OCDSB School Review Raises Transparency Concerns Among Ottawa Parents
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board school review of six west-central Ottawa schools is drawing growing attention from parents, as families seek clearer answers about possible boundary changes, new programs and future grade structures.
The review includes Broadview Public School, Churchill Alternative School, Elmdale Public School, Fisher Park/Summit Alternative Public School, Hilson Avenue Public School and Woodroffe Avenue Public School. The process could reshape how students are assigned to schools and what programs are available in the area.
OCDSB Reviews Six West-Central Ottawa Schools
The OCDSB is examining enrolment pressures across several schools in Ottawa’s west-central neighbourhoods. Some schools, such as Broadview, are facing overcrowding, while nearby schools like Churchill are operating below capacity.
For parents, this imbalance has raised major questions about how school boundaries and programs are being managed.
Amanda Case, co-chair of Churchill Parent Council, said the situation does not seem logical when one school is struggling to fill classrooms while another nearby school is over capacity. She believes the review could help create a better balance across the local school system.
Parents Push For Better Enrolment Balance
A grassroots effort led by parent councils has helped push the review forward. Parents involved say their goal is not only to reduce overcrowding but also to protect schools that may need stronger programming to remain active and attractive to families.
One major focus is Churchill, where the alternative program is being phased out. As that program ends, parents are concerned about what will replace it and how the school will continue to serve the community.
Case said the proposal being discussed would redraw boundaries, bring new programming into Churchill, reduce pressure at Elmdale and Broadview, and potentially allow French immersion to be introduced at Hilson Avenue Public School.
The broader goal, according to parents, is to ensure that students across these six schools have access to a more equal and consistent educational experience.
French Immersion And Program Changes Under Review
The OCDSB boundary review is also connected to wider program changes across the board. Last year, the board cancelled a much larger elementary program and boundary overhaul. However, several program shifts are still moving forward, including the removal of middle French immersion and alternative programs.
These changes have created uncertainty for schools such as Churchill and Hilson. Parents say both schools may need new programs to remain strong, viable and appealing to families.
Early French immersion is one possible program being discussed, but parents still want more clarity about how it would be introduced, when changes would happen and which students would be affected.
Transparency Concerns Grow Among Parents
While some parents support the need for a review, many are frustrated by what they describe as a lack of clear communication from the board.
Broadview parent Katy de Sousa said families are receiving information slowly and in pieces, making it difficult to understand the full picture. She said parents need plain, direct explanations instead of vague or overly technical language.
The biggest concern is that the full plan has not yet been released. Without complete details, parents say they cannot provide meaningful feedback or prepare for possible changes.
For families with children already enrolled in these schools, the uncertainty is especially stressful. Boundary changes can affect daily routines, transportation, friendships and long-term school planning.
Families Want Details Before Decisions Are Made
Chandra Pasma, NDP MPP for Ottawa West–Nepean, has also raised concerns about the process. She said families need to see more information before final decisions are made.
According to Pasma, a process cannot be fully transparent or community-focused if officials are discussing possible changes without clearly sharing details with parents.
This has become one of the central issues in the OCDSB school review: parents are not necessarily rejecting change, but they want to understand the plan before it moves ahead.
Parents Hope Students Can Stay With Their Schools
For many families, one key priority is keeping children connected to their current schools. Case said it is important that students already attending a school be allowed to remain there through a grandfathering process.
Parents also want to avoid situations where siblings are split between different schools because of new boundaries or program changes.
Keeping families together is seen as an important part of making any transition smoother and less disruptive.
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