How to register a child for public school
Checked October 2026
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) runs the English public schools in Oakville. The Catholic board is separate and registers its own way. You register a child at the school assigned to your address. The board’s online pre-registration form is for new HDSB students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Halton. HDSB routes everyone else to its Welcome Centre. Either way, the school still has to see your documents.
Your address decides the school, not the distance. Check the board’s Find My Local School tool before you do anything else.
For Kindergarten, a child starts Year 1 (Junior Kindergarten) in the September of the year they turn four, and Year 2 (Senior Kindergarten) in the year they turn five. The cut-off is December 31 of that year. Registration for a September start opens in the autumn of the year before: registration for September 2026 opened on October 20, 2025.
What to bring
- Proof of the child’s age. One document, such as a birth certificate, Canadian passport, citizenship card or certificate, Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292), permanent resident card, or Secure Certificate of Indian Status.
- Proof of address. Two current documents, such as a property tax bill, a purchase or sale agreement, an Ontario residential tenancy agreement, a bank statement, a utility bill, or a document from the federal or provincial government.
- Proof of custody, only if you are not the child’s parent and the child is under 18. A court order is required.
The board also asks for documents showing the child’s and the parent’s status in Canada. The accepted list is on the HDSB registration page, and it is longer than most people expect, so read it before you go.
Not every student registers at their local school. HDSB has a “Where do I register” tool that tells you whether to go to the school or to the board’s Welcome Centre, which also handles English and mathematics assessment for Grades 9 to 12. The Welcome Centre can be reached at welcomecentre@hdsb.ca or 905-335-3665, extension 3440.
Common mistakes
- Bringing one proof of address. Two current documents are required.
- Assuming the nearest school is your school. The boundary tool decides.
- Giving immunization records to the school. Vaccinations are reported to Halton Region Public Health, through the Immunization Connect Ontario portal or by calling 311. Your doctor does not report them for you.
- Treating the online form as the finish line. Registration is not complete until the school has your documents.
- Waiting until August for Kindergarten. The window opens roughly a year earlier.
How long it takes
The paperwork itself is a one-sitting job. The school’s side is what takes time, so expect a call or email from the school office rather than a confirmation on the spot. For a September start, register as early as the window allows.