Peel District School Board Explained

Peel District School Board
Image Alt:	Peel District School Board headquarters
Country:	Canada
Location:	5650 Hurontario St Mississauga, Ontario, L5R 1C6^[1]
Chair Of The Board:	Brad MacDonald
Director Of Education:	Rashmi Swarup^[2]
Superintendent Type:	Superintendents^[3]
Superintendent:	13 + 4 associate directors^[4]
Free Label1:	Elected trustees
Free Text1:	12^[5]
Free Label2:	Student trustees
Free Text2:	Deepanwita Sen, Selena Zhou^[6]
Schools:	259 schools (2021-22)^[7]
Budget:	~CA $1.98 billion (2021-2022)^[8]
District Id:	B66125
Students:	153,000+ students (2021-22)^[9]
Staff:	16,964 (2021-22)^[10]

The Peel District School Board (PDSB; known as English-Language Public District School Board No. 19 prior to 1999^{[11] [12]}) is a school district that serves approximately 153,000 kindergarten to grade 12 students at more than 259 schools in the Region of Peel (municipalities of Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga) in Ontario, also to the west of Toronto.^[13]

The board employs more than 15,000 full-time staff and is the largest employer in Peel Region.^[14] As of 2023 it is the second largest school board in Canada.^{[15] [16]}

History

In 1970, 10 local boards came together as the Peel County Board of Education. In 1969, the board served a community of a quarter million residents—20 percent of the population. The newly formed Peel County Board had 50,000 students in 114 schools and an operating budget of $41 million. (2009 annual report)

In 1973, the name changed to the "Peel Board of Education," before being changed the "Peel District School Board" in 1998.

On September 1, 2006, the school board announced that on Wednesday September 6, 2006, would launch a new website in 25 languages, all spoken in the Peel Region, to help parents who have a first language other than English.^[17]

Directors

• John Fraser, –1988, namesake of John Fraser Secondary School
• Bob Lee, 1988–c. 1993, namesake of Robert J. Lee Public School
• Harold Brathwaite, 1994–2002, namesake of Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School
• Jim Grieve, 2002–2009, namesake of James Grieve Public School
• Tony Pontes, 2010–2017, namesake of Tony Pontes Public School
• Peter Joshua, 2017–2020^{[18] [19]}
• Colleen Russell-Rawlins, 2020-2021 (interim)^[20]
• Rashmi Swarup, 2021-present^[21]

Peel board logo

The Peel board unveiled its current logo in September 2006. In November 2004, the board approved the creation of the Picture the Future committee—a cross section of staff and trustees—to oversee the creation of the first new logo since 1969. The committee worked with design firm Hambly and Woolly Inc, selected through a competitive RFP process, to develop a new visual identity for approval by the board. The design was based on the feedback from over 500 people including staff, students, parents, representatives of faith and culture communities and unions and federations.^[22]

Demographics and cultural sensitivity

Among Canadian school districts, the Peel board is among the most ethnically and culturally diverse. The Peel District School Board enacted procedures and policies intended to accept and embrace various cultures and ethnic groups, and Brian Woodland, the school board's director of communications, said that the district embraces various religions.^[23] The school board alters curricula to accommodate students of different backgrounds; for instance, if students from a religious background or culture are forbidden from drawing people, the school will alter the art curriculum. Peel was among the first Canadian school boards to permit students to wear kirpans to classes. The school board does not allow religious leaders to lead prayer sessions within schools.^[23]

Programs

Adult and continuing education

The Peel board offers a variety of adult programs during the day, at night and on weekends.^[24] Programs include credit programs to help adults complete their secondary school diploma, adult ESL programs to help adults develop and refine their English language skills, and literacy and basic skills courses to help adults upgrade specific skills.

The board received media attention in 2011 for its Foreign-Trained Teacher course, a course designed to help new Canadians enter the teacher profession.^[25]

The Peel board also offers International Language Programs^[26] on weekends for school-aged students. At the secondary level, students can earn credits towards their secondary school diploma. Students also have access to night and summer school, literacy and math support, and online school.^[27]

French immersion

French immersion begins in grade 1 and extended French begins in grade 7. Registration for both programs takes place in January. The Peel board provides on-line information for parents on how to decide whether French immersion is right for their child and other information about French learning.

