OCDSB Junior Kindergarten Registration Opens
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has announced a significant change regarding junior kindergarten registration. Families will be able to enroll their children in junior kindergarten at alternative schools this fall, a decision made public on March 10, 2026. This development comes after considerable pushback from families who expressed their desire for alternative education options.
Initially, the OCDSB had decided to pause junior kindergarten programs at alternative schools for the 2026–27 school year. This decision was met with disappointment from many parents who value the unique educational approaches offered by these institutions.
The four alternative elementary schools affected by this decision are Churchill Alternative School, Lady Evelyn Alternative School, Regina Alternative School, and Riverview Alternative School. These schools are known for their distinctive teaching methods, which emphasize collaboration, student choice, and project-based learning, setting them apart from traditional educational models.
In a statement, the OCDSB acknowledged the feedback from families, emphasizing the importance of the alternative program. “We heard clearly from families that the alternative program is valued and that they want the opportunity to enroll their children,” a representative stated. This response highlights the board’s commitment to addressing community concerns and adapting to the needs of families.
In addition to the changes in junior kindergarten registration, the OCDSB is also facing challenges related to its Adult High School program. A programming change is set to affect staff and students in the upcoming school year. Adult High School provides academic credit courses for grades 10-12 and offers students the chance to obtain a high school diploma. The delivery model for students over the age of 21 will transition to a continuing education adult day school register, which is part of a broader resource optimization project.
The OCDSB is currently projecting an $11.5 million deficit for the current school year, a situation compounded by significant budget cuts of $18 million passed in June 2025. These financial challenges are prompting the board to reevaluate its programming and resource allocation across the district.
Stephanie Kirkey, a representative from the OCDSB, noted that the programming changes will have impacts across the system, particularly at the Adult High School site. “It will have impacts across the system, but particularly to this site,” she stated. The exact nature of these impacts is still being evaluated in consultation with human resources and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF).
As the OCDSB navigates these changes, concerns remain among staff and families. Barry Boubacar, a member of the school community, expressed the anxiety felt by many, stating, “Everybody here in this school is worried about the future, what will happen.” Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific program model, grade structure, and final boundaries for the four alternative schools, as well as the staffing impacts at the Adult High School.