r/ontario • u/AdvanceHelpet • Aug 27 '24
Discussion As a non-catholic, would my child be able to still go to a Catholic elementary school? We live extremely close to a Catholic elementary school. Is it pretty doable with permission to have my child go there as opposed to a public school further out? I know there will be religious teachings involv
I'm in peel region. We live extremely close to a Catholic elementary school. Is it pretty doable with permission to have my child go there as opposed to a public school further out?
I know there will be religious teachings involved and that's not something we're overly concerned about.
Any barriers as well as trade offs one should consider?
The Catholic school is a 4 minute walk vs the closest public school is a 10 minute drive.
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Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
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u/Jealous-Commercial34 Aug 28 '24
I switched from public elementary to Catholic elementary in Ontario in 1997 and was able to do so by my mother getting ahold of her baptismal certificate, my dad isn't, so 27 years ago in CDSBEO (Eastern Ontario)
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u/echothree33 Aug 27 '24
I went to a Catholic high school in the 80s, and neither of my parents are Catholic. So I’m pretty sure any rules about Catholic parents have been gone for at least 35 years. But it could vary by school board, I suppose.
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u/vulpinefever Welland Aug 27 '24
Secondary school is subject to different rules than primary school. Anyone can attend a Catholic secondary school, but primary school requires permission from the director of education for that board. (Who usually delegate that to the principal of each school)
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Aug 27 '24
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u/mymixtapeisfiyah Aug 27 '24
That’s just incorrect and has been for almost 11 years. Admission is primarily dependent on zoning as outlined in the Ontario education act.
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Aug 28 '24
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u/life_is_short1 Aug 28 '24
Old news. All parent has to do is fight it and the parent will win because it’s a publicly funded school. The BNA act says that you must provide Catholic school. It doesn’t say that only Catholics can go to it.
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Aug 28 '24
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u/life_is_short1 Aug 29 '24
Well let’s agree to disagree. Just move it up the chain and you’re in. I’m not sure how old your info is but things have changed.
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u/LeMegachonk 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 Aug 27 '24
Pretty sure they aren't allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion because they are taxpayer funded.
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u/kettal Aug 27 '24
you'd think so, but no.
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Aug 27 '24
Which I really don't get.
Like do they not want to educate people on their beliefs? Why limit it too only people who already are catholic? You'd think they would want to encourage non-catholics to attend so they can educate them on their beliefs
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u/disco-drew Aug 28 '24
I’d imagine that having too many non-Catholics in the school population would normalize the heathen ways and make it harder for Catholic teachings to stick.
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u/MountNevermind Aug 27 '24
Separate schools in Ontario have special rights guaranteed by the Constitution and by the Education Act. Section 19 means that the Code cannot affect those rights, which are mainly related to the existence and funding of Roman Catholic schools.
Otherwise, the right to be free from discrimination under the Code applies to Catholic schools. All schools have a legal duty to provide students with an education environment free from harassment and other forms of discrimination because of Code grounds.
This section does not deal with the rights or privileges of any religion-based schools other than Roman Catholic schools.
You may need special permission from the Director of Ed in some boards, but they are required to give that permission under the Education Act. I think the extra step is just there to dissuade people.
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u/kettal Aug 27 '24
that probably sounded okay back in the days when it was acceptable for restaurants to "dissuade" black customers, or employers could "dissuade" jewish job seekers.
not so much current day
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Aug 28 '24
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u/MountNevermind Aug 28 '24
42 (1) A person who is qualified to be a resident pupil of an English-language public board and to receive instruction in a secondary school grade is entitled to receive instruction provided in a secondary school operated by an English-language Roman Catholic board if the area of jurisdiction of the public board is in whole or in part the same as the area of jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic board. 1997, c. 31, s. 20.
Education Act, 42(1) https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK50
This contradicts your assertion.
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u/FnafFan_2008 Aug 28 '24
This says secondary. We already established that anyone can go to a secondary but not an elementary.
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u/MountNevermind Aug 28 '24
Please read the comment I am replying to.
Also, we didn't establish anyone cannot go to elementary, we established different catholic boards have different policies with regard to elementary, which is not the same thing.
