2024 Attendance Area and Grade Structure Review
This year, we partnered with Watson and Associates Economists Ltd. to update our Long-Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP). Using updated enrolment projections, we addressed both immediate and long-term accommodation needs across our district.
A key recommendation from the LTAP update (completed February 2024) is to conduct an attendance area and grade structure review for West Guelph and secondary schools. The primary objectives of this review are to balance enrolment, optimize space and resources, and address both underutilized and over-capacity schools. By redistributing students, we aim to create a more equitable use of facilities, reduce surplus capacity, and relieve pressures in schools experiencing or expecting enrolment growth.
As part of our attendance area and grade structure review, a committee has been established with parent representatives from each school within the study areas. The option to create a new 7-8 grade structure was proposed by planning consultants as a proposed solution to enrolment pressures while maintaining students within their family of schools community. Variations of this option, combined with boundary adjustments and the utilization of capacity at other locations, were thoroughly considered during the committee meetings. The Committee chose two options as preferred scenarios to present to the broader community for consideration, variation and feedback that took into account the community needs, available space and long term sustainability.
Alongside the work of this committee, we have hosted parent information sessions to receive in person feedback, soliciting variations and answer any questions on the process thus far, and have opened a survey to gather insights from our West Guelph and secondary school communities.
The Board will continue to solicit feedback on these options and alternative suggestions before bringing a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
Please note: Enrolment trends naturally evolve over time, and we strive to ensure that our planning and decisions are based on the most current and accurate information available. As we move through the school year, actual enrolment figures and related data naturally change, and we continuously review and update our information to reflect these shifts.
Review Process Timeline
Survey
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed valuable feedback during committee discussions and public presentation forums. Based on this input, we have developed a more focused survey for families to complete on the current Attendance Area and Grade Structure Review.
The purpose of this survey is to gather insights that will help shape our final report to the Board of Trustees, the
initial survey results are being summarized and will be included in the final
report as well. Your responses are critical in ensuring that we reflect the needs and perspectives of our community.
The survey will remain open until January 20, 2025 to provide ample time for everyone to share their feedback - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/attendance-area-survey-2
Thank you for your time and continued support. Your voice truly makes a difference.
Parent Information Sessions
During the open house, individuals had the opportunity to ask questions one on one and provide input directly to Staff Committee members.
Parent Information Session #1
📅 Date: November 26, 2024
🕖 Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm - drop in anytime, no formal presentation
📍 Location: St. Peter Catholic School Gymnasium
Parent Information Session #2
📅 Date: November 27, 2024
🕖 Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm - drop in anytime, no formal presentation
📍 Location: Our Lady of Lourdes CHS Cafeteria
Committee Meetings
We have held the following committee meetings for each attendance area review. The dates of those meetings have been determined as follows:
Secondary Attendance Area and Grade Structure Review - Committee Meeting #1
Presentation
Minutes
🗓️ Date: October 15, 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 pm
🏢 Location: Catholic Education Centre
📍 Address: 255 Speedvale Avenue West, Guelph, ON
Secondary Attendance Area and Grade Structure Review - Committee Meeting #2
Presentation
Agenda
🗓️ Date: October 23, 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 pm
🏢 Location: Catholic Education Centre
📍 Address: 255 Speedvale Avenue West, Guelph, ON
Central West Guelph - Committee Meeting #1
Presentation
Minutes
🗓️ Date: October 8, 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 pm
🏢 Location: Catholic Education Centre
📍 Address: 255 Speedvale Avenue West, Guelph, ON
Central West Guelph - Committee Meeting #2
Presentation
Minutes
🗓️ Date: October 22, 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 pm
🏢 Location: Catholic Education Centre
📍 Address: 255 Speedvale Avenue West, Guelph, ON
Central West Guelph - Committee Meeting #3
Presentation
Minutes
Agenda
🗓️ Date: November 5, 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 pm
🏢 Location: Catholic Education Centre
📍 Address: 255 Speedvale Avenue West, Guelph, ON
Parent Communication
Please see the following previously distributed letters pertaining to this process: