News Stories

Dear HWDSB Community,

Happy New Year! I often say this twice each year—once in September and again in January—because in education we’re fortunate to experience these two moments of renewal. The start of a new school year and the start of a new calendar year both offer us opportunities to celebrate new beginnings. 

HWDSB websites are often the first place families, students, and community go to find information, access tools, and stay connected to what’s happening in our schools and across the Board.

We are currently reviewing and refreshing both Board and school websites to make sure they are clear, easy to navigate, and accessible for everyone. As part of this work, we are inviting feedback from our community to help guide the next phase of website planning.

Why We’re Engaging

Dear HWDSB Community,

It is with deep empathy and care that I share the news of the passing of former HWDSB Trustee Judith Bishop. In recognition of her many years of dedicated service to public education and to the City of Hamilton, flags at all HWDSB buildings will be flown at half-mast until the end of day Monday, December 8, 2025.

Student voice plays an essential role in shaping strong, inclusive, and responsive schools. Each year, Student Trustee Elections provide secondary students with an opportunity to take part in leadership that helps inform decision-making at the board level.

Dear HWDSB Community,

I am pleased to share that the 2024-2025 Director’s Annual Report is now available online. This report highlights the collective work and accomplishments across HWDSB over the past school year. 

Last Monday, I was thrilled to present the full Director’s Annual Report at the Board Meeting, and you can view the recording here.

Dear HWDSB Families and Community Members,

We are pleased to share some very encouraging news—our 2024–2025 EQAO results show continued gains across multiple grades. These improvements reflect the dedication of our staff and the resilience and hard work of our students, as well as the support of families and caregivers across Hamilton.

Hamilton, ON — The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is pleased to share strong results from the 2024–2025 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments.

In celebration of Human Rights Day 2025, the HWDSB Human Rights Office (HRO) is hosting two virtual information sessions for students and parents/guardians in HWDSB.

The sessions will provide an opportunity to familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities in schools. You will learn about:

At HWDSB, we value the rich diversity of faiths and traditions observed within the communities we proudly serve. 

Starting December 1, HWDSB will introduce a new approach to sharing Holy Days on our official social media accounts.

We are committed to honouring Holy Days in meaningful ways across our schools, learning and workspaces.  

What is changing:

Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) will be enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act (1990) during the 2025-2026 school year. This Ontario law requires all students under 18 to have an up-to-date immunization record or a valid exemption on file with their local public health unit. The goal is to protect community health and prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in schools.

What Families Need to Know: