Our Catholic Learning Community
The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) shares a sense of community among families, educators and parishes and is committed to integrating the teachings of the Gospel with quality educational programs that guide students in their journeys to meeting the Catholic Graduate Expectations. In the 2023-2024 school year, the board served elementary and secondary students in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, and the townships of Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock, in addition to thousands of adult and continuing education learners.
Please see a 2023-2024 overview below:
Our 2023-2024 Spiritual Theme: Speaking With the Heart
After reflecting last year on what it means to “listen with the ear of the heart,” we turned to the words of Pope Francis once again for the 2023-2024 year’s Spiritual Theme. Noted during his message for the 57th World Day of Social Communications, 2023, he stated, “It is the heart that spurred us to go, to see and to listen, and it is the heart that moves us towards an open and welcoming way of communicating.”
With these words in mind, the DCDSB community focused on “Speaking With the Heart” in 2023-2024.
In reference to the synodal process and the kind of communication needed in the Church, Pope Francis writes, "listening without prejudice, attentively and openly, gives rise to speaking according to God’s style, nurtured by closeness, compassion and tenderness." This serves as an invitation to reflect on what it means to communicate “according to God's style”, welcoming encounters with others as “heart speaks to heart.”
As we Listen, Learn, and Live in Faith, “Speaking With the Heart” informs communication that “kindles hearts, is the balm on wounds and that shines light on the journey of our brothers and sisters.”
Visit the Our Faith webpage to learn more.
Our Strategic Priorities
Through a comprehensive consultation and engagement process our new multi-year plan, Inspire 2026, was developed and launched at the start of the 2023-2024 school year. As part of this process, we listened and worked with students, staff, family, clergy, parish and community partners to obtain input and feedback on priorities for our system. We also developed new mission, vision and values statements and identified the shared values that would guide us forward in the coming years.
We were guided by the principles of Listening, Learning and Living in Faith, and the following three strategic priorities:
- Support Faith & Well-Being
- Advance Indigenous Education, Human Rights & Equity
- Improve Student Learning
2023-2024 Student Achievement Plan
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) was pleased to present the 2023-2024 Student Achievement Plan. The 2023-2024 Student Achievement Plan was developed in accordance with the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act (2023) and aligned with the following provincial priorities and goals:
Priority 1 - Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Core Academic Skills
- Goal #1(a) – Improve students’ literacy learning and achievement.
- Goal #1(b) – Improve students’ math learning and achievement.
Priority 2 - Preparation of Students for Future Success
Priority 3 - Student Engagement and Well-Being
- Goal #3(a) – Improve students’ participation in class time and learning.
- Goal #3(b) – Improve student well-being.
Visit the 2023-2024 Student Achievement Plan webpage to view the plan and year-end report.
Our Financials
In June 2023, the DCDSB approved a balanced budget of $323.2 million for the 2023-2024 school year. The annual budget is developed by senior staff, under the direction of the Board’s Chief Financial Officer and the Board Finance Committee, which was chaired by Richard Damianopoulos, Trustee for the Townships of Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock. The process involves stakeholder consultation and requires adherence to Ministry of Education priorities and the commitments of the DCDSB’s established multi-year plan. The Board continues to demonstrate fiscal responsibility while ensuring financial support for the mission, vision and strategic priorities of the DCDSB community.
To learn more about our financials, please see the 2023-2024 Budget and Priorities Report.