A school’s attendance boundaries are influenced by many factors. These can include the construction of a new school or the closure of a school. Geographic boundaries may also play a role, as in the case of natural features like waterways, major features such as rail lines and the irregular shape of land parcels.
A boundary change may be required, and is only undertaken when necessary.
Change may occur when enrolment is higher or lower than a school can accommodate. Enrolment can fluctuate due to changes in program offerings, demographics and home construction. Boundary change is often the solution when one school has high enrolment and a neighbouring school has low enrolment. This can be referred to as ‘balancing enrolments’.
The following are items to consider when contemplating a boundary change:
- What is the current and projected future enrolment?
- What is the condition of the school(s)?
- Have the schools been involved in another recent boundary change?
- What is the community support for a boundary change?
- Are there irregularities that require correction?
- Will a boundary change affect other schools or programs at the elementary/secondary level?
- What policies or procedures are in place to guide the boundary change?
Learn more about the Boundary Review Process through the Boundary Review Policy and Procedure, or email us at planning@hwdsb.on.ca.
Upcoming Potential Boundary Reviews:
Flamborough Boundary Review
Purpose
In the fall of 2023, Flamborough boundaries will be reviewed in accordance with an order by the Board of Trustees. This review will consider Flamborough Centre Elementary School and Mary Hopkins Elementary School boundaries.
The review was announced at the April 13 Finance and Facilities Meeting, and is scheduled to be approved at the May 8 Board Meeting.
Advisory Panel Meeting
More information in fall 2023.
Public Meeting
More information in fall 2023.
East Glanbrook & Upper Stoney Creek Boundary Review Boundary Review
Purpose
In the fall of 2023, East Glanbrook and Upper Stoney Creek boundaries will be reviewed in accordance with an order by the Board of Trustees. This review will consider Gatestone Elementary School and Shannen Koostachin Elementary School boundaries.
The review was announced at the April 13 Finance and Facilities Meeting, and is scheduled to be approved at the May 8 Board Meeting.
Advisory Panel Meeting
More information in fall 2023.
Public Meeting
More information in fall 2023.
Previous Boundary Reviews:
West Hamilton Secondary French Immersion Boundary Review
Purpose
On September 30, 2019, the Board of Trustees approved the following motion:
That the initiation of a secondary French Immersion (FI) boundary review between Westdale and Sherwood to align secondary boundaries with elementary FI boundaries for the 2020/2021 school year be approved.
Advisory Panel Meeting
January 29, 2020
Presentation| Minutes
Public Meeting
February 6, 2020
Presentation | Minutes
Central Mountain Secondary Boundary Review
Purpose
As part of the 2019 Long Term Facilities Master Plan Schedule, a Secondary boundary review including Nora Frances Henderson, Sherwood and Sir Allan MacNab was approved by the Board of Trustees on April 15, 2019. This approval requires that staff initiate a Boundary Review to realign the elementary and secondary Central Mountain boundaries.
The schools involved in the boundary review include Pauline Johnson, Ridgemount, G.L. Armstrong, Franklin Road, and the three secondary schools.
Advisory Panel Meeting
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Boundary Review Advisory Panel Presentation | Activity | Minutes
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Presentation
Public Meeting
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Presentation | Minutes
Ancaster/Dundas/Flamborough French Immersion Boundary Review
Purpose
At the September 25, 2017, Board meeting, Trustees approved a recommendation to start a French Immersion boundary review for the following schools Ancaster Senior (Grade 7-8), Dundana (Grade 1-5), Fessenden (Grade 1-6), Sir William Osler (Grade 6-8), Sherwood (Grade 9-11), and Westdale (Grade 9-12).
The purpose of the French Immersion boundary review is to align the elementary and secondary French Immersion boundaries with their approved English boundaries for the 2018/2019 school year.
Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Ancaster Senior Elementary School
295 Nakoma Road, Ancaster
6 p.m.
Advisory Panel
October 19, 2017
Boundary Review Advisory Panel Presentation | Minutes
Final Decision
At the December 18, 2017, Board of Trustee meeting, Trustees approved that the elementary and secondary French Immersion boundaries be approved for the 2018/2019 school year.
