Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School gives local students and teachers the modern learning space they need to succeed
KITCHENER – The Ontario government is delivering on its plan to protect Ontario by opening the new Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School for the 2026-27 school year. The project is one of 35 new and expanded schools opening across Ontario this fall to give students the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers. The government is investing $30 billion over its 10-year plan to build, expand and renew schools across Ontario.
Today, Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South—Hespeler, announced that the province provided Waterloo Catholic District School Board with $78 million to build the new school in Kitchener. This project delivers 1400 secondary spaces for local families for the 2026-27 school year.
“This new Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School is a significant investment in students and families in Kitchener,” said MPP Dixon. “We’re making sure students have modern, high-quality learning environments, and I’m excited to see this new school welcome students this fall.”
For the 2026-27 school year, Ontario is providing record education funding of $30.6 billion while making changes to strengthen student achievement and deliver more consistent learning experiences across the province. Students and teachers will return to updated curriculum, new classroom resources and stronger supports, including new tools to support financial literacy and math, direct funding for elementary homeroom teachers to purchase classroom supplies, and clearer expectations around attendance and assessment.
“As students head back to school, our focus is on giving every student the opportunity to succeed,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “That means giving teachers the tools and resources they need, investing in modern schools, and making sure every dollar we invest in education is driving stronger student achievement.”
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School is located at 20 Woolner Trail in Kitchener.
“Opening our school board’s first Grade 7 to 12 facility is a proud moment for all of us, ” said Annalisa Varano, Director of Education and Chief Executive Officer of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. “This unique, state-of-the-art build was intentionally designed to serve our rapidly growing community, and we are excited to welcome our inaugural Grade 7 to 10 students this year.”
“We extend our sincere thanks to the province for their generous capital contribution and partnership in bringing a world-class educational space to our families,” continues Annalisa. “This new school is a living expression of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan, Learn, Serve, Belong, with Faith at the centre. Notre Dame will be a place where students learn deeply, serve their community generously, and belong to a Catholic family that walks with them from Grade 7 through graduation. I also want to recognize our Notre Dame principal and vice-principal, our staff, and our entire capital and facilities team, whose tireless work made it possible to open this school on time. Their dedication reflects the very best of our Catholic community, and we are grateful for all they have done to welcome our students home.”
Quick Facts
- The Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, brings greater accountability, consistency and modernization to Ontario’s education system through new and enhanced measures to further support student success. It also provides the Ministry of Education with stronger tools to intervene in the capital planning process when boards are unable to deliver projects in the best interests of students and educators.
- The government is investing $1.3 billion annually to support new school buildings, school expansions and renovations across the province in each of the past three years, the highest level of school capital funding in Ontario’s history.
- Since 2018, Ontario has invested more than $7.6 billion for major capital projects, including 209 new schools, 161 permanent additions or renovations to existing school buildings and created more than 150,000 new student spaces and more than 11,000 new licensed child care spaces.