Regional Enhanced Program

The Peel District School Board runs the ELC Regional Enhanced Program, in grades 1 to 12, a gifted education program, for students defined as having "an unusually advanced degree of general intellectual ability that requires differentiated learning experiences of a depth and breadth beyond those normally provided in the regular school programme to satisfy the level of educational potential indicated."^[28]

The curriculum of an Enhanced program could include special tasks or projects designed to challenge gifted students. At the high school level, the course material is the same but the manner of teaching and/or the assignments given can vary based on the needs of the students.

There are two high schools designated as Peel Regional Enhanced Centres that provide the Enhanced programming and curriculum from Grade 9 to Grade 12.^[29] The precise number and variety of Enhanced courses differs from school to school, but most schools offer the core mandatory courses as Enhanced. Bussing and transportation for Enhanced students is provided by the school board.

School	Area Served
The Woodlands School	North, central, and west Mississauga
Heart Lake Secondary School	Central Caledon Brampton, Bramalea, and northeast Mississsauga (Malton).

Secondary school rankings

The Peel District School Board does not officially support the Fraser ranking system and does not rank its schools. The most up-to-date Fraser rankings can be found on the Fraser website.

Organization of the school system within the Board

The Board organizes its schools into "school families", which essentially designate the respective feeder schools into each of the secondary schools within the PDSB. The following list is the organization from the 2018-2019 school year.^[30]

Caledon

School family	Secondary school (9-12)	Intermediate (Middle) School (6/7-8)	Elementary school (K-5/6)	K-8 school (K-8)
Humberview^[31]		Allan Drive Middle School	Ellwood Memorial Public School James Bolton Public School	Caledon East Public School Macville Public School Palgrave Public School
Mayfield^[32]			Alton Public School Belfountain Public School	Alloa Public School Caledon Central Public School Herb Campbell Public School James Grieve Public School Southfields Village Public School Tony Pontes Public School

Brampton

School family	Secondary school (9-12)	Intermediate (Middle) School (6/7-8)	Elementary school (K-5/6)	K-8 school (K-8)
Bramalea^[33]	Bramalea Secondary School	Balmoral Drive Senior Public School Earnscliffe Sr. Public School	Aloma Crescent Public School Birchbank Public School Clark Boulevard Public School Dorset Drive Public School Eastbourne Drive Public School Fallingdale Public School Folkstone Public School
Brampton Centennial^[34]	Brampton Centennial Secondary School	Centennial Sr. Public School Sir William Gage Middle School	Copeland Public School McHugh Public School Morton Way Public School Queen Street Public School Ray Lawson Public School Ridgeview Public School	Churchville Public School Roberta Bondar Public School
Castlebrooke^[35]	Castlebrooke Secondary School	Calderstone Middle School	Claireville Public School Red Willow Public School	Beryl Ford Public School Castle Oaks Public School Castlemore Public School Sir Isaac Brock Public School Thorndale Public School Walnut Grove Public School
Central Peel^[36]	Central Peel Secondary School	Gordon Graydon Sr. Public School Nibi Emoosawdang Public School	Agnes Taylor Public School Arnott Charlton Public School Harold F. Loughin Public School Kingswood Drive Public School Madoc Drive Public School	Sir Winston Churchill Public School
Chinguacousy^[37]	Chinguacousy Secondary School	Greenbriar Sr. Public School Calderstone Middle School	Goldcrest Public School Grenoble Public School Jefferson Public School Red Willow Public School
David Suzuki^[38]	David Suzuki Secondary School	Beatty-Fleming Sr. Public School Royal Orchard Middle School	Glendale Public School James Potter Public School Homestead Public School Northwood Public School Westervelts Corners Public School	Springbrook Public School McClure Public School
Fletcher's Meadow^[39]	Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School Parkholme School	Cheyne Middle School McCrimmon Middle School	Brisdale Public School Burnt Elm Public School Edenbrook Hill Public School Nelson Mandela Public School Rowntree Public School Worthington Public School	Aylesbury Public School Dolson Public School Mount Pleasant Village Public School Tribune Drive Public School
Harold Brathwaite^[40]	Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School		Fernforest Public School	Great Lakes Public School Ross Drive Public School
Heart Lake^[41]	Heart Lake Secondary School	Robert H. Lagerquist Sr. Public School	Conestoga Public School Esker Lake Public School Somerset Drive Public School Terry Fox Public School
Jean Augustine^[42]	Jean Augustine Secondary School			Ingleborough Public SchoolLorenville Public School Huttonville Public School Eldorado Public School Whaley's Corners Public school
Louise Arbour^[43]	Louise Arbour Secondary School	Lougheed Middle School Sunny View Middle School	Carberry Public School Hewson Public School Larkspur Public School Springdale Middle School Stanley Mills Public School	Countryside Village Public School Mount Royal Public School
North Park^[44]	North Park Secondary School	Williams Parkway Sr. Public School	Hanover Public School Hilldale Public School Massey Street Public School Russell D. Barber Public School
Sandalwood Heights^[45]	Sandalwood Heights Secondary School			Eagle Plains Public School Fairlawn Public School Mountain Ash Middle School Robert J. Lee Public School Shaw Public School Treeline Public School
Turner Fenton^[46]	Turner Fenton Secondary School Peel Alternative School North	Fletcher's Creek Sr. Public School William G. Davis Sr. Public School	Cherrytree Public School Helen Wilson Public School Hickory Wood Public School Parkway Public School Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School

