A Development Area (DA) is a geographically defined area, typically inclusive of future or proposed growth and development, removed from an existing school boundary and assigned to a Holding School as an interim measure for student accommodation. 

• DAs are established where local schools are either out of space or experiencing other site pressures that make them unable to handle enrolment growth. 
• DAs were created to provide flexibility to the board to address enrolment growth because there is a significant misalignment between the funding of new schools and the pace of housing construction within the Region. 
• DAs are intended to be temporary but as a result of ongoing pressure at many of our sites have persisted for a students entire career in a given community in some cases. 

A Holding School is a temporary school assignment.  To be considered a Holding School, the school must have:

• enough classrooms for the projected enrolment and/or
• space and servicing capacity (electrical, washrooms, etc.) for portable classrooms
• enough library, gym, hallway, specialized classroom spaces, etc. 
• space for buses
• few capital expenses to house increased enrolment

• Transportation is provided in accordance with WRDSB Administrative Procedure based on distance.

• To view a map that includes school boundaries and Development areas, visit our website.

• Development Areas are subject to WRDSB Administrative Procedure 4992 and include consultation when there are changes
• Development Areas are reviewed annually and reported to the Board of Trustees