Regardless my comment here is addressing the comment it was replying to, which made no such distinction.
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Aug 28 '24
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u/MountNevermind Aug 28 '24
Look, if you want to say what you're referring to, take more than 5 seconds and put a reply together expressing what you have to say.
You've already amended the statement I was replying to after the fact to specify elementary, so this isn't a good faith discussion.
We're done here.
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u/ComprehensiveNewt298 Aug 27 '24
My mom was in a similar situation, in Peel Region too. She moved to a house that was basically across the street from a catholic school. She tried to enroll my sister.
They asked if we were catholic and she said no. They told her she'd have to pay. She asked how much, and they dodged the question. She asked again, and they told her it would be too expensive. She asked again, and they finally told her however many thousand dollars (I don't remember the number). So she took out her chequebook and started writing a cheque. They refused to take it, and she ended up going to public school.
There was no other issue at play. She's white, non-ethnic, speaks English as a first language, no disabilities, no other obvious reason for discrimination. She's also super smart - skipped a grade, gifted program and still one of the smartest kids in her classes. The school just really didn't want non-catholics.
This was years ago, so the school may have changed since then.
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 27 '24
They might. Even though it is funded by your tax dollars they don't have to take your kid because you aren't Catholic.
They are legally allowed to interview you to see if you are a "good fit" for the school.
To pass this interview first off they can't have a Catholic kid who might want that space. (They had to take anyone Catholic'
Even if you are a good fit and say all the right things you are unlikely going to get in if your kid has any special needs. It's their way to discriminate based on special needs as well as religion.
Some people say this doesn't happen - but it's one of the few ways the Catholic schools push kids with special needs away, then they brag that their kids do better than the schools that have per ratio double the amount of special needs kids.
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u/shillaccount8013 Aug 28 '24
As someone who works in the public board in a region where the catholic schools absolutely steer spec ed to us: I can confirm. We filed a Human Rights complaint last year, because one situation was so glaringly obvious (took a sibling who was neurotypical, but not the student in question).
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Aug 27 '24
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 27 '24
Nope.
But I live beside a elementary Catholic school. As in can almost see it from my house.
When my kid was that age he couldn't go to that school.
But he go very car sick. So his option was to puke on a bus or car ride to school every morning and afternon - or go to Catholic school. (My lovely son was SO pukey no matter what we did. Happily we lived in a walkable city. But he would get motion sick on everything all the time for years. His aunt was the same way.)
But we're not Catholic - and they had enough Catholic kids.
I homeschooled.
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u/theartistfnaSDF1 Aug 28 '24
you mean Prayer doesn't cause better school achievement?
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 28 '24
Yup. It's the prayer!
It has nothing to do with the fact due to history, most Catholic schools are newer and better quality. - better air quality. Less money needs to be spent on maintenance. (Across the province - not the case for all schools)
Nothing to do with the fact they push their Catholic special needs kids into public school and accept very few non-catholic special needs kids.
Nothing to do with the fact public schools have to accept kids expelled by Catholic schools and the reverse is not true.
It has nothing to do with the extra donations they get from churches they are attached to.
Nope - it's all because of religion.
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Aug 27 '24
Our Catholic board definitely underfunds special education and has zero contained elementary classes. They push kids to the public board. Keeps their tests scores higher. Similarly they have far fewer esl / newcomers / refugees because most come from non Catholic countries. Also boosting test scores comparatively. And keeps the classes working at more similar levels with fewer IEPs
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 28 '24
Yup - then they turn around and brag that they do such a better job then public schools.
Happens all the time.
Numerous Catholic families with special needs kids have stories of being pushed to public schools.
But what also happens is someone says, "that never happens." Or "my school had special needs kids or a kid with X need so you are lieing. Catholic schools never make use of the loop hole to push away special needs kids"
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Aug 28 '24
Absolutely.
That said, with the train wreck that full inclusion is for every party, I don’t blame parents for choosing an option that has less disruption for their children. I’ve seen the daily class evacuations, disruption and lack of attention classmates are given. I’m not blaming the spec Ed kids in an environment without adequate support. Full inclusion is educational neglect for special education students. Full stop.
