating in the Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments. Grade 3 and 6 assessments focus on reading, writing and math. The Grade 9 assessment focuses on math. Your school will send you your child’s EQAO results.

Students also participate in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) that measures whether your child meets the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9.

Successfully completing the literacy graduation requirement is needed to get an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students who do not successfully complete the OSSLT have other opportunities to meet the literacy graduation requirement. Contact your school principal to find out about these options.

The EQAO has videos that explain what your child can expect during their tests and where to find resources.

You can also sign up for EQAO’s webinars.

Accommodations for students with special education needs

Students who have an individual education plan (IEP) must be given the opportunity to participate and demonstrate the full extent of their knowledge and skills in provincial assessments. School boards are required to provide accommodations to facilitate their participation. Students can access accommodations provided in a classroom and in alignment with their individual education plan (IEP) when completing the EQAO assessments.

In a small number of cases, principals can consider an exemption from a provincial assessment. Only students not working toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) can be considered for an exemption from the OSSLT.

High school graduation requirements

What courses students need to earn a high school diploma in Ontario depends on the year they started Grade 9.

Find the graduation requirements for:

Options after high school

Attending apprenticeship training, college or university are some of the pathways your child can choose after high school. In most cases, your child needs their high school diploma for these.

Going to college or university

Ontario has 23 publicly assisted universities, 24 public colleges and more than 500 registered career colleges and institutions.

All schools set their own admission requirements. Learn about applying to college or university.

Going to apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is formal training for those who want a career in the skilled trades. It combines training on the job and in the classroom. As an apprentice, your child can take classes and learn a trade by working under the direction of experienced workers.

Find out how your child can qualify for an apprenticeship, find a sponsor or employer to hire them, or get money or grants to help you pay for apprenticeship training and tools.

Learn about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and other specialized job skills programs in high school that can help prepare your child for an apprenticeship while still in high school.

A teenager wearing safety goggles with ear protection muffs, using a leveller on a piece of wood in a workshop

Attendance

Regular attendance is important for your child’s academic success. In some cases, your child may be excused from attending school.

For example, if they are:

  • being home schooled
  • observing a religious holy day
  • serving a school suspension or expulsion
  • sick or have an unavoidable reason, including a mental health concern
  • not provided with transportation by a school board and there is no school within a specific distance from your house
  • away at music instruction for up to 1 half day a week

Your child may also be excused from attending school full-time on compassionate grounds if they are 16 years or older.

For more information, please contact your school.

Safe arrivals

You and your school both play a part in ensuring your child arrives safely at school. Every elementary school in Ontario uses a safe-arrival program to ensure they know where their students are.

If you have not let the school know that your child will be late or absent, you can expect a call from the school. This is to make sure our children are safe and accounted for.

Safe and accepting schools

We all have a part in creating safe, inclusive and accepting school environments where everyone — children, students, staff, parents and the community — feels welcome, safe and respected.

A positive school climate and a safe learning and teaching environment are essential for students to succeed in school.

All students, parents, teachers, staff and community members have the right to be safe and feel safe in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility for everyone to be accountable for their actions and to contribute to a positive school climate.

Speak with the principal to learn what your child’s school is doing to promote a positive school climate.

Provincial Code of Conduct

You can expect a safe, positive and respectful school environment that supports your child’s achievement and well-being. To help ensure this, we have revised our provincial Code of Conduct.

Our updated Code of Conduct:

  • restricts or bans cellphones in the classroom to remove distraction from phones
  • requires boards to remove social media websites from all school networks and devices so students can’t use social media on school devices or while using school wifi
  • strengthens the ban on vaping and smoking at school by requiring:
    • students found with vaping or nicotine products to give them to teachers
    • schools to notify parents immediately

We are also requiring that report cards include comments about your child’s distraction levels in class.

Everyone in the school community must follow their school board’s code of conduct, which must be based on our Code of Conduct.