Ancaster High/Dundas Valley Secondary School Boundary Review
Purpose
At the October 30, 2017, Board meeting, Trustees approved a recommendation to start a boundary review for the following schools: Ancaster High School and Dundas Valley Secondary School.
The purpose of this boundary review is to align the secondary school boundaries with the already approved elementary boundaries for the 2018/2019 school year.
Public Meeting
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Dundas Valley Secondary School
310 Governor’s Road, Dundas
6 p.m.
Advisory Panel
November 9, 2017
Boundary Review Advisory Panel Presentation
Final Decision
At the January 29, 2018, Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees approved that the secondary English boundary between Ancaster High and Dundas Valley Secondary Schools be approved for the 2018/2019 school year, and that all Ancaster Senior Grade 8 students living within the boundary for Beverly Central community, may choose to attend either secondary school (Dundas Valley or Ancaster High), with transportation being provided. This shall apply to all Ancaster Senior Grade 8 students graduating in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
East Hamilton/Lower Stoney Creek French Immersion Boundary Review
Purpose
At the June 6, 2016, Board meeting, Trustees approved the final decision for both the East Hamilton City 2 and Lower Stoney Creek Accommodation Reviews. Part of this decision included relocating the French Immersion program at Glen Echo and Glen Brae and balancing enrolment between a new program to be located in East Hamilton upon consultation with stakeholders and a new program to be located in Lower Stoney Creek.
This approval requires new boundaries for the East Hamilton and lower Stoney Creek French Immersion schools. The schools involved in the boundary review include A.M. Cunningham, Eastdale, Glen Brae, Glen Echo, Hillcrest, Memorial (SC), and W.H. Ballard.
Public Meeting
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Glendale Secondary School
145 Rainbow Drive
6 p.m.
Advisory Panel
October 12, 2017
Boundary Review Advisory Panel Presentation | Minutes
November 23, 2017
Boundary Review Advisory Panel Presentation | Minutes
Student Transitions
East Hamilton / Lower Stoney Creek French Immersion Transition Meeting Letter
Final Decision
At the February 26, 2018, Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees approved that existing French Immersion students living within the new East Hamilton and Lower Stoney Creek French Immersion catchments, continue attending Glen Echo and Glen Brae and relocate to the new area French Immersion schools as identified through the East Hamilton – Lower Stoney Creek French Immersion Boundary Review for September 2020.
Trustees also approved that students currently attending A.M. Cunningham will continue to move to Glen Brae for Grade 6 until June 2020.
Green Acres/Lake Avenue Boundary Review
Purpose
At the June 6, 2016, Board meeting, Trustees approved the final decision for both the East Hamilton City 2 and Lower Stoney Creek Accommodation Reviews. Part of this decision included that a boundary review be undertaken between Lake Avenue and Green Acres Schools upon Ministry of Education approval of the business cases submitted for both accommodation review areas.
Public Meeting
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Lake Avenue Elementary School
157 Lake Avenue North, Hamilton
6 p.m.
Green Acres / Lake Avenue Boundary Review Public Meeting Flyer
Advisory Panel
Final Decision
At the January 29, 2018, Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees approved ammending the English JK-8 boundary for Green Acres (JK-8) and Lake Ave. (JK-8).
Summit Park Boundary Review
Purpose
At the June 12, 2017, Board meeting, Trustees approved the Accommodation Strategy Schedule. The Accommodation Strategy Schedule includes a boundary review to create a JK-8 boundary for the new school on the Summit Park site, located on the corner of Keystone Crescent and Bellagio Avenue south of Rymal Road East. The schools involved in the boundary review include Billy Green, Janet Lee, Tapleytown and the new school on the Summit Park site.
The goals of the boundary review are to:
- Create a new K-8 boundary for the school on Summit Park site by modifying Billy Green, Janet Lee and Tapleytown boundaries.
- Balance enrolment, reduce accommodation pressure, reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and improve walk-ability.
Public Meeting
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Billy Green Elementary School
1105 Paramount Drive, Stoney Creek
6 p.m.
Advisory Panel
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Advisory Panel Presentation | Minutes
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Advisory Panel Presentation | Minutes
Final Decision
At the May 28, 2018, Board of Trustee meeting, Trustees approved that that the JK-8 boundary for the new school in the Summit Park Neighbourhood be approved for the 2019/2020 school year.
Updated on Thursday, April 13, 2023.