Mississauga

School family	Secondary school (9-12)	Intermediate (Middle) School (6/7-8)	Elementary school (K-4/5/6)	K-8 school (K-8)
Applewood Heights^[47]	Applewood Heights Secondary School	Bristol Road Middle School Fairwind Sr. Public School Tomken Road Middle School	Barondale Public School Burnhamthorpe Public School Champlain Trail Public School Cooksville Creek Public School Dixie Public School Huntington Ridge Public School Nahani Way Public School Silverthorn Public School
Cawthra Park^[48]	Cawthra Park Secondary School Peel Alternative School South	Allan A. Martin Sr. Public School	Clifton Public School Janet I. McDougald Public School Munden Park Public School Westacres Public School
Clarkson^[49]	Clarkson Secondary School		Clarkson Public School Garthwood Park Public School Owenwood Public School	Hillside Public School
Erindale^[50]	Erindale Secondary School	Erin Mills Middle School Homelands Sr. Public School	Brookmede Public School Oakridge Public School Sawmill Valley Public School Sheridan Park Public School Thorn Lodge Public School
Glenforest^[51]	Glenforest Secondary School Glenforest South Secondary School	Glenhaven Sr. Public School	Forest Glen Public School Brian W. Fleming Public School
John Fraser^[52]	John Fraser Secondary School	Thomas Street Middle School	Castlebridge Public School Credit Valley Public School Middlebury Public School
Lincoln Alexander^[53]	Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School	Darcel Avenue Sr. Public School Morning Star Middle School	Brandon Gate Public School Corliss Public School Dunrankin Drive Public School Lancaster Public School Marvin Heights Public School Ridgewood Public School
Lorne Park^[54]	Lorne Park Secondary School	Hillcrest Middle School Green Glade Senior Public School	Owenwood Public School Lorne Park Public School Whiteoaks Public School	Tecumseh Public School
Meadowvale^[55]	Meadowvale Secondary School	Edenwood Middle School Lisgar Middle School	Kindree Public School Maple Wood Public School Miller's Grove Public School Osprey Woods Public School Plowman's Park Public School Plum Tree Park Public School Settler's Green Public School Shelter Bay Public School Trelawny Public School
Mississauga^[56]	Mississauga Secondary School	David Leeder Middle School	Britannia Public School Derry West Village Public School Levi Creek Public School Meadowvale Village Public School
Port Credit^[57]	Port Credit Secondary School	Camilla Road Senior Public School Queen Elizabeth Sr. Public School	Cashmere Avenue Public School Corsair Public School Floradale Public School Forest Avenue Public School Kenollie Public School Mineola Public School	Riverside Public School
Rick Hansen^[58]	Rick Hansen Secondary School	Fallingbrook Middle School	Edenrose Public School Sherwood Mills Public School Whitehorn Public School
Stephen Lewis^[59]	Stephen Lewis Secondary School Applewood School	Erin Centre Middle School Ruth Thompson Middle School	Artesian Drive Public School Churchill Meadows Public School McKinnon Public School Oscar Peterson Public School
Streetsville^[60]	Streetsville Secondary School West Credit Secondary School	Dolphin Sr. Public School Hazel McCallion Sr. Public School	Ray Underhill Public School Vista Heights Public School Willow Way Public School
TL Kennedy^[61]	Thomas L. Kennedy Secondary School	The Valleys Sr. Public School	Briarwood Public School Chris Hadfield Public School Elm Drive Public School Fairview Public School Silver Creek Public School Thornwood Public School
Woodlands^[62]	The Woodlands School		Ellengale Public School McBride Avenue Public School Springfield Public School	Hawthorn Public School Queenston Drive Public School

