How to Register

Get information on how to enrol your child in Kindergarten.

Registration for the 2025-26 school year opens February 7, 2025. Please check back on this date for the updated registration form. We look forward to welcoming you to HWDSB!

During the school year, students new to the area and already of school age must register at their in-catchment (home) elementary school. Find your child’s home school in School Locator. For the out-of-catchment school process, click here.

If arriving during the summer, students must register at their in-catchment (home) school during the last week of August.

Who may register at school directly?

• Canadian Citizen student or student who has applied for Canadian citizenship
• Permanent Resident student or dependent of permanent residents in Canada
• Student or dependent of a parent holding immigration documentation verifying refugee status, e.g. a Notice of Decision letter for Convention Refugee status or a Refugee Claimant Protection Document
• Dependent of a parent who is on a Work Permit in Canada.

Who should come to the Admissions Office PRIOR to registering at school?

• International fee paying student who has a visitor Visa or Study Permit
• International Exchange student
• Dependent of a parent who is on a Study Permit in Ontario
• Student who has applied for Permanent Residence status in Canada and is awaiting approval
• Canadian or Permanent Resident student whose parents live outside of Ontario
• Student who has applied for refugee status but has not received documentation from Canada Immigration authorities verifying status
• Dependent of a parent on a Temporary Resident Permit, Cleric Permit, Diplomat Status or Minister’s Permit
• Student who has No Status or No Documentation in Canada

Bring the following original documents when registering at school:

• Completed Student Registration Form (found at bottom of webpage)
• Proof of child’s age: birth certificate, passport, baptismal certificate or permanent resident card
• Proof of address: current utility bill, current home phone/cable/internet bill, current lease or purchase agreement, current property tax bill or current government mail (e.g. Service Ontario or Canada Revenue Agency)
  • Note: Driver’s license, cell phone bill or bank statement can not be accepted as per Ministry requirement
• Proof of status in Canada: Canadian birth certificate or Canadian passport or proof of student’s Canadian citizenship application (including copy of the application, receipt from Canada immigration and mail/courier receipt), Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter, Refugee Claimant Protection Document, Notice of Decision letter for Convention Refugee status or Parent’s Work Permit
  • Note: An Ontario health card can not be used as proof of status, i.e. Canadian citizen or permanent resident status.
• Proof of custody (if applicable): if a student is under 18 but not living with a biological parent, then one of these documents must be provided as proof of custody: Court Order, CAS letter, adoption papers, notarized Guardianship Agreement or notarized custodianship declaration forms (specifically for international students)

In addition,

• It may be helpful to bring any previous school records or documents i.e. an IEP for programming and student support purposes.
• Immunization/vaccine records

Parents are responsible for submitting their school-age child’s immunization/vaccine record to Hamilton Public Health. For more information on how to submit the immunization record and/or Hamilton Public Health protocols regarding vaccine exemptions, please visit hamilton.ca/vaccines.

Students that move during the course of the school year or switch from a French-Immersion (FI) program to English, will be allowed to attend their current school for the remainder of the school year (even if their current school is closed to Out-of-Catchment). Students must attend their home school for the following school year.

Find your child’s home school in School Locator. For the out-of-catchment school process, click here.

If arriving during the summer, students must register at their in-catchment (home) school during the last week of August.

Who may register at school directly?

• Canadian Citizen student or student who has applied for Canadian citizenship
• Permanent Resident student or dependent of permanent residents in Canada
• Student or dependent of a parent holding immigration documentation verifying refugee status, e.g. a Notice of Decision letter for Convention Refugee status or a Refugee Claimant Protection Document
• Dependent of a parent who is on a Work Permit in Canada.

Who should come to the Admissions Office PRIOR to registering at school?

