Durham & Northumberland Schools: A Clear Guide for Home Buyers

Durham & Northumberland Schools: A Clear Guide for Home Buyers

If you’re buying a home in Durham Region or Northumberland County, schools are often part of the decision.

Most families start with rankings.

But before comparing scores, it helps to understand how the systems are structured — and how growth is shaping what schools look like today.

This guide focuses on public and Catholic school boards. There are also private school options in both regions, but we’re not comparing those here.

Let’s start with the basics.

The School Boards in Each Region

In Durham Region, families typically choose between:

• Durham District School Board (public)
• Durham Catholic District School Board (Catholic)

In Northumberland County, schools fall under:

• Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (public)
• Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (Catholic)

Durham has a significantly larger population, which means more schools overall and more secondary options.

Northumberland has fewer schools, smaller populations per school, and wider geographic catchment areas.

Approximate School Counts

(These numbers are rounded for clarity and may shift slightly year to year.)

Durham Region

Durham District School Board (Public)
• ~110 elementary schools
• ~20 secondary schools

Durham Catholic District School Board
• ~40 elementary schools
• ~7 secondary schools

Northumberland County

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (Public)
• ~30 elementary schools across its jurisdiction
• ~7 secondary schools
(Note: Only a portion of these are located directly within Northumberland County.)

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board
• ~30 elementary schools across its jurisdiction
• ~6 secondary schools
(Again, only some are located in Northumberland proper.)

Because Northumberland boards serve multiple counties, school density within Northumberland itself is lower than in Durham.

Simple Comparison Snapshot

	Durham Region	Northumberland County
Population Size	Larger	Smaller
Total Schools	More overall	Fewer overall
Secondary Options	More choice	Limited but available
School Density	Higher	More spread out
Bus Routes	Shorter urban routes	Longer rural routes
Growth Pressure	High in many areas	Moderate but steady

Neither region is “better.”

They simply operate differently.

What Rankings Actually Measure

Most families check:

• EQAO results from the Education Quality and Accountability Office
• Fraser Institute rankings from the Fraser Institute

These tools measure academic testing performance.

They compare reading, writing and math results across Ontario.

They are useful for spotting trends.

But they do not measure:

• Class sizes
• Portables
• Leadership stability