Controversies

Former Vice Principal Ranjit Khatkur of South Asian background alleged that her ethnic/racial background was the reason she was overlooked for promotion to principal despite fulfilling all requirements. Khatkur launched a legal complaint at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario alleging systematic discrimination in the Peel public board.^[63] It eventually culminated in allowing the Turner Consulting Group to release a Research Report on Hiring and Promotion at the Peel District School Board.^[64] The 111-page report led to changes in the hiring and promotion policies in the Peel Board.^[65] Previously Principals conducted interviews alone without having to demonstrate why they chose the applicants they did or document what questions they asked. The changes include having two people conducting an interview to eliminate bias, the principal is not part of the promotion process thereby eliminating their "gatekeeper" role, and begin a diversity census. The report found that it was not only ethnic or visible minorities that experienced discrimination. Tana Turner found that even some white males suspected nepotism, favoritism, or cronyism.

Trustees

Current trustees for the Peel board are^[66]

• Chair - Brad MacDonald
• Vice Chair - David Green

width=18%	Trustee	width=28%	Wards	width=30%	City
Carrie Andrews	Ward 7 and 8	Brampton
Susan Benjamin	Ward 5	Mississauga
Stan Cameron	Wards	Caledon
Robert Crocker	Wards 6 and 11	Mississauga
Nokha Dakroub	Wards 9 and 10	Mississauga
Will Davies	Wards 2 and 6	Brampton
David Green	Wards 1 and 5	Brampton
Sue Lawton	Wards 3 and 4	Mississauga
Brad MacDonald	Ward 2 and 8	Mississauga
John Marchant	Wards 1 and 7	Mississauga
Kathy McDonald	Wards 3 and 4	Brampton
Balbir Sohi	Wards 9 and 10	Brampton
Deepanwita Sen	N/A - Student trustee for Peel schools north of Highway 401	North Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon
Selena Zhou	N/A - Student trustee for Peel schools south of Highway 401	Mississauga

See also

• Education in Ontario
• Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board
• List of school districts in Ontario
• List of high schools in Ontario

External links

• Peel District School Board
• MNS Multicultural, Settlement and Education Partnership
• Peel District School Board Special Education Page
• PDSB Guidelines in Assessing Students for Enhanced Learning Programs (.doc)
• Association for Bright Children - Peel Chapter