To develop and review their codes of conduct, school boards must actively seek input from a range of partners including:

  • students
  • staff
  • parents
  • volunteers
  • community members

This should also include:

  • school councils
  • parent involvement committees
  • Special Education Advisory Committees
  • Indigenous Education Advisory Committees

Your school board must clearly communicate its code of conduct to all parents, students, staff and other members of their school communities.

Everyone in the school community is responsible and accountable for their behaviours and actions. School boards and principals must address serious incidents, including violations of school board codes of conduct.

Visit your school board’s website to read its code of conduct.

Alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vapes, nicotine products and illegal drugs

The use of alcohol, recreational cannabis, tobacco, e-cigarettes (vapes), nicotine products and illegal drugs is never acceptable at school.

If your child is found with any of these items, they must give them up to the teacher or principal.  The school will notify you immediately. The school may also offer support to your child to help them make better choices that support their learning.

The provincial Code of Conduct does not allow the use or possession of the following in schools:

  • alcohol
  • recreational cannabis
  • illegal drugs

For students, this also includes tobacco, vaping and nicotine products.

Smoking and vaping

Students are banned from being in possession of (or using) tobacco products, e-cigarettes (vapes) and nicotine products at school. This includes accessories (for example, vape juice, a pipe, lighter or rolling papers).

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits anyone from smoking or vaping tobacco and cannabis:

  • at private and public schools
  • on school grounds
  • in all public areas within 20 metres of these grounds

Anyone smoking or vaping on school property is guilty of an offence and could be fined.

All members of the school community should be aware of smoking and vaping rules at school.

Cannabis

Students in Grades 4 to 12 under the influence, or in possession of, recreational cannabis may be suspended. They can be expelled if they give drugs to a minor or traffic illegal drugs.

Medical cannabis use in schools is accepted. A medical cannabis user can possess cannabis for their own personal medical purposes under applicable laws.

Cellphones and other mobile devices

As of September 2024, classes should begin with mobile devices turned off (or set to silent mode) and stored out of sight:

  • students Grade 7 and up may not use cellphones or other mobile devices during class time without the explicit permission of their teacher
  • students Grade 6 and below may not use cellphones or other mobile devices during the school day without the permission of a teacher

Learn about exceptions to these mobile device rules.

If a teacher sees a mobile device not stored out of view, they will ask the student to hand it in for:

  • the rest of the class (Grades 7 to 12)
  • the school day (kindergarten to Grade 6)

The student must put the device in a storage area designated by the teacher or principal.

Learn more about the rules for using mobile devices in the classroom.

Progressive discipline and safety policies

Violence, hate and racism are never acceptable in Ontario schools. Our approach to making schools safe involves the whole school and focuses on:

  • promoting positive student behaviour through a code of conduct and anti-bullying policies
  • providing early and ongoing intervention
  • preventing inappropriate behaviour
  • addressing inappropriate behaviour through progressive discipline, which can result in suspension and/or expulsion

Every school must have a progressive discipline policy.

With progressive discipline, principals choose from a range of options to handle inappropriate behaviour and help students:

  • improve their behaviour
  • learn from their choices

The goal is to help stop the behaviour from happening again.

When principals use progressive discipline, they should consider:

  • each student and their circumstances
  • the nature and severity of the behaviour
  • the impact of the behaviour on the school climate

Principals will have ongoing discussions with the student and their parents when choosing an option to help the student improve their behaviour and make good choices.

Learn more about progressive discipline.

Bullying

Your school board must have a policy that protects students from bullying. If you are worried about your child or want information, talk to your school’s principal. They can give you information on:

  • policies to prevent and address bullying
  • plans that outline what school staff do to resolve bullying
  • policies for progressive discipline
  • the code of conduct, which sets out how students, teachers and other members of the school community should behave toward each other

If you think your child is being bullied, Bullying — we can all help stop it has information about:

  • what to watch for
  • what you can do
  • where you can go to get help
  • what you can expect from the school

It also has information about cyberbullying and online exploitation.

