Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision, and understanding school boundaries and transfer policies in the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) can help parents make informed choices. Whether you’re enrolling your child for the first time, moving to a new neighborhood, or considering a school transfer, this guide covers everything you need to know about:
✔ How school boundaries are determined
✔ How to find your designated school
✔ How to apply for a school transfer (Form TCH19)
✔ What factors affect transfer approvals
✔ Transportation eligibility and limitations for transfer students
✔ Special exceptions and considerations
📌 What Are School Boundaries in YCDSB?
Each school in YCDSB has a designated boundary that determines which students are eligible to attend based on their home address. School boundaries are set to:
✔ Ensure balanced enrollment across schools
✔ Allow students to attend schools close to home
✔ Distribute resources and staff efficiently
📌 Your child’s home address determines which Catholic elementary or secondary school they are eligible to attend.
📍 How to Find Your Designated YCDSB School
YCDSB provides an online School Locator Tool that allows parents to check which Catholic elementary and secondary school their child is eligible to attend based on their home address.
🖥 How to Use the YCDSB School Locator Tool:
1️⃣ Visit the YCDSB School Locator Tool on the YCDSB website.
2️⃣ Enter your home address in the search field.
3️⃣ The system will display the designated Catholic elementary and secondary schools for your area.
4️⃣ If you are interested in French Immersion, check if your designated school offers the program.
📌 Each school has a defined boundary, and students must register at their designated school unless they apply for a transfer.
🔄 How to Request a School Transfer in YCDSB (Form TCH19)
In some cases, parents may want their child to attend a YCDSB school outside their designated boundary. This requires submitting a Student Transfer Request (Form TCH19) and getting approval from the school board.
✅ Common Reasons for School Transfers:
✔ Sibling Attendance: If an older sibling is already attending a different YCDSB school.
✔ Childcare Needs: If a family’s childcare provider is closer to a different school.
✔ French Immersion Program: If the designated Catholic school does not offer French Immersion, students must transfer to a French Immersion school.
✔ Special Programs: Some students request transfers to schools that offer special programs (e.g., gifted programs, extended French).
✔ Medical or Social Needs: If a student has a medical condition or social/emotional needs requiring a school transfer.
📝 How to Apply for a YCDSB School Transfer (Using Form TCH19):
✔ Step 1: Contact your current (home) school principal to discuss the transfer request.
✔ Step 2: Fill out Form TCH19 – Student Transfer Request, available from the school office or the YCDSB website.
✔ Step 3: Submit the completed Form TCH19 to your home school, not the receiving school.
✔ Step 4: The home school principal and superintendent review the request and determine approval.
✔ Step 5: If approved, the student is transferred to the new school. If denied, the student remains at their designated school.
📌 Approval is not guaranteed and depends on factors like class size, school capacity, and program availability.
🚌 Transportation Eligibility & Limitations for Transfer Students
1️⃣ Students Attending Their Designated School:
✔ Students who live beyond the designated walking distance may be eligible for school bus transportation.
✔ School transportation services follow the York Region Transit School Bus Policy based on the student’s home address and school location.
2️⃣ Transfer Students (Out-of-Boundary Placements):
✔ Students who transfer outside their designated school boundary are NOT eligible for school bus transportation.
✔ Parents must arrange their own transportation if their child is attending a school outside their designated area.
📌 If transportation is a concern, parents should consider the distance and feasibility of daily travel before requesting a transfer.
🚸 What If You Move to a New Address?
If your family moves to a new home within York Region, you may need to transfer your child to a new YCDSB schoolbased on your new address.
✔ Step 1: Check your new designated school using the School Locator Tool.
✔ Step 2: Notify your current school and provide proof of new residence.
✔ Step 3: Register your child at the new school and request records to be transferred.
✔ Step 4: If you want to remain at your old school, submit Form TCH19 for a transfer request (approval is not guaranteed).
📌 Moving outside of York Region? You may need to transfer to another Catholic school board.
🏫 Boundary Changes & School Capacity
YCDSB occasionally reviews and adjusts school boundaries to:
✔ Address overcrowding or under-enrollment in schools
✔ Ensure new residential areas have designated schools
✔ Balance staffing and resources
What Happens If School Boundaries Change?
✔ Students already attending a school may be allowed to stay (grandfathering rule).
✔ New students must register at the new designated school.
✔ Parents will receive advance notice of any boundary changes.
📌 If a boundary change affects your child, you may apply for a transfer request (Form TCH19) to stay at the current school.
📢 Final Thoughts: Understanding YCDSB School Boundaries & Transfers
✔ Each YCDSB school has a designated boundary, and students must attend their home school unless a transfer is approved using Form TCH19.
✔ Parents can use the YCDSB School Locator Tool to find their child’s designated school.
✔ Transfers may be granted for reasons like sibling attendance, childcare needs, or program availability, but approval depends on space and other factors.
✔ French Immersion, high school programs, and special education needs may require school transfers to specific locations.
✔ Transportation is only available for students attending their designated school. Transfer students are responsible for their own transportation.
✔ If moving to a new address, parents must update the school board and transfer their child to the new designated school unless a transfer request is approved.
💬 Do you have questions about school boundaries or transfers in YCDSB? Leave a comment below!
Yan Zhou on Catholic Education & Advocacy 
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