Schools & Education
Schools in Durham Region
This guide to schools in Durham Region explains how school catchments work and introduces the school boards that serve the region. School assignments are based on the home address, so families confirm their child's school through the board's official school finder.
By Keith Williams & Lisa C. Follows, Brokers, Willows Realty Group
Catchments
How school assignment works
In Ontario, students attend the school that serves their home address. Each board draws catchment boundaries that define which elementary and secondary school belongs to every address, so the same neighbourhood can feed different schools depending on where the house sits. Families confirm their assigned school through the board's official school finder before registering.
When you are house hunting, we are happy to check which schools serve the properties you are considering and point you to the right board so you can confirm the catchment yourself.
The Boards
Four school boards, one region
Two English boards serve most of Durham Region, and Clarington has its own set. Here is what each board covers.
Durham District School Board
The English public board serving Oshawa, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. It operates roughly 138 schools and learning centres with more than 80,000 students.
Visit the DDSB siteDurham Catholic District School Board
The English Catholic board serving Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock. It operates 38 elementary schools and 7 secondary schools with about 23,000 students.
Visit the DCDSB siteKawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
The English public board serving Clarington. It operates about 73 elementary schools and 13 secondary schools with around 35,000 students.
Visit the KPRDSB sitePVNCCDSB
The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board serves Catholic families in Clarington, including St. Stephen's Secondary School in Bowmanville and Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Courtice.
Visit the PVNCCDSB siteDeeper Dives
Board by board, community by community
Need the secondary schools in a specific community? These pages break down each board's schools by community.
Durham District School Board
Secondary schools by community, from Port Perry and Uxbridge to Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering and Ajax.
Read the guideDurham Catholic District School Board
The seven Catholic secondary schools across Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering, with their communities.
Read the guideClarington Schools
Public and Catholic secondary schools in Durham, Courtice, Newcastle and Orono, with the right board for each.
Read the guideLast updated: September 2026
Looking for the right school zone for your family?
We help families match homes to the schools they want. Get in touch and we will walk you through catchments, boards, and the communities that fit your list.
Or call us at 905-447-5842