• International fee paying student who has a visitor Visa or Study Permit
• International Exchange student
• Dependent of a parent who is on a Study Permit in Ontario
• Student who has applied for Permanent Residence status in Canada and is awaiting approval
• Canadian or Permanent Resident student whose parents live outside of Ontario
• Student who has applied for refugee status but has not received documentation from Canada Immigration authorities verifying status
• Dependent of a parent on a Temporary Resident Permit, Cleric Permit, Diplomat Status or Minister’s Permit
• Student who has No Status or No Documentation in Canada

Bring the following original documents when registering at school:

• Completed Student Registration Form (found at bottom of webpage)
• Proof of child’s age: birth certificate, passport, baptismal certificate or permanent resident card
• Proof of address: current utility bill, current home phone/cable/internet bill, current lease or purchase agreement, current property tax bill or current government mail (e.g. Service Ontario or Canada Revenue Agency)
  • Note: Driver’s license, cell phone bill or bank statement can not be accepted as per Ministry requirement
• Proof of status in Canada: Canadian birth certificate or Canadian passport or proof of student’s Canadian citizenship application (including copy of the application, receipt from Canada immigration and mail/courier receipt), Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter, Refugee Claimant Protection Document, Notice of Decision letter for Convention Refugee status or Parent’s Work Permit
  • Note: An Ontario health card can not be used as proof of status, i.e. Canadian citizen or permanent resident status.
• Proof of custody (if applicable): if a student is under 18 but not living with a biological parent, then one of these documents must be provided as proof of custody: Court Order, CAS letter, adoption papers, notarized Guardianship Agreement or notarized custodianship declaration forms (specifically for international students)

In addition,

• It may be helpful to bring any previous school records or documents i.e. an IEP for programming and student support purposes.
• Immunization/vaccine records

Parents are responsible for submitting their school-age child’s immunization/vaccine record to Hamilton Public Health. For more information on how to submit the immunization record and/or Hamilton Public Health protocols regarding vaccine exemptions, please visit hamilton.ca/vaccines.

During the school year, students new to the area and previously enrolled in secondary school must register at their in-catchment (home) secondary school. Find your homeschool in School Locator. For the out-of-catchment school process, click here.

If arriving during the summer, contact your home school for information regarding the registration process.

If you are transferring from a secondary school outside of Ontario, or from a non-inspected private school or a homeschooling environment, you will need to contact the Welcome Centre to book an English and numeracy or Prior Learning Equivalency Credit (PLEC) assessment PRIOR to registering at school.

Who may register at school directly?

• Canadian Citizen student or student who has applied for Canadian citizenship
• Permanent Resident student or dependent of permanent residents in Canada
• Student or dependent of a parent holding immigration documentation verifying refugee status, e.g. a Notice of Decision letter for Convention Refugee status or a Refugee Claimant Protection Document
• Dependent (under 18) of a parent who is on a Work Permit in Canada. If the student is 18 or above and accompanies a parent on a Work Permit, the student/parent must be directed to the Admissions Office PRIOR to school registration.

Who should come to the Admissions Office PRIOR to registering at school?

• International fee-paying who has a visitor Visa or Study Permit
• International Exchange student
• Dependent of a parent who is on a Study Permit in Ontario
• Student (ONLY 18 and above) accompanying a parent who is on a Work Permit
• Student who has applied for Permanent Residence status in Canada and is awaiting approval
• Canadian or Permanent Resident student (under 18) whose parents live outside of Ontario
• Student who has applied for refugee status but has not received documentation from Canada Immigration authorities
• Dependent of a parent on a Temporary Resident Permit, Cleric Permit, Diplomat Status or Minister’s Permit
• Student who has No Status or No Documentation in Canada

Bring the following original documents when registering at school:

• Completed and signed (found at bottom of webpage)
• Proof of child’s age: birth certificate, passport, baptismal certificate or permanent resident card
• Proof of address: current utility bill, current home phone/cable/internet bill, current lease or purchase agreement, current property tax bill or current government mail (e.g. Service Ontario or Canada Revenue Agency)
  • Note: Driver’s license, cell phone bill or bank statement can not be accepted as per Ministry requirement
• Proof of status in Canada: Canadian birth certificate or Canadian passport or proof of student’s Canadian citizenship application (including copy of the application, receipt from Canada immigration and mail/courier receipt), Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter, Refugee Claimant Protection Document, Notice of Decision letter for Convention Refugee status or Parent’s Work Permit
  • Note: An Ontario health card can not be used as proof of status, i.e. Canadian citizen or permanent resident status.
• Proof of custody (if applicable): if a student is under 18 but not living with a biological parent, then one of these documents must be provided as proof of custody: Court Order, CAS letter, adoption papers, notarized Guardianship Agreement or notarized custodianship declaration forms (specifically for international students)