See also: Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Contact Us (Address at the bottom of the page) . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 19 August 2020.
2. Web site: Director's Message . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 17 August 2021.
3. Web site: Staff Directory . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 24 August 2021.
4. Web site: Staff Directory . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 24 August 2021.
5. Web site: Meet Your Trustee . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 19 August 2020.
6. Web site: Student Trustees . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 13 September 2021.
7. Web site: About Us . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 24 August 2021.
8. Web site: Budget and Financial Statements . PDSB . 24 August 2021.
9. Web site: About Us . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 24 August 2021.
10. Web site: About Us . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 24 August 2021.
11. Web site: District School Boards and School Authorities . February 9, 1998 . June 12, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19980209214058/http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/bordlist.html . February 9, 1998 .
12. Web site: ONTARIO REGULATION 107/08. e-Laws, Ontario. April 24, 2008. June 10, 2012.
13. Web site: Environment and Sustainability. 2021-07-21. www.peelschools.org. PDSB.
14. Work In Peel on Peel board website Web site: Untitled Document . 2012-06-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120307190134/http://www.peelschools.org/work/offer/offer.htm . March 7, 2012 . mdy-all .
15. Rushowy, Kristin. "Toronto and Peel school boards prepare for biggest cuts since Harris years." Toronto Star. Wednesday June 13, 2012. Retrieved on May 20, 2013. "That sentiment was echoed at the Peel public board — the second-largest school board in the country, behind Toronto[...]"
16. Web site: Environment and Sustainability. 2021-07-21. www.peelschools.org. PDSB.
17. Peel District School Board. "School board to launch websites in 25 languages ." The Brampton News. September 1, 2006. Retrieved on June 8, 2012.
18. News: New head of Peel school board vows to support marginalized students. Andrea. Gordon. September 4, 2017. Toronto Star.
19. News: Media release. pdsb.org.
20. Web site: Peel activists, parents 'devastated' Colleen Russell-Rawlins leaving public school board.
21. News: Peel District School Board announces new director of education. The Toronto Star. August 6, 2021.
22. Logo launch news release Web site: Untitled Document . 2012-06-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111219101244/http://peelschools.org/media/news2002/050906.htm . December 19, 2011 . mdy-all .
23. Aubin, Benoit and Jonathon Gatehouse. "Do immigrants need rules? The debate rages on." Maclean's. March 5, 2007. Retrieved on October 11, 2012.
24. Web site: Alternative Programs: Adult Education . Peelschools.org . June 12, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120628032803/http://www.peelschools.org/alt_programs/adult_ed/index.htm . June 28, 2012 . mdy-all .
25. Web site: Course for foreign teachers . BramptonGuardian Article . March 7, 2011 . June 12, 2012.
26. Web site: Alternative Programs: International Languages . Peelschools.org . June 12, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120611101202/http://www.peelschools.org/alt_programs/con_ed/international_lang/index.htm . June 11, 2012 . mdy-all .
27. Web site: Alternative Programs: Continuing Education . Peelschools.org . June 12, 2012.
28. Web site: Getting to know special education programs and services. Peel District School Board. June 7, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111014073632/http://peelschools.org/parents/facts/specialeducation-progservices.htm. October 14, 2011. mdy-all.
29. Web site: Enhanced Programs at Secondary Schools in the Peel public board and the Dufferin Peel Catholic separate board. Association for Bright Children - Peel Chapter. June 7, 2011.
30. Web site: Families of Schools 2018-19 . Families of Schools . Peel District School Board . 16 February 2019.
31. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Humberview%20Directions%20Map.pdf Humberview school family map
32. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Mayfield%20Directions%20Map.pdf Mayfield school family map
33. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Bramalea%20Directions%20Map.pdf Bramalea school family map
34. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Brampton%20Centennial%20Directions%20Map.pdf Brampton Centennial school family map
35. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Castlebrooke%20Directions%20Map.pdf Castlebrooke school family map
36. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Central%20Peel%20Directions%20Map.pdf Central Peel school family map
37. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Chinguacousy%20Directions%20Map.pdf Chinguacousy school family map
38. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/David%20Suzuki%20Directions%20Map.pdf David Suzuki school family map
39. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Fletchers%20Meadow%20Directions%20Map.pdf Fletcher's Meadow school family map
40. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Harold%20Brathwaite%20Directions%20Map.pdf Harold Brathwaite school family map
41. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Heart%20Lake%20Directions%20Map.pdf Heart Lake school family map
42. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Jean%20Augustine%20Directions%20Map.pdf Jean Augustine school family map
43. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Louise%20Arbour%20Directions%20Map.pdf Louise Arbour school family map
44. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/North%20Park%20Directions%20Map.pdf North Park school family map
45. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Sandalwood%20Heights%20Directions%20Map.pdf Sandalwood Heights school family map
46. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Turner%20Fenton%20Directions%20Map.pdf Turner Fenton school family map
47. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Applewood%20Heights%20Directions%20Map.pdf Applewood Heights school family map
48. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Cawthra%20Park%20Directions%20Map.pdf Cawthra Park school family map
49. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Clarkson%20Directions%20Map.pdf Clarkson school family map
50. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Erindale%20Directions%20Map.pdf Erindale school family map
51. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Glenforest%20Directions%20Map.pdf Glenforest school family map
52. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/John%20Fraser%20Directions%20Map.pdf John Fraser school family map
53. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Lincoln%20Alexander%20Directions%20Map.pdf Lincoln Alexander school family map
54. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Lorne%20Park%20Directions%20Map.pdf Lorne Park school family map
55. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Meadowale%20Directions%20Map.pdf Meadowvale school family map
56. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Mississauga%20Directions%20Map.pdf Mississauga school family map
57. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Port%20Credit%20Directions%20Map.pdf Port Credit school family map
58. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Rick%20Hansen%20Directions%20Map.pdf Rick Hansen school family map
59. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Stephen%20Lewis%20Directions%20Map.pdf Stephen Lewis school family map
60. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Streetsville%20Directions%20Map.pdf Streetsville school family map
61. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/TL%20Kennedy%20Directions%20Map.pdf TL Kennedy school family map
62. http://www.peelschools.org/schools/families/Documents/Woodlands%20Directions%20Map.pdf Woodlands school family map
63. News: Grewal. San. Tribunal to probe Peel school board discrimination. Toronto Star. February 4, 2011.
64. Web site: Research Report: Hiring and Promotion at the Peel District School Board. Peel Schools. Turner Consulting Group. January 22, 2013.
65. News: Brown. Louise. Peel school board launches plan to hire on the basis of merit, not nepotism. The Star. January 23, 2013.
66. Web site: Meet Your Trustee . www.peelschools.org . PDSB . 13 September 2021.