Register your kids in school

The big picture

In Ontario, education is mandatory for kids aged 6 to 18. Most start full-day kindergarten in the year they turn 4. Public, Catholic, and French schools are all funded by the province and tuition is free.

Four school systems to choose from

Ontario funds four parallel systems — pick the one that fits your family:

1. English Public — most common; serves all faiths and backgrounds
2. English Catholic — open to non-Catholic families in many Northern boards (Thunder Bay Catholic explicitly welcomes families "from any background")
3. French Public — instruction entirely in French (some boards run "centres" for non-Francophone families)
4. French Catholic — same as French Public, with a Catholic faith dimension

French-language schools are guaranteed under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter for families where at least one parent's first language is French.

Northern Ontario school boards

Region	English Public	English Catholic
Thunder Bay / NWO	Lakehead DSB	Thunder Bay Catholic DSB
Sudbury	Rainbow DSB	Sudbury Catholic DSB
Sault Ste. Marie	Algoma DSB	Huron-Superior Catholic DSB
North Bay	Near North DSB	Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic DSB
Timmins	District School Board Ontario North East	Northeastern Catholic DSB

French-language coverage across NWO and NEO comes through the Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord (CSPGNO), Conseil scolaire catholique des Aurores boréales, and similar regional boards.

What documents do I need?

When can I register?

Year-round. You don't have to wait for September. Schools accept newcomer registrations any time.

For kindergarten specifically, most boards open registration in January or February for the following September. Lakehead DSB and Thunder Bay Catholic DSB both run Kindergarten Open Houses each January.

How to register

1. Find your local school using the board's school locator (links above)
2. Call or visit the school office during school hours
3. Bring your documents — they'll photocopy what they need and return your originals
4. If your child needs language support, ask about ESL/ELL assessment
5. If your child arrived recently, ask the office to connect you with a SWIS worker (see below)

What about English language support?

Every English-language school board in Northern Ontario provides ESL (English as a Second Language), also called English Language Learning (ELL) and English Literacy Development (ELD). Many boards run an assessment centre where your child's English and math skills are evaluated for placement. Support is provided in the regular classroom plus pull-out sessions as needed.

Immunization requirements

Under Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), all students must be vaccinated against (or have a valid exemption from):

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal disease
• Varicella (chickenpox) — required for students born in 2010 or later

Missing vaccines won't stop your child from being enrolled. The local public health unit follows up after registration and can give catch-up vaccines for free. Thunder Bay families: Thunder Bay District Health Unit, 1-888-294-6630.

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) — free help

SWIS is a federally-funded program that places settlement workers inside Northern Ontario schools. They help newcomer families with:

• Registering kids and choosing the right school
• Translating documents and interpreting at meetings
• Connecting families to community services (housing, food banks, language classes)
• Settling kids in socially during their first weeks

SWIS is free, confidential, and doesn't ask about immigration status. In Northwestern Ontario, SWIS is delivered by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association in partnership with school boards. Ask the school office or call TBMA directly.

What about cost?

Tuition is free. For activity fees, school supplies, or field-trip costs, most boards waive these on request — just ask the principal or your SWIS worker. No income documentation typically required.

Most Northern Ontario schools also have a Student Nutrition Program providing free breakfast or snacks. Free school bus transportation is provided if you live beyond walking distance (typically 1.6 km for elementary, 3.2 km for secondary).

Before- and after-school care

Most elementary schools partner with the YMCA or licensed operators to provide before- and after-school programs. Costs can be subsidized through the Ontario Child Care Fee Subsidy. In Northwestern Ontario, apply through the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board.

Local services across Northern Ontario

Verified entries from settlement.org and 211 Ontario directories. Indigenous Friendship Centres run alternative secondary schools, cultural learning, and youth education programs alongside school boards. Confirm hours before visiting.

Thunder Bay

• Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre — 401 North Cumberland Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4P7. 807-345-5840 · toll-free 1-855-345-5840. Cultural programming, Indigenous family support, and youth education programs (OFIFC member).

Greater Sudbury

• N'Swakamok Indigenous Friendship Centre — 110 Elm Street, Sudbury, ON P3C 1T5. (705) 674-2128. Operates an alternative secondary school, Akwe:go child program, Apatisiwin employment program, and cultural programs.

Sault Ste. Marie

• Indigenous Friendship Centre Sault Ste. Marie — 122 East Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3C6. 705-256-5634. Indigenous youth programs, mental wellness, employment & training, and courtwork (multiple sites: 268 Wellington W, 376–378 Queen, 188 Kohler).

North Bay

• North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (NBIFC) — 980 Cassells Street, North Bay. 705-472-2811 · toll-free 1-888-472-0599. Wasa Nabin and Akwe:go youth programs, Healthy Babies Healthy Children, Indigenous Family Support, and Apatisiwin Employment & Training.

Timmins

• Timmins Native Friendship Centre — 179 Kirby Avenue, Timmins, ON P4N 1K1. 705-268-6262 · toll-free 1-844-200-2686. Alternative secondary school, Indigenous healing and wellness, cultural programs, and community supports (Mon–Fri 8:30–4:30).

Sources & references: Local services cross-referenced with settlement.org (OCASI's Ontario newcomer directory) and 211 Ontario. Confirm current hours and intake before visiting.

Last reviewed: April 2026. Confirm current registration details with your local board before going.