In addition,

• It may be helpful to bring any previous school records or documents i.e. an IEP for programming and student support purposes.
• Immunization / Vaccines record

Parents are responsible for submitting their school-age child’s immunization/ vaccine record to Hamilton Public Health. For more information on how to submit the immunization record and/or Hamilton Public Health protocols regarding vaccine exemptions, please visit hamilton.ca/vaccines.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has established a web page where you can learn more about the Welcome Centre.

The HWDSB Welcome Centre welcomes hundreds of new students every year, whether they are new to Canada or new to the Ontario public school system. It supports students and families with their transition to Hamilton, Ontario, as students begin their new school experience at HWDSB.

The Welcome Centre’s Admissions Office and assessment staff work together to provide services that make starting school a smooth process. The Welcome Centre also supports adult students with initial assessments as they resume their studies towards achieving their Ontario High School Diploma.

What school will my child attend?

Find and Register for School  to help identify a school.

What time does the bus pickup/drop-off my student?

Use our Bus Stop Finder to help identify the times.

What programs can my child take?

Please visit our programs webpage to see what is available for your child.

• Elementary Programs
• Secondary Programs

Where can I get transportation information?

Learn more about Transportation to our schools.

• Ancaster High
• Bernie Custis
• Dundas Valley
• Orchard Park
• Sherwood (not inclusive of French Immersion)
• Sir Allan MacNab
• Sir Winston Churchill
• Waterdown

• Glendale
• Nora Frances Henderson
• Saltfleet
• Westdale

What is the Board’s Out-of-Catchment practice?

In elementary, a principal may receive out-of-catchment requests through a completed application form if their school is open to Out-of-Catchment.

In secondary, a review committee may consider out-of-catchment requests through a completed application form if a school is open to Out-of-Catchment.

What are the criteria for closing a school to Out-of-Catchment students?

• Schools with significant accommodation or development pressures
• Schools holding students for a new school.
• Schools to undergo a boundary review in the upcoming year.
• Schools with French Immersion programs.
• If the school is involved in a pupil accommodation review during the upcoming school year.

Who approves the application?

At the elementary level, the school’s principal approves the application and his/her decision is final. In secondary schools, a committee made up of superintendents and administrators will review applications.

When do I have to apply for Out-of-Catchment?

Application dates for Out-of-Catchment will be posted during the week of January 29, 2024.

If I have a child already attending a school Out-of-Catchment, will my other children be able to attend the same school?

Only if the school is accepting Out-of-Catchment applications.

Can my child stay in the Out-of-Catchment area when moving from an elementary junior to middle school?

No. A new Out-of-Catchment request is required. If there is no space, the child will have to return to their home middle school.

Can my child stay in the Out-of-Catchment area when moving from elementary to secondary school?

No. A new Out-of-Catchment request is required. If there is no space, the child will have to return to their home secondary school.

If my child is accepted at an Out-of-Catchment school, could they be asked to return to their home school if enrolment increases?

Once an Out-of-Catchment request is accepted, the student will be allowed to attend the school until graduation from the school in which the Out-of-Catchment application was granted.

Will my child receive transportation to their Out-of-Catchment school?

Transportation is not provided for Out-of-Catchment students.

Can my child attend a French Immersion school that is Out-of-Catchment?

No, all schools with a French Immersion Program are closed to Out-of-Catchment.

I have a French Immersion school within my catchment area that I would like my child to attend in JK. Can I enrol them in this school (Courtesy JK Registration)?

The French Immersion Program starts at Grade 1. All schools with French Immersion are closed to Out-of-Catchment students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8.