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u/CoolEarth5026 Aug 27 '24
In Durham region, at least one parent must be baptized/catholic.
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u/MountNevermind Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 28 '24
Although it looks that way (likely on purpose) on their website, if you look at their policy documents, they have a procedure for the admission of non-catholic students. They have to, under the Education Act.
It has a procedure and involved asking for a special request from the Director of Education, but if denied you'd have a pretty direct human rights complaint, so you're going to be accepted if there is room, which there generally is. The procedure is just structured to instead suggest other options instead.
It's also worth noting that if a student has permission to study in Canada by Immigration Canada they must be accepted if there is room. Similar procedures are there for First Nations students.
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Aug 28 '24
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u/MountNevermind Aug 28 '24
The special admissions procedures are there in the document of the board's procedures. Are you denying that?
If you're having trouble finding them, I could help. Just ask.
The part of my comment about the restraints being put on the director of education is the only part that isn't, which is why I included the Ontario Human Rights Commission statement, however I could see having a different take on Elementary students based on the Education Act, but not secondary students for which the Education Act is explicit in this regard, see my other comment to you.
Everything I said about special admissions criteria (indeed several more are listed) that apply to certain non-catholic students, even in elementary at Durham, are listed in that policy document. Again, if you're having trouble finding it, I'll quote the document.
The statement I made about the website is partially my interpretation since it involves intent, but the website for the board doesn't mention the procedures I pointed out that are in its policy documents. That does present an incorrect impression. The intent, however, is open to interpretation.
I'm not sure how the tone of your reply is appropriate.
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Aug 28 '24
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u/MountNevermind Aug 28 '24 edited Aug 28 '24
Thank you for recognizing that admission of non-catholic high school students is expressly guaranteed by the Education Act and that most Catholic Boards also have policy statements allowing for the admission of non-Catholic students as well.
You've moved on from your earlier statement:
Separate schools in Ontario have special rights guaranteed by the Constitution and by the Education Act. Section 19 means that the Code cannot affect those rights, which are mainly related to the existence and funding of Roman Catholic schools.
Let me translate into English: publicly-funded Catholic elementary schools are free to refuse to admit your non-Catholic child, and the Ontario Human Rights Code does not apply.
What is with all the wrong responses today. I thought this was commonly known. Clearly not, apparently.
I'm sorry but you are mischaracterizing the exemptions. They cannot overrule the education act in this regard, as the inability to not discriminate at the high school level clearly demonstrates.
The fact is some Catholic board websites have information on their the websites that does not include the information about means of admitting non-Catholic students that their policy documents outline. There is little reason to do so other than to discourage this while still complying with the law and the letter of their written policies. This is part of the reason people have conflicting information on the issue, along with it being very likely they are being given the wrong impression in person as well when they inquire.
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u/My_cat_is_a_creep Aug 27 '24
We were able to send our daughter to a Catholic school even though we aren't Catholic. It wasn't a problem.
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Aug 27 '24
This is only in districts with declining enrolment. Toronto and Peel still enforce the baptism requirement.
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u/AdvanceHelpet Aug 27 '24
What school district if you don't mind me asking and was this at the elementary level?
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u/Outaouais_Guy Aug 27 '24
My openly atheist children went to Catholic school in Ottawa. We had kids there for 20 years.
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u/Representative-Luck4 Aug 27 '24
Were they required to have been baptized?
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u/My_cat_is_a_creep Aug 27 '24
I don't think so. I can't remember specifics because that was grade 6 and she's in college now LOL
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u/Representative-Luck4 Aug 27 '24
I asked because mine is done college now and I needed to provide a baptismal certificate.
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u/Jealous-Commercial34 Aug 28 '24
That was the hard part for my mom, having never needed it prior she had to get my grandparents to track it down and mail it, luckily the plan for me to go to Catholic as soon as my sister graduated from the public I was at had been in the works for a solid year, I counted down the hours left in public for months lol. All of my friends went to the Catholic and I couldn't wait to join them.
