Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Opens JK Registration at Alternative Schools

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has announced the opening of registrations for junior kindergarten (JK) at its four alternative schools this fall. This decision comes despite a previously established plan to phase out the alternative school program, approved by former trustees in 2022. Under the new direction from the provincial government, families will have limited options moving forward, namely English with core French or Early French Immersion.

In December 2023, parents were informed that new kindergarten intakes would not be permitted and transfers into the alternative system would cease. However, in a recent update, Robert Plamondon, the provincially appointed supervisor of the OCDSB, confirmed that Year 1 intake for JK would proceed at Churchill Alternative School, Lady Evelyn Alternative School, Riverview Alternative School, and Regina Street Alternative School.

Plamondon emphasized the board’s commitment to equitable programming across the district in a statement posted on the board’s website. He directed staff to conduct localized planning and accommodation studies that may lead to changes in school boundaries, starting with the areas surrounding the four alternative schools.

“This decision reflects the OCDSB’s commitment to student success and well-being, as well as a response to feedback from parents,” Plamondon noted. This announcement reverses earlier plans for an elementary program review that would have necessitated significant changes for thousands of students.

In conjunction with Plamondon’s remarks, Stacey Kay, the Director of Education, clarified that the kindergarten program would follow a 50/50 model. This model entails a full-day, bilingual curriculum comprising 50 percent English instruction and 50 percent French instruction, operating within the existing boundaries of the alternative schools.

Kay also indicated that full details regarding the registration process will be released in the coming days. “We will confirm the specific program model, grade structure, and final boundaries for these four schools following comprehensive accommodation reviews in and around these sites over the next 24 months,” she added.

The decision to open JK registration at the alternative schools marks a significant shift in the OCDSB’s approach, allowing families an option that had been previously denied. As the board navigates the complexities of educational offerings and community needs, this move highlights its responsiveness to parental concerns and the importance of providing diverse educational pathways for students.