Schools and Enrichment

Choosing a school for your children & registration requirements

Ontario's school system is explained in the Newcomer's Guide to Education in Ontario.

  • Parents who arrive in Canada on a work permit: Ensure that your children are listed as dependents on the work permit of the parent who has legal guardianship. If you cannot provide this documentation you may be assessed international school fees when you enroll your children.

  • Registering your children at school: Before the first day of school, your child must be registered with the correct documentation (proof of immigration status, birth certificate or passport, proof of address and immunization records). For specific registration information please contact the school board of your choice, or check their web sites for registration information.

  • School visits and information about enrichment activities: Call ahead to arrange a visit to a prospective school to see if the school's community and programs are a good fit. If your children enjoy sports or music, ask what the school offers. Kingston also offers a wealth of enrichment programs run by community based organizations.

  • Home Schooling: There are many resources available for teaching your children at home.

  • Special Education: Kingston's school system has a variety of resources for children who need support due to physical, emotional, intellectual or other special needs.

  • After School Care: If your children will need after school care, consider this when you choose a school. Many, but not all, Kingston schools offer a program.

  • Provincial Testing Results: Listed for each school on the web site of the Education Quality and Accountability Office. To use this tool, you will need the name of the school you are interested in. Standardized testing takes place annually in grades 3 and 6 (elementary schools) and grade 9 (high schools). Private schools are not subject to Provincial testing.

  • School Boundaries: Public school boards assign each address to a home school district, and students living in the home school district have priority. School boards have slightly different policies on allowing students from outside the home school district to attend.

  • School Locator: Determine which addresses are served by each school in the Limestone School Board with the School Locator tool.

  • French Immersion: Both the Limestone District School Board and the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board offer French Immersion programs in designated schools. Your child will generally be admitted to a program in the school designated for French Immersion for your residential area upon your request. It is helpful, but not mandatory, to register early (registration usually occurs in February for the following September). Contact the school board of your choice for registration information.

Schools in Kingston

Area Elementary Schools Secondary Schools
West R.G. Sinclair, James R. Henderson, Lancaster Drive Frontenac Secondary (French Immersion Grade 7/8 at Module d'Acadie)
Central Winston Churchill, Rideau Public

Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute (LCVI) (LEAP - Limestone Education through the Arts Program - Gr 9+)

Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute (KCVI) (IB Program, French Immersion Grade 7/8 at Module Vanier)

There are four Public School Boards serving the Kingston District (two English and two French boards):

  • Limestone District School Board

    The Limestone District School Board is the area's publicly funded non-denominational school board. The LDSB website provides information on overall board policies, programs, and individual schools. The site is divided into "Elementary" (Kindergarten to Gr. 8) and "Secondary" (Gr. 9-12). Many schools also have their own websites, which can be accessed from the board's home page. The Secondary Schools provide Profile pages that offer an interesting inside perspective on the school life.

    If you have specific questions regarding you child's education, contact the board office 613-544-6920 and ask for the consultant for elementary or secondary schools.

    The Limestone Board has an "Open Boundaries" policy. You may enroll your child in the school of your choice, regardless of where you live. However, if you are not a resident of the school's catchment district, your child may be placed on a waiting list for admission. Busing for out of district students may not be available. If you are considering purchasing a house based on the school district, be sure to contact the board office at 613-544-6920 or 1-800-267-0935, or inq@limestone.on.ca.

  • Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board

    The ALCDS Board provides publicly funded Catholic education in the Greater Kingston area. Their website provides detailed information on board policies, programs and services. For information on elementary and secondary school programs click on the "our schools" tab. A complete list of all elementary schools and their addresses/contact information can also be found there. For further information contact Christine Martin at 613-354-6257 ext. 448, or toll free (in Ontario) at 1-800-581-1116.

    The ALCDS Board operates from the principle that children will attend the school within their residential district. Exceptions can sometimes be made at the discretion of the school principal when there are considerations such as babysitting arrangements; however, decisions are dependent on home district enrollment numbers. To find out the district school for a residential address, contact the board and ask to speak to the transportation office.

  • Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario

    This is the public French language school board serving Eastern Ontario, including the Kingston area. Language of instruction is French. The board's website provides information on area schools and board policies.

    This board has two schools in Kingston:

    Lucie Boileau, Communications Officer, can be emailed, or called at (613) 742-8960

  • Conseil des écoles catholiques du centre-est

    This is the French language, publicly funded Catholic school board that serves Eastern Ontario. For information, visit their website or call 1-888-230-5131.

    This board has two schools in Kingston:

    • École Élémentaire Mgr-Rémi-Gaulin (kindergarten to grade 6)
    • École secondaire catholique Marie-Rivier (grades 7 to 12)

Private schools in Ontario operate independently of the Ministry of Education of Ontario. The Ministry provides guidance for parents choosing a private school on its web site.

Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement nor does absence reflect on the contribution an organization makes to the educational community.

Enrichment Activities

There are many choices in Kingston. Some public schools have arrangements with private music teachers - ask at your child's school. You can also sign up with the Kingston School of Music (downtown) or the Cataraqui School of Music (west end) for private music lessons.

The award-winning Cantabile Choirs of Kingston provide an auditioned choral program for children 8-18. The Kingston Youth Orchestra offers an auditioned orchestra program for ages 4 -26. These are only two examples of many programs available in the community.

The large variety of summer camps (overnight as well as day camps) in the Kingston area are advertised in the City of Kingston's Leisure Magazine which arrives in mid-March. A public library near you will have copies, or contact the Faculty Recruitment and Support office.

Most elementary schools in Kingston provide after-school care. Enquire at your child's school.