Updated: April 10, 2026

Thank you very much for your feedback on the contingency plans we shared in December. Staff have reviewed all the feedback and we have refined our plans accordingly.

We are writing to confirm that the new soon-to-be-named Bowmanville Catholic Elementary School (Northglen) will not be ready to open for September 1, 2026. A new school presents an exciting opportunity to build community and we want to be ready to move into Northglen as soon as possible. To that end, the Board will be moving forward with a “School in a School” approach for Northglen next school year.

What will “School in a School” look like?

The organization and staffing of Northglen will proceed as if we were opening it in September and these staff and students will be at St. Elizabeth CES in a "Northglen Wing". Opening and closing bell times and bus schedules will remain the same, but St. Elizabeth CES and Northglen will operate on separate schedules to accommodate sharing of the school’s shared resources (e.g. playground, gymnasium, library).

Students at St. Elizabeth CES who are in the Northglen catchment will be placed in Northglen classrooms and with Northglen staff for 2026-2027. These classes will remain at St. Elizabeth CES until Northglen is ready to open.

We understand that some Holy Family CES and St. Francis of Assisi CES families will have existing childcare arrangements, either in the Northglen community or at their current school. These students will have multiple entry points they may choose based on their situation. They may “hold” at their current school until Northglen opens or they may switch to St. Elizabeth CES and “hold” there at the Northglen “School in a School”. If families would prefer to change their holding school for the 2026/2027 school year to St. Elizabeth CES they must make arrangements with the office staff of their current school as soon as possible.

The St. Elizabeth CES Grade 8 students (current Grade 7's) will be at the St. Elizabeth CES (Longworth Campus) for September and the "Annex" will be turned back to St. Stephen CSS.

We are pleased to announce that Jill Barker, currently the Principal at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Cobourg, has been appointed as the inaugural Principal of Northglen Catholic Elementary School. Office staff for Northglen will have offices at St. Elizabeth CES and administration of the Northglen school will begin August 24th, 2026.

Transportation arrangements for students at their holding schools will remain unchanged for September. Once students move to Northglen, Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) will assess eligibility distances and add students who become eligible. Students who become ineligible will continue to be offered transportation on an exception (or temporary) basis for the balance of the 2026-2027 school year.

We will share updated timeline information regarding the opening of Northglen as it becomes available. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding.

Note: for the current Northglen Naming Consultation Project, please go to https://engagepvnc.ca/northglen-clarington-school-...

The state-of-the-art facility at Northglen Blvd. and Middle Rd., will accommodate up to 493 students and include a three-room childcare centre to serve infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in our growing community.

Quick Facts:

• The school will house students from kindergarten to Grade 8.
• The 43,237-square-foot building will include four kindergarten classrooms, 16 regular classrooms, a special education room, a resource room, and regular school facilities such as a gymnasium and learning commons.
• The school will be a feeder school to St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School in Bowmanville.
• Parkspace adjacent to the site will provide a natural extension for outdoor activities and learning.