Parents Demand Clarity as OCDSB Phases Out Alternative Schools

Parents in Ottawa are seeking answers regarding the future of their children’s education as the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) moves to eliminate alternative schools and Middle French Immersion programs. With kindergarten registration now open, families express concerns over the lack of clarity surrounding the transition and its impact on enrollment, program availability, and sibling placements.

The decision to phase out these educational options was approved by former trustees last spring and has remained unchanged since the province took control of the school board in 2022. Parents are now left with limited choices: English with core French or Early French Immersion. The uncertainty surrounding these changes has left many families anxious about their children’s educational paths.

Bob Gordon, whose daughters attend Lady Evelyn Alternative School, one of four K-to-6 alternative schools affected, voiced his frustration. “We’ve come to accept it,” he stated, referring to the program’s elimination, yet he hoped for a clear plan that would support stability and enrollment moving forward. “What we were really hoping for was that programming would continue,” he added.

In December 2023, parents were informed that no new kindergarten intakes or transfers into the alternative system would be allowed, which raised concerns about declining enrollment at schools like Lady Evelyn. “That’s when you start to worry, when you see an empty school,” Gordon noted. He emphasized the need for clarity regarding the future and what support, if any, will be provided to families.

At First Avenue Public School, parents face similar uncertainty regarding the discontinuation of Middle French Immersion. Parent Erin Gilmer is apprehensive about her son’s future at the school. “I want to keep my son here, but I’m really uncertain about the future of the school without French immersion,” Gilmer said. The school’s principal communicated that the last chance to register for Middle French Immersion will be during the 2026-27 school year, yet it remains unclear if Early French Immersion will be available at First Avenue.

Families are grappling with the need to make significant decisions without the necessary information. Gilmer expressed concern: “Parents are very concerned about having to make decisions without knowing what this is actually going to mean.” The tight timeline for applying for transfers adds to the pressure as families try to align their children’s schooling with those of their friends.

In addition to the educational uncertainty, parents are also facing challenges related to long waitlists for before- and after-school care. This complicates the prospect of switching schools, further heightening the anxiety felt by many families.

Education Director Stacey Kay acknowledged these challenges in a letter sent to families, stating that the board is addressing accommodation issues, including overcrowding and boundary planning for new schools currently under construction. She also assured families that long-term planning for alternative school sites and surrounding schools is in progress, with more detailed communication expected soon.

As parents await further updates, the call for transparency and clarity remains strong. The decisions made by the OCDSB will significantly impact the educational landscape for many families in Ottawa, and parents are eager to understand what the future holds for their children’s schooling.