DCDSB: Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

We would like to share important information regarding upcoming boundary reviews connected to the new Seaton #1 Catholic Elementary School in Pickering. These changes affect select schools in Pickering and Ajax. In this letter, you will find background details, an overview of the proposed boundary revisions, and information about upcoming public meetings and ways for families to provide feedback.

To support families throughout this process, we’ve created a dedicated Seaton #1 and Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study webpage. This page will be updated regularly with the latest information. Please visit dcdsb.ca/SeatonBoundaryReview to learn more. 

Proposed Boundaries, Maps and Implementation Considerations

There are three recommendations that are being considered in this boundary study as a result of the new Seaton #1 Catholic School construction. These include the adjustment of Seaton #1 Catholic School Boundary (recommendation #1), a boundary adjustment to St. André Bessette Catholic School, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, and St. Jude Catholic School (recommendation #2), and a boundary adjustment to Notre Dame and Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic Secondary Schools to align with the proposed changes in recommendations #1 and #2 (recommendation #3). Information on these recommendations can be found below. 

St. André Bessette Catholic School: What Families Need to Know

• Students who reside within the Seaton #1 Catholic School boundary and are currently attending St. André Bessette will remain at the school until the new Seaton #1 is open.
• Students residing within the Seaton #1 Catholic School boundary may move to the new school when it opens at an optimal time during the 2026-2027 school year (i.e. following Christmas Break or March Break, etc.).
• The St. André Bessette Catholic School boundary is proposed to change to include study areas that are currently part of the St. Catherine of Siena boundary in September 2027 (anticipated). In the proposed boundary, students in the impacted study areas attending St. Catherine of Siena would be redirected to St. André Bessette.
• This boundary change is being proposed to maintain a balanced school population and programming at all three Ajax schools (St. Catherine of Siena, St. André Bessette and St. Jude) that are part of this review.
• For students who are within the St. André Bessette Catholic School boundary, the secondary school is Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.
• For students who are within the Seaton #1 Catholic School boundary, the secondary school is St. Mary Catholic Secondary School.
• Transportation will continue to follow the Board’s Transportation Policy (PO429). 

View the proposed boundary map on our website.

Public Consultation and Next Steps

Through a series of public meetings, the board will compile considerations and recommendations to bring to the DCDSB Regular Board Meeting in December 2025.

The Durham Catholic District School Board is committed to an open and transparent process that allows for public input through a variety of means. Public meetings have been scheduled on the dates below to present the options under consideration and to offer our parents and guardians the opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

The dates and locations for these meetings are as follows:

If you require accessible accommodations to participate in any of the public meetings, please contact Facilities Services at 905-576-6150 ext. 22353 in advance of the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 

Following these community meetings, staff will present the final boundary recommendations and address any implementation issues at the December 2025 Regular Board Meeting for final approval by the Board of Trustees. 

Provide Feedback on the Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study

If you have questions or comments regarding the Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study, we welcome feedback from our Durham Catholic learning community by:

• Attending one of the above public meetings
• Completing our Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study feedback form
• Contacting us via phone at: 905-576-6150 ext. 42252
• Emailing us at: planning@dcdsb.ca

Updates will continue to be provided to families via SchoolMessenger and on the Seaton #1 and Boundary Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools webpage.

Sincerely, 

Katharine Stevenson                             Scott Grieve
Superintendent of Education              Superintendent of Business, Finance & Facilities