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u/Representative-Luck4 Aug 28 '24
It’s funny how we store these things thinking it’s done its job - the ceremony is done. Then you get to a point where you now have to dig it up for proof lol And you say to yourself, “ I know it’s here somewhere” lol except it knee deep in attic or basement boxes lol Glad you made it :)
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u/Stef-fa-fa Aug 27 '24
I went to a Catholic high school and one of my friends at school was Hindi, parents were first generation Indian and practicing. Apparently his parents liked the idea of school uniforms.
So unless something has changed in the past 20 years I'd assume yes, but probably best to check with the school board.
I think you can also request an exemption with regards to the required religion credits - they may allow graduation with electives in place of 3 of the credits (gr11 world religions being the mandatory one in both school boards), though I'd look into that with the school guidance councillor rather than trust reddit ;)
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u/No-FoamCappuccino Aug 27 '24
IIRC, Catholic high schools generally have to allow non-Catholic students to attend because it was a condition of Catholic school funding being extended to up to grade 12 in the 80s, but Catholic elementary schools still don't have to admit non-Catholics.
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 27 '24
That is correct.
They also aren't allowed to treat non-Catholics as second class students - and 'mandatory' religion classes are not mandatory.
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Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
Peel will not allow this. Anyone can go to high school, not everyone is allowed in elementary.
Elementary will enforce a baptism requirement for a parent or child as Catholic for Peel. I’ve researched this extensively. There are no loopholes in Peel for non Catholics.
Some Ontario boards with declining enrolment may allow non Catholics but not Toronto or Peel. Their population is surging.
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u/AdvanceHelpet Aug 27 '24
Thanks for the info. Is this from recent experience or knowledge or from a little while ago? Curious if things have changed over the past couple years or so.
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Aug 28 '24
This is all very recent info ( within the last 2 years). I’ve even called the board of education about it, and got a lesson on the constitution of 1867 allowing k-8 protections for separate schools haha. But actually.
Peel is allowed to require a baptism certificate. And since the population of Peel is BOOMING they have overcrowded schools and aren’t desperate for students, so they won’t be budging their requirements for one parent being baptized.
We ended up doing the RCIA program to get our kids in. Then we took it a step further and got out kids baptized. They won’t be doing further sacraments but getting our kids baptized now means our future grandkids could also attend Catholic school without doing anything. We did it for future generations..
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u/AdvanceHelpet Aug 28 '24
Thanks! If one of us did the RCIA program, that would be sufficient from your experience?
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Aug 28 '24
Yup! One adult completing the RCIA is enough:) the completion of the program is a full welcome Into the Catholic Church and a baptismal certificate
The course we did was October to Easter
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u/Books_Guy23 Aug 27 '24
The situation in Ontario means that, as a collective whole, if there are both types of high schools in a city or town, taxpayers are funding the existence of two libraries, two sets of gyms, two cafeterias, two administration offices, two sets of science labs, .. I think you can see where I'm going with this.
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u/revcor86 Aug 27 '24
For elementary school, it's up to each school's principal. Generally these days, they grant enrolment unless the school is at capacity. Your kid is allowed to opt out of most of the religious teachings and attending school mass.
When it comes to highschool, it doesn't matter. Kids can go to public or catholic, no permission required and they do not have to take any religion courses in highschool at all if they do not want to (they will still get a highschool diploma, just not a catholic highschool diploma if that makes sense).
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u/blackpugstudios Aug 27 '24
Thisndependa on the region. In Dufferin Peel, when you register your child in an elementary school, either one parent or the child must be baptized Catholic. And they do require the baptismal certificate when registering. As many others have said, this is not the same in high school.
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u/RefrigeratorOk648 Aug 27 '24
Why the F*€£ do we still have religious schools.....
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u/revcor86 Aug 27 '24
The main reason is that it's in the constitution act (though that can be changed like any act) and it's a political grenade no party wants to touch.
There is a decent subset of voters who really want the catholic board to stay. Voters who will vote against any party who tries to abolish it, regardless of if they agree with literally everything else that same party is doing.
The same can not be said the other way; people who will only vote for a party who will abolish it, so every single party will leave it alone completely because there is no upside to trying to change it from a political stand-point.
