Approved Boundary Changes for St. André Bessette Catholic School

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- Dec 17, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,


We are pleased to inform you that the revised boundaries for the new Seaton #1 Catholic Elementary School and changes to select school boundaries in Ajax and Pickering were approved by the Durham Catholic District School Board of Trustees at the December 15, 2025, Regular Board Meeting. These changes were developed through a comprehensive review process and reflect feedback gathered from families during the consultation period.

We sincerely thank you for your participation and input throughout this process. Your engagement was invaluable in helping us make decisions that best support our students and community.

Boundaries, Maps and Implementation

There are three approved recommendations 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). 

 St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School Implementatio

  • A boundary change is being implemented to maintain a balanced school population and programming at all three Ajax schools (St. Catherine of Siena, St. André Bessette and St. Jude) that were part of the study.
  • The boundary change will come into effect in September 2027 (anticipated), when the new Seaton #1 Catholic School opens.
  • 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 Catholic School is open (by September 2027, or potentially at an optimal time during the 2026-2027 school year - i.e. following Christmas Break or March Break, etc.).
  • Any new student moving into the new St. André Bessette boundary after January of 2027, will be directed to the Catholic school associated with the new boundary.
  • In September 2027 (anticipated), St. André Bessette Catholic School will include study areas that are currently part of the St. Catherine of Siena boundary.
  • Students in the impacted study areas attending St. Catherine of Siena will be redirected to St. André Bessette in September 2027.
  • For students who are within the Seaton #1 Catholic School boundary, the secondary school is St. Mary Catholic Secondary School.
  • For students who are within the St. André Bessette Catholic School boundary, the secondary school is Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.
  • Transportation will continue to follow the Board’s Transportation Policy (PO429).  

View the proposed boundary map on our website.

Looking ahead, we are excited to share that further information and opportunities for engagement regarding the naming of the new school will be provided to families in early 2026. We look forward to continuing this collaborative process.

For ongoing updates, please visit our Seaton #1 and Changes to Ajax and Pickering Schools Study webpage at dcdsb.ca/SeatonBoundaryReview.

Sincerely,

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