Serious incidents

If your child was involved in a serious incident or was harmed, your school’s principal will contact you.

Learn about staff responsibilities to report an incident that happens at school.

Activities that can lead to suspension or expulsion depend on the grade of the student.

Learn about:

If your child is suspended or expelled

If your child is suspended, the principal must make all reasonable efforts to inform you within 24 hours of the suspension. You will also get written notice. If the suspension is for more than 5 school days, the principal will give you information about a program to support your child.

If an incident involving your child is being investigated and could result in expulsion, the principal must make all reasonable efforts to speak to you. You have the right to appeal a principal's decision to suspend your child or a school board's decision to expel your child.

Learn more about what happens if your child is suspended or expelled from school, including how decisions are made and what supports are available to help students return to school.

Sex trafficking

Your school board must have a protocol to prevent, identify and recognize sex trafficking and develop interventions that are responsive to the diverse needs of students.

Contact your school or school board to learn more and ask for a copy of their anti-sex trafficking protocol.

Learn more about sex trafficking, including the warning signs, how traffickers target and recruit people and resources to help prevent trafficking.

Physical safety procedures

Shelter in place

If a major environmental or weather-related event is happening, the school will go into a “shelter in place”. This means that everyone stays inside the school building for protection.

Hold and secure

If a violent incident is happening outside and it is not related to the school (for example, if a bank robbery occurs near a school but not on school property), the school will go into a “hold and secure”. This means that:

  • everyone stays inside the school building
  • the exterior building doors are locked and stay locked until the situation outside is resolved
  • the school continues to function normally inside

Lockdown

If there is a major incident or threat of violence in a school, it will go into "lockdown”.

When a school goes into lockdown, it means that:

  • all students and staff shelter inside their classrooms or other secure areas
  • teachers lock the classroom doors
  • all doors into the school are locked
  • the police are called to the school

All schools must do at least 2 lockdown drills each school year. Your school board should tell you the plan for the lockdown drills.

In the event of a real lockdown, your school board will tell you:

  • where you should go
  • where you can get more information

Contact your child’s school for more information about its physical safety procedures.

Healthy schools

Healthy food, daily physical activity and a healthy school environment support learning and growth to help students reach their full potential.

Learn more about healthy schools.

Daily physical activity (DPA)

Children and youth should least have at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity throughout each day.

Our DPA policy helps elementary students work toward this goal with 20 minutes of physical activity during instructional time. Students can build on this through other opportunities during the rest of the day. These include:

  • extra-curricular activities
  • recess
  • before and after school programs
  • community programs
  • minor sports
  • family activities

Concussion safety

A concussion is a serious brain injury. It is caused by a hit to the head, face or neck or a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.

If school staff think your child might have sustained a concussion, they will:

  • remove your child from the activity right away
  • contact you and tell you to have your child checked by a doctor or nurse practitioner

You should share any medical feedback with the school and related sports groups.

If your child is diagnosed with a concussion, your school should:

  • provide a Return to School Plan, which includes their return to learning and to physical activity
  • track your child’s progress, from removal from an activity due to a suspected concussion to the return to learning and to physical activity

Rowan's Law makes it mandatory for school boards to follow specific guidelines following a suspected or confirmed concussion.

Find information about identifying, preventing and managing concussions and concussion awareness resources. 

Medical conditions

All school boards and authorities must have policies that support students with:

  • asthma
  • risk of anaphylaxis
  • diabetes
  • epilepsy

Learn how we’re supporting students with medical conditions.