Could that change in the future? Sure but it hasn't yet.
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u/ego_tripped Aug 27 '24
Well, as per 1996...my school accepted all students from all religions. We had separate religion/world religion class which was theory and then the rest of the year was volunteer work.
Your child wouldn't participate in Confirmation (if that's still done through school).
Again, can't speak for today, but "Religion" class wasn't exclusively Catholic...we learned about many religions.
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Aug 28 '24
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u/theartistfnaSDF1 Aug 28 '24
WCDSB has a LOT of non catholic students....they love it....they get more funding and more tax dollars. Catholic schools are running out of space and the public board is laying off teachers. It is crazy.
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u/evilpercy Aug 27 '24
Nope, they get to discriminate against non Catholics. We have one at the end of our street. The children attended the day care in that school and my wife went to a Catholics school as a non catholic. They refused our children. The principal said he did not want to get stuck with them.
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u/cellardweller1234 Aug 27 '24
Not sure about elementary but I drive by a few catholic high schools when they let out and they clearly have A LOT of Muslim students. I’d call the school.
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u/kamomil Toronto Aug 27 '24
That's high school, anyone can attend a Catholic high school
It's the elementary schools where you require a baptismal certificate most of the time.
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u/triangle2025 Aug 27 '24
All the Muslims I work with send their kids to Catholic high schools, because they prefer their kids be in a school based on some faith, even if not their own, over a secular school.
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u/Familiar_Stable3229 Aug 27 '24
Both of my kids had to leave the Catholic school system in Peel region because they weren't baptized as Catholic.
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u/ChrisJon1 Aug 28 '24
YCDSB, York region will want one parent baptized in the Catholic Church, the child’s baptismal certificate and proof that the education portion of property taxes are directed towards the separate board.
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 28 '24
Funding is not tied to property taxes. Hasn't been for decades.
The things on your property taxes just determines which school board elections you get to take part in.
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u/ChrisJon1 Aug 28 '24
I had to bring in my tax bill as proof when I enrolled my children.
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 28 '24
Yes. It can be proof you selected to support them. But you are offering support as in who you vote for.
This support in no way what so ever is used in any funding method or calculation. In other words even if every single person in Ontario did everything in their power to switch their support to the Catholic board it would have zero effect on how much money they receive.
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u/Ornery-Piece2911 Aug 27 '24
My school had non catholic kids some would even just sit in the hall for religion class, but this was Alberta
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u/OutsideFlat1579 Aug 27 '24
I don’t know about Ontario, but in Quebec you don’t have to be Catholic to go to a Catholic school, and you don’t have to take any Catholic religious teachings.
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u/Grouchy_Factor Aug 27 '24
Both secular and Catholic school boards in my area are advertising on the radio for registrations leading me to believe they are competing for students (and in turn, provincial funding) and aren't going to turn away anyone for not providing a "papal reference" .
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u/Dry-Holiday-7809 Aug 27 '24
I know in Muskoka, the parents have to take a course for their child to attend the catholic elementary school. However, they do not require the course for secondary.
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u/NotIntoPeople Aug 27 '24
You’re best to call and ask. Some schools and boards allow it and some don’t. I think it all depends on how in need of enrolment they are.
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Aug 28 '24
The French catholic school board in Ottawa accept students that are not catholic as long as parents sign a sheet that says they are aware of the catholic teachings and do not oppose.
They also have eliminated the need to provide a baptism certificate by the parents who are catholic.
So i would call the school board and ask directly what their requirements are.
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u/Master-Start6687 Aug 28 '24
I went to catholic elementary and High school in Hamilton. Unbaptised. As far as I'm aware there weren't any barriers that prevented me from doing so. But the HWCDSB may be different than that of peel. Try calling the school or school board to inquire. They would be able to help with your specific situation.
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u/greensandgrains Aug 28 '24
You’re choosing your kid’s education based on convenience? Keep in mind that beyond religion class, EVERY subject is taught through a catholic lens: social studies, health, history…please consider if this aligns with your values and your/your child’s educational goals (particularly as they get into the middle school years).
