The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is launching a consultation process to explore changes at Uxbridge Public School as officials attempt to address ongoing enrolment challenges.
The proposal is aimed at tackling persistent under enrolment at Uxbridge Public School, which currently operates as a single-track French immersion school.
According to DDSB officials, enrolment levels at the school have dropped significantly, with the current program operating at approximately 65 percent capacity.
At a board meeting on February 18, DDSB trustees approved plans to begin consultations with families and the broader community to examine the possibility of introducing a dual-track program at the school.
A dual-track model would allow the school to offer both regular English programming and French immersion classes.
Lisa Bianca, DDSB’s head of facilities services, said the consultation process is necessary because enrolment numbers are not expected to recover under the current structure.
“Staff have determined enrolment levels are unlikely to return to sustainable levels under the current model,” Bianca said.
If approved, the new program would be introduced gradually.
The school board plans to begin the dual-track system in September 2026, starting with kindergarten classes, before expanding the model to include Grades 1 through 8 during the 2027–2028 school year.
The proposal may also include expanding the French immersion boundary to include families from north Pickering.
Board officials say this change could help increase enrolment at Uxbridge Public School while also reducing transportation times for families currently travelling farther distances to access French immersion programs.
Bianca explained that the new boundary could improve accessibility for families while helping to balance enrolment levels across nearby schools.
While the changes could shift student populations between schools, the board believes the proposal may reduce transportation needs and improve access to programs.
The DDSB is now seeking feedback from families connected to several schools that could be affected by the proposal.
Consultations will include families from:
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Uxbridge Public School
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Joseph Gould Public School
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Quaker Village Public School
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Maple Ridge Public School
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Frenchman’s Bay Public School
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Claremont Public School
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Valley View Public School
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DDSB@Home elementary
The consultation process will run through May 2026.
Residents and parents will be able to provide feedback through several channels, including an online survey, email submissions, phone calls, and public meetings.
An in-person consultation meeting will take place on April 7 at 7 p.m. at Uxbridge Public School, while an online webinar is scheduled for April 15 at 7 p.m.
Parents and community members can also submit feedback by email at UPSBoundaryReview@ddsb.ca or by calling 905-666-6308.
More information about the consultation process and how to participate is available on the Durham District School Board website.
