Register for School

More

Durham District School Board (DDSB) requires online registration for new students in our schools. If your child is transferring from one DDSB school to another, this is a returning student.

If a student leaves DDSB and goes to another school and then returns to a DDSB school, they are considered a new student. These students will need to complete the new student registration form.

DDSB schools follow the principles of a positive school climate and the code of conduct for everyone's safety.

Register a student for school

All students must be registered at their designated home school.  To discuss the options available to you if you are wanting to transfer to an ‘out of area’ (not your designated home school) school, please review the Permission to Enrol Procedure.  Once registered at the designated home school, please wait for the school to contact you to discuss your options.  School level staff will be the best persons to assist you with your child’s education. 

Select the type of student registration below and follow the steps for enrolment.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an optional play-based educational program where children learn personal and social development. The Kindergarten educator team consists of a Teacher and Early Childhood Educator (ECE), with an average class size of 26 students. Together they form a unique partnership that is built to nurture your child's learning through co-creation and intentional planning of purposeful play activities. The exact ratio of students to educators will vary in each class, as the number of students will vary slightly, depending on registration numbers for the school. If pre-registration exceeds class size limits in a school, children may be moved to a different school.

All Kindergarten students must register at their ‘designated home school’ for the Kindergarten program. Please use the school locator tool to identify your home school.

Register your child for Kindergarten 

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens January 7, 2025.

 Frequently Asked Questions

New student grades K-12 (not currently registered in a DDSB school)

To register a new student (not currently registered in a DDSB school), who is a Canadian citizen or has permanent residency, please follow the steps below:

  1. Use the school locator to find schools in your area boundaries;
  2. Complete the new student online registration; Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens in January 2025.
  3. Wait for the school to contact you for an appointment (you will need to provide supporting documents at this time);
  4. Go to the meeting with the required supporting documents and complete registration.

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens January 7, 2025.

Please note:  If you are wanting to register a student with the DDSB who does NOT have Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency, please visit this webpage for more information and to register an international student or a non-resident student.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Returning DDSB student (already attending a DDSB school and returning next school year)

Returning students (already attending a DDSB school and returning next school year) need to verify their registration information annually via the Parent Portal. We inform parents each summer that this needs to be done.

To verify a returning student in a DDSB school:

  1. Go to the Parent Portal;
  2. Login;
  3. Select the "returning student verification form" button;
  4. Complete the registration.

French Immersion

French Immersion starts at Grade 1 and Kindergarten is taught in English. If your child is interested in learning in our French Immersion (FI) program, you will be able to transfer from the DDSB Kindergarten program to the closest DDSB FI school in the spring prior to them entering Grade One.

The Kindergarten program at all single track French Immersion (FI) schools no longer offer the Kindergarten Program.  View a list French Immersion Dual Track & Single Track schools.

Child Care and Early Learning Programs

Many of our schools offer before and after school child care programs for students. Learn more about child care and early years programs.

Special needs

Learn about special needs registration and inclusive student services, including assessment through the Ministry of Education categories.

View the special needs transportation form for bus information.

International or Non-Resident student
International Students

Students who are not currently in Canada but will be using our acceptance as a means to obtaining their study permit.  These are fee paying students.

Non-Resident Students

Students who are in Canada currently under one of the following status’ (Work Permit, Study Permit, Refugee, Applied PR).

View this webpage for more information and to register an international student or a non-resident student in a DDSB school.

Summer school

You can register for summer school (elementary and secondary school) through the Durham Continuing Education website. Learn more about summer school programs via the Durham Continuing Education website.

Registration in another language

You can register in another language by using one of the translated language forms below:

To register with one of the forms above, print, complete and return the form to your child's school via email.

Registration documents and appointment

Once you have completed a registration online, the school will contact you for an appointment.

Please bring the following documents to your registration appointment:

All appointments
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship or residency status (birth certificate, passport, Permanent Residency card, Record of Landing or study permit)
  • Proof of residency in Durham (e.g., home purchase agreement, ownership title, lease or rental agreement, property tax assessment)
  • Immunization records
  • Application for direction of school support
  • Most recent report card (except for registration to junior Kindergarten)

Additional documents you may need
  • Proof of custody if child doesn't live with both parents
  • For children in foster care, a Children's Aid Society (CAS) worker must be present at the appointment
  • Court order (if applicable)
  • Copy of Individual Education Plan for students coming from another school board

Secondary school additional documents
  • Transcript of marks
  • Record of community service hours (if applicable)
  • Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test results (if applicable)

Buses and transportation

View bus and transportation information for all students.

Additional Resources

Please note that French Immersion starts at Grade 1 and Kindergarten is taught in English.