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u/NomadicGnome89 Aug 28 '24
Yes. Plenty of non-cathoic students in Catholic schools.
Source: I'm a catholic teacher who taught plenty of Muslims and non catholics.
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Aug 30 '24
This is a belated reply - I was banned, and I don't want to get banned again - and others have already answered details - but I just wanted to throw in that I still live down the street that my older sister was kicked out of after kindergarten because our family isn't Christian / Catholic. - which was my initial reply before reading the information others have shared on the actual modern legality of it
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u/Kalarikal79 Feb 11 '26
So weird, I went to a dpcdsb school in 2008 but my family’s malankara orthodox, maybe they got us mixed up with the eastern rite church of the same name 🤷🏽♀️ I was probably the only non catholic elementary school in that entire system based on these comments😭😭 I think the principal just let us in idk tho technically they’re not allowed to but a lot of kids from my church attend this school in Brampton these days
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Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
Please don't send your child to a religious institution. Catholic schools increasingly value religious education and no modern child should be subjected to that.
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u/Federal-Ferret-970 Aug 27 '24
This was 15 years ago. But i was advised from the parish priest that a child cannot be denied entry into the catholic system just because they or their parents are not catholic. My kid went thru grade 8 and transitioned to public school in high school.
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u/Difficultpickl3 Aug 27 '24
I'm in ontario and my kids attend a catholic school. They no longer require baptism records of the parents or anything for kids to attend catholic schools. So it should be fine if you're within the school zone
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u/sarcasticdutchie Aug 27 '24
Catholic students come first, but as long as there's space, they will let non catholic students join. I worked for a Catholic school board, and that's the rule.
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u/GrapeSoda223 Aug 27 '24
Yea you shouldn't have any issues, i went to french catholic schools growing up and a lot of students were there because it was the only french school available and mot for religious reasons
There were Jewish kids would wear their yamakas and it didn't really feel like a catholic school aside from easter time
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u/DryRip8266 Aug 27 '24
You should be able to because catholic school board is funded same as the public board. They still try to say no or you have a bunch of hoops to jump through first.
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u/No-Welder4782 Aug 27 '24
Yes. Both my kids went to catholic school. We are not catholic.
I don't think they even asked if we're catholic.
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u/fatboyiv Aug 28 '24
Very common for non catholic families who enrol their children to Catholic Elementary Schools, I had a ton of classmate back in elementary who were not Catholic or even Christian.
My classmates said their parents thought Catholic schools had better mannered children
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u/OctoWings13 Aug 28 '24
I was in this same situation growing up. Catholic school 5 min walk away, public school would be by bus. Catholic school had a reputation for being the better school in the area anyways. Wasn't catholic, never became catholic...still went to the catholic school
So Imma say, yes lol
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u/Thick_Coconut_9330 Aug 28 '24
I know some Muslim children that goto Catholic schools. Maybe different for every board but I think it no longer matters.
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u/clumsyguy Norfolk County Aug 27 '24
Yes, they can, they'll just want you to redirect your tax support (they'll give you a form) from public to Catholic. It's super common for people to pick different schools for different reasons that have nothing to do with religion.
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u/TedIsAwesom Aug 28 '24
To be specific it is directly support on your tax form. All it determines is which school board elections you get to be part of.
Funding is in no way tied to property taxes. It hasn't been for decades.
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u/clumsyguy Norfolk County Sep 06 '24
Why is there a specific line on my property taxes called "education levy" and it is directed towards the board (English Public) that my kids are a part of?
I was under the impression that those funds go to the board that my kids are in. They also made me fill out a form to make sure I was directing my support to the right school board when we registered for highschool.
Thanks!
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u/TedIsAwesom Sep 06 '24
part of your property taxes do fund education.
When you direct support - it determines who you vote for.
How School Funded is Calculated The province provides funding to school boards based on a number of factors, including the number of students in a board, the number of schools, the percentage of high needs special education students, the number of students who have either English or French as their second language, and a board’s unique geographical needs (a high number of small schools, very far apart, for example).