Food and beverage policies and standards

Research shows that children with a healthy diet are more prepared to learn and more likely to be successful in school. Our nutrition standards are based on Canada’s Food Guide and apply to all food and beverages sold in schools. This includes:

  • venues on school property such as cafeterias, vending machines and shops that sell snacks and drinks
  • programs, including catered lunch programs
  • events on school property, including bake sales and sport events

Our nutrition standards do not apply to lunches or snacks that students bring from home. Your board may have policies that address food allergies and safety issues that may impact which foods you can bring from home.

Learn about the nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in schools.

Specialized resources and supports for your child

You can get information about targeted programming, resources and other supports that will help your child succeed.

Contact your school or school board about supports related to the following topics.

Special education

Understand the programs and services for kindergarten to Grade 12 students in publicly funded schools and how to access special education programs and services.

Learn about getting an individual education plan (IEP) for your child. This written plan describes special education programs, supports and services the school board can offer your child.

Contact your child’s classroom teacher or special education teacher if you have questions about special education programs and services. They should be the first people you talk to.

You can also contact your school principal, who can help guide you to other school board resources.

Professional assessments

Sometimes, children need professional assessments to help with:

  • understanding their unique strength and needs
  • program planning

The school needs your consent to proceed with these tests. They must be carried out by a legally qualified and registered practitioner such as an:

  • audiologist
  • ophthalmologist
  • speech-language pathologist
  • psychologist

These tests are not mandatory to access special education programs or services that your child may need to learn.

Professional assessments can help:

  • the in-school team with program and service planning
  • the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) with decision making

Identification, Placement and Review Committees (IPRC)

Your principal may suggest to refer your child to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC). In this case, the principal will contact you to discuss this.

You can also ask the principal in writing to refer your child to an IPRC.

A referral will lead to an IPRC meeting. You will be invited to the meeting and can bring a representative to support you.

The principal must give you a copy of the school board’s parents’ guide to special education within 15 calendar days of making a referral for an IPRC. The guide explains the IPRC process and invites you to take part.

The IPRC will make recommendations and decisions on your child’s special education:

  • identification
  • placement

You can appeal the IPRC's decision if you don't agree with it.

Read the Special Education in Ontario Kindergarten to Grade 12 Policy and Resource Guide for detailed information about the IPRC process and special education in Ontario.

Autism spectrum disorder

Children with autism spectrum disorder may need special education programs and services, which could include applied behaviour analysis (ABA) methods. Learn about supports for students with autism who are entering or attending a school.

Your school board might also offer specialized after school skills development programs. These programs offer targeted skills development to support students in the classroom and help them reach other goals.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

If your child had been identified with ADD or ADHD, they may need special education supports. Contact your school to find out what supports are available.

Get more information about support for your child’s special needs.

Supporting students who are learning English

Find resources to support students who are English language learners from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Learn about English as a second language (ESL) and English literacy development (ELD) programs and courses that can help your child develop English skills in high school.

French language supports

French-language learners (students attending a school in a French-language board) have access to supports and resources, for example:

Talk to your school about French-language supports offered by your board.

Support for Indigenous students

Learn about the support for First Nation, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students and how we recognize the unique nature of First Nation and federally operated schools.

Re-engaging in high school

Learn about “supervised alternative learning” that re-engages students who are not attending school to help them re-engage and work toward their high school diploma.

Mental health resources

Resources in schools

All school boards have a Mental Health Leader and a Superintendent with responsibility for mental health.

Visit your school board’s website for information about their mental health strategy.

We give school boards funding to hire mental health professionals.

Each school board is responsible for allocating resources based on local needs and priorities.

If your child is struggling with mental health

There are supports at school and in the community.

At school: Supports are available during the school year. Contact your child’s classroom teacher or principal to find out what supports are available at your school board. They can connect your child with mental health supports available through the school (for example, a social worker).

We will also fund school boards to provide supports during summer 2025. Contact your child’s classroom teacher or principal to find out if these supports are available at your school board.

In the community: Contact your child’s family doctor or a local children and youth mental health agency for support.

School Mental Health Ontario has information and resources about how to support your child’s mental health. There are also resources for students that you can share with your child.

