Waterloo Catholic Board Delays French Immersion Program Move

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has decided to pause a controversial relocation of its French immersion program until at least 2027. This decision affects 141 students currently enrolled in the program at Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School, which had been slated to transfer to St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School in September 2026. The delay allows the board to conduct a boundary review in response to community concerns.

Originally announced during a board meeting in September, the proposed move aimed to address significant over-enrolment issues at Holy Rosary, which is operating at a capacity of 136 percent. The school currently relies on eight portables to accommodate students. With growth expected in its English stream, projections indicated that Holy Rosary could require up to 12 portables, compounding issues related to limited outdoor space and parking. St. Nicholas, located approximately six kilometers away, is also over capacity at 106 percent but has room for additional portables.

In an official statement, board director Annalisa Varano emphasized the board’s commitment to community input, acknowledging the stress the situation has caused for families. “This decision reflects WCDSB’s commitment to listening to our community. We have heard all concerns and believe every voice matters in shaping the future of our schools,” Varano stated.

The reaction from parents has been swift. Lisa Russell, a mother of three, expressed frustration over the lack of prior consultation regarding the move. Russell learned about the potential changes through a community group and subsequently attended the September board meeting. “There was no consultation that happened ahead of time… this was just put forth as an operational decision to address overcapacity,” she noted.

At the following board meeting, multiple parents highlighted concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process. Christine Barbeau articulated broader issues, stating, “This is about more than French immersion. It’s about how decisions are made in our board: transparency, accountability, and public trust.” According to Ontario’s Education Act, school boards are required to govern in ways that promote student achievement and maintain public confidence.

Russell further raised suspicions regarding the board’s intentions, suggesting that the relocation might be a strategy to create overcrowding at St. Nicholas to facilitate funding for a new school in the Beaver Creek Meadows area. In response, the Catholic board denied any connection between the relocation and the new school proposal. Spokesperson Lema Salaymeh reinforced that staff recommendations are driven by data and the need for safe learning environments.

Despite the initial decision, the board has taken steps to engage with the community. A recent survey and town hall meeting aimed to gather input before the board decided to pursue a boundary review. Salaymeh announced that a staff report will be presented in the coming months, recommending the initiation of a boundary review that includes Holy Rosary and surrounding schools. The review will focus on long-term enrolment, space usage, and the support of programs across the region.

For parents like Russell, the prospect of a boundary review offers some hope for a more transparent process. “Essentially, this was the work that needed to be done in the first place if they followed their policy to find a solution to the overcapacity at Holy Rosary,” she remarked. She criticized the proposed move as a temporary fix that lacked foundational support from the board’s own data.

The broader context reveals significant enrolment challenges for the Catholic board, which has experienced a growth rate of 15 percent between 2022 and 2025. Projections indicate that by the 2032-33 academic year, elementary enrolment could reach 29,294 students, marking an increase of 56 percent from the current school year. Secondary enrolment is expected to grow even more dramatically, rising to 12,479 students, which equates to a 59 percent increase.

Russell expressed concern regarding the implications of such rapid growth. “We understand the Catholic board is seeing record enrolment, but at what point does that go from something to celebrate to something to be concerned about?” she questioned.

The pause in the relocation of the French immersion program marks a critical moment for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board as it seeks to address pressing enrolment issues while responding to community needs. The outcome of the upcoming boundary review may well shape the future of the French immersion program and broader school accommodations in the region.