DCDSB: Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We would like to share important information regarding upcoming boundary reviews connected to the new Seaton #1 Catholic Elementary School in Pickering. These changes affect select schools in Pickering and Ajax. In this letter, you will find background details, an overview of the proposed boundary revisions, and information about upcoming public meetings and ways for families to provide feedback. 

To support families throughout this process, we’ve created a dedicated Seaton #1 and Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study webpage. This page will be updated regularly with the latest information. Please visit dcdsb.ca/SeatonBoundaryReview to learn more. 

Proposed Boundaries, Maps and Implementation Considerations

There are three recommendations that are being considered in this boundary study as a result of the new Seaton #1 Catholic School construction. These include the adjustment of Seaton #1 Catholic School Boundary (recommendation #1), a boundary adjustment to St. André Bessette Catholic School, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, and St. Jude Catholic School (recommendation #2), and a boundary adjustment to Notre Dame and Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic Secondary Schools to align with the proposed changes in recommendations #1 and #2 (recommendation #3). Information on these recommendations can be found below. 

St. Jude Catholic School: What Families Need to Know

• A boundary change is being proposed to maintain a balanced school population and programming at all three Ajax schools (St. Catherine of Siena, St. André Bessette and St. Jude) that are part of this review.
• The proposed boundary change would come into effect in September 2027 (anticipated), after the new Seaton #1 Catholic School opens.
• The St. Jude boundary is proposed to change to remove study areas that are currently part of the St. Jude boundary in September 2027 (anticipated) and incorporate them into the St. Catherine of Siena boundary.
• In the proposed boundary, students in the impacted study areas attending St. Jude would be redirected to St. Catherine of Siena.
• In the proposed boundary reviews, Grade 7 students enrolled at St. Catherine of Siena and St. Jude in June 2027 would attend the school associated with their new boundary or remain at their current school for the 2027-2028 school year when they are in Grade 8. A survey of parents of Grade 7 students would be conducted in the 2026-2027 school year to determine whether they will graduate from their current school or transition to the new school. The majority preference will guide the decision, along with program viability.
• In the proposed recommendation, any new student moving into the new St. André Bessette, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Jude boundary after January of 2027 would be directed to the Catholic school associated with the new boundary.
• For students who are within the new St. Jude Catholic School boundary, the secondary school is Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School.
• For students in the new St. Catherine of Siena boundary, the secondary school is proposed to be Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.
• Transportation will continue to follow the Board’s Transportation Policy (PO429). 

View the proposed boundary map on our website.

Public Consultation and Next Steps

Through a series of public meetings, the board will compile considerations and recommendations to bring to the DCDSB Regular Board Meeting in December 2025.

The Durham Catholic District School Board is committed to an open and transparent process that allows for public input through a variety of means. Public meetings have been scheduled on the dates below to present the options under consideration and to offer our parents and guardians the opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

The dates and locations for these meetings are as follows:

If you require accessible accommodations to participate in any of the public meetings, please contact Facilities Services at 905-576-6150 ext. 22353 in advance of the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 

Following these community meetings, staff will present the final boundary recommendations and address any implementation issues at the December 2025 Regular Board Meeting for final approval by the Board of Trustees.

Provide Feedback on the Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study

If you have questions or comments regarding the Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study, we welcome feedback from our Durham Catholic learning community by:

• Attending one of the above public meetings
• Completing our Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study feedback form
• Contacting us via phone at: 905-576-6150 ext. 42252
• Emailing us at: planning@dcdsb.ca 

Updates will continue to be provided to families via SchoolMessenger and on the Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools webpage.

Sincerely,

Katharine Stevenson                           Scott Grieve
Superintendent of Education            Superintendent of Business, Finance & Facilities