No. The current growth-boundary and overflow measures do not displace students already enrolled at the affected schools. The measures currently in place apply to new registrations received after June 30, 2026. Every effort has been made to keep siblings together.
Enrolment Update: Growth Boundaries and Overflow Placements in Whitby and Pickering
Rapid residential development and continued student registrations are creating enrolment pressures in growing areas of Whitby and Pickering. The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is using growth boundaries, overflow placements and additional portables to manage these pressures, make effective use of available space and maintain safe and effective learning environments.
What families need to know
Students already enrolled at Whitby Meadows Public School and Josiah Henson Public School will remain at their current schools. The growth-boundary and overflow measures currently in place apply to new registrations received after June 30, 2026. Every effort has also been made to keep siblings together.
Families whose school placement is affected will receive information directly from the DDSB.
Growth boundaries at Whitby Meadows PS and Josiah Henson PS
Growth boundaries have been established at Whitby Meadows PS and Josiah Henson PS. A growth boundary directs new registrations from an identified neighbourhood to a nearby partner school with available space.
Under the growth boundaries:
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Students registered after June 30, 2026, within the identified Whitby Meadows PS Growth Boundary Area will attend Robert Munsch Public School. Thirteen portables have also been added at Whitby Meadows PS to accommodate enrolment growth.
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Students registered after June 30, 2026, within the identified Josiah Henson PS Growth Boundary Area will attend Highbush Public School. Josiah Henson PS is beginning the school year with 14 portables.
Overflow placements
As additional registrations continued to be received, the DDSB also initiated an overflow process for new students who cannot be accommodated at their designated school.
New registrations within the Whitby Meadows PS boundary are currently being directed to E.A. Fairman Public School. New registrations within the Josiah Henson PS boundary are currently being directed to Highbush Public School.
Overflow placements do not involve moving students already enrolled at Whitby Meadows PS or Josiah Henson PS.
Staff continue to monitor registrations and available space across surrounding schools. As additional registrations are received, it may be necessary to identify further overflow schools based on transportation, class sizes, school capacity, staffing and the ability to maintain safe and effective learning environments. Affected families and receiving school communities will be contacted directly as decisions are made.
Growth Boundary and Overflow FAQ
Will students currently attending an affected school be required to move?
Why are growth boundaries and overflow designations needed when new schools have recently opened?
New schools create additional student spaces, but enrolment in rapidly developing communities can continue to increase quickly after a school opens.
Growth boundaries, overflow placements and portables help balance enrolment across nearby schools and make effective use of available space as the community continues to grow.
A growth boundary is a defined geographic area, often within a new residential development, that is temporarily assigned to a nearby partner school with available space until a new school is funded, constructed and opened. It is an enrolment-planning tool used to prevent overcrowding while longer-term school capacity is developed.
What is an overflow designation?
An overflow designation is used when a student’s designated school does not have sufficient space in a class for additional students. New registrants are then assigned to another nearby school with available capacity. Space permitting, students return to their home school the following September.
Why are portables needed if new schools have recently opened?
Portables provide additional classroom space and allow more students to attend school within or near their community. They are used to manage enrolment growth in expanding communities while requests for new schools proceed through the provincial approval, planning, design and construction process.
Why can’t the Board build another school immediately?
New schools require Ministry of Education approval and capital funding. School boards submit business cases through the provincial Capital Priorities process based on factors including current school utilization, projected enrolment and anticipated residential growth. Once a project is approved, planning, design and construction require additional time.
Will growth-boundary or overflow placements affect students’ program options?
Growth-boundary and overflow decisions are intended to support strong and stable programs across schools. Balancing enrolment helps schools maintain effective learning programs, extracurricular opportunities and specialized supports.
Why do growth boundaries and overflow placements continue to be needed in these communities?
Whitby and Pickering include some of the fastest-growing communities in Durham Region. As new homes continue to be built and occupied, student enrolment will also increase. The Board regularly monitors enrolment and adjusts accommodation plans to prevent overcrowding and ensure schools continue to operate safely and effectively.
How does the Board consider the impact on families?
The Board recognizes that school placement changes affect families’ routines and school connections. When determining growth boundaries and overflow placements, staff consider student well-being, transportation, school capacity, path of travel and the need to maintain stable and effective learning environments. The goal is to manage growth responsibly while minimizing disruption for students and families wherever possible.