Mandatory learning about mental health

Mental health literacy starts in kindergarten. In every grade, elementary students learn about mental health literacy as part of the Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum.

In an age-appropriate way, students will learn about:

  • the definition of mental health, mental illness and the relationship between the 2
  • ways to care for their own mental health and manage stress
  • the relationship between mental health and substance use
  • signs and symptoms of mental health problems
  • identifying mental health stigma and ways to counteract it
  • when, where and how to seek support for themselves and their peers

Grade 7 and 8 students learn about mental health through teacher-led mental health literacy modules aligned with the HPE curriculum.

The high school HPE curriculum also offers learning about mental health in every grade for students that select HPE courses.

The compulsory Grade 10 Career Studies course has more mandatory learning on mental health. Students learn:

  • strategies for adapting to change and navigating a healthy work-life balance
  • how to recognize signs of being overwhelmed or struggling
  • where to find help locally when needed

Teachers deliver this learning through existing curriculum and new mental health literacy modules.

Giving feedback and getting involved

Engage in your child's education through your school council or a parent involvement committee (PIC). Both prioritize parent participation to support student success, equity and well-being. They are led by parents, for parents. You can also contact or join provincial parent groups.

Attend school council meetings

School councils are advisory groups for schools and school boards. Every school must have its own council.

You are welcome to attend your school council meetings. Talk to your child’s school principal for more information about upcoming meetings.

You can support student achievement and make the education system more accountable by taking part.

Visit our guide for school councils or reach out to your school’s principal to learn more.

Go to parent involvement committee (PIC) meetings

Every school board must have a PIC. Their meetings are open to everyone. You are welcome to attend your board’s PIC meetings.

These committees:

  • offer insights to school boards on how to engage and communicate with parents effectively
  • develop strategies to engage parents in enhancing student success and well-being

Talk to your child’s school principal for more information about upcoming meetings.

Find more information about parent involvement committees.

Learn about provincial parent organizations

School councils, PICs and parents may choose to join a provincial parent organization:

These organizations provide:

  • direct support for parents to be even more engaged in their children’s learning
  • virtual and in-person sessions and conferences
  • support for a provincewide network of parents

More opportunities for feedback

School boards must meet with parents about their multi-year plans twice a year:

  • within the first 2 months of the school year to discuss the plan
  • in the last 2 months of the school year to report on progress and results

School boards will tell you about planned and actual spending details during these meetings.

Watch out for information about meeting details from your school or school board.

There are other ways to offer your opinions and suggestions. Be open to opportunities to give input to your school board’s:

  • bullying prevention and intervention plans
  • board equity and inclusive education policies
  • programs for students on long-term suspension or expulsion
  • concussion and prevalent medical condition policies
  • school climate surveys

You can actively shape and influence policies that affect your child by getting in touch with your school board and discovering more ways to contribute.

Questions or concerns about your child’s education

Your first point of contact for discussions about your child’s progress, activities and experiences at school should always be your child’s teacher or principal.

Contact your local school board or school authority if you have questions or concerns about how they implement education policies and programs. You also can also connect with your locally elected school trustee.

Starting in the 2024-25 school year, we require school boards to make standards for acknowledging and responding to parent inquiries.

The Ministry of Education is responsible for:

  • funding and oversight of publicly funded elementary and secondary school education
  • developing and publishing curriculum and teaching resources for kindergarten to Grade 12
  • setting provincial standards and guidelines for all assessment, evaluation and reporting for all students who attend public or private schools in Ontario
  • overseeing the EQAO, which administers provincial standardized testing
  • setting requirements for student diplomas and certificates and what is needed to graduate high school
  • providing funding to build new schools and expand, retrofit or repair existing schools
  • operating English-language schools for blind, Deaf and deafblind students or students who have severe learning disabilities
  • registering and inspecting private schools that offer credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)