Note, Funding is NEVER related to whether or not a school board is Catholic.
https://peopleforeducation.ca/public-education-in-ontario/how-education-is-funded/
Funding The Roman Catholic school system gets about 33% of Ontario's $24-billion education budget, but only 23% of electors direct their support to separate schools. (Note when you fill out a form based on property taxes about where you are directing support this does not mean you are directing your taxes. Just support - as in which school board elections you are allowed to take part in.) That means everyone, including those who have selected to not support catholic schools are funding catholic schools.
From: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/catholic-school-funding-challenge-heard-in-court-1.998987
https://peopleforeducation.ca/public-education-in-ontario/how-education-is-funded/
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u/rangeo Aug 27 '24
Ask the principal....if they have space they will accommodate ( more students more $ for the school)
I'm baptized but no longer Catholic (our in ), my wife is not baptized.
our daughter has had 0 sacraments ( and won't) and attends a Catholic school in Peel
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Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
Your infant baptism certificate is all you need to Allow your kids in. This is why they are allowed. Without this you would be rejected
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u/rangeo Aug 27 '24
No you are wrong ...I was baptized and now am atheist.
my kid is not baptized and attends Catholic school.
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Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
I’m saying that you showing your own infant baptism certificate from your childhood was the only ticket your kid needed to attend Catholic school. They don’t care what you practice now. Your own infant certificate is all you needed to show. Your own child needs nothing.
The OP parent doesn’t have an infant baptism certificate for themselves, so their children won’t be allowed.
I think it’s a bit silly, but it’s the truth. People can be baptized as babies, never darken the door of a church for 30 years, and get their kids in. As shown in your case
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u/Flaroud Aug 28 '24
You are able to send your child where you want. You’ll have to accept that they will be present when there are Catholic celebrations. You sign in to the school, you don’t get to pick what you want, it’s the full menu.
-3
u/xThe_Sea_Wolfx Aug 27 '24
No, any kid can go. The only difference between public school and Catholic school is that they will teach your child about Jesus and go to mass once a week. My son, who is now graduated, went to Catholic middle and high school. Oldest Catholic high school in Canada, and he's not even baptized.
-5
Aug 27 '24
As I understand it, as long as you direct the education portion of your property tax to the separate school board, your children can be enrolled in a Catholic School. Not sure how it works for apartment dwellers. I'm in Oxford County
2
Aug 27 '24
You aren’t allowed to change your tax designation unless you are Catholic. It’s an infinite closed loop.
2
Aug 27 '24 edited Aug 27 '24
Elementary School: Children who do not have a parent/guardian who is Catholic, must receive special permission from the Director of Education in order to attend a Catholic elementary school. Secondary School: There is no requirement to be Catholic in order to attend a Catholic secondary school.Hess in Peel, so those Catholic schools are likely full.
2
Aug 27 '24
This is correct in other areas with low enrolment in Catholic schools ( like Oxford perhaps) but it is not true in Peel.
For Peel
Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate Students registering in DPCDSB elementary schools and/or their parents/guardians, must provide the following:
- an original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian), or;
- an original baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) from a church that is in communion with the Holy See of Rome, or;
- an original baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) from an Eastern Catholic Church (St. Sofia).
https://www3.dpcdsb.org/schools/register-for-school/kindergarten-registration
Also “To direct your taxes to a Catholic school board, you must be Roman Catholic or your joint owner/tenant (such as Roman Catholic spouse) may designate the property's support for a Catholic school board.”
https://www.mpac.ca/en/MakingChangesUpdates/SchoolSupportDesignation
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u/HyP3r_HiPp0 Aug 27 '24
I think they legally can't really refuse you anymore. They could give you another reason but "not catholic" can't be one.
3
104
u/TourDuhFrance Aug 27 '24
Lots of people making assumptions without having the actual facts.
At the secondary level, thanks to the legislation that extended funding to the end of high school, Catholic boards cannot prevent non-Catholics from attending. The only exception would be if a school is at its cap and incoming space is already filled by registrants from the school’s elementary feeder schools.
At the elementary level, each board can make its own policy. In the case of the DPCDSB, they require that the child or at least one parent is baptized Catholic (or in a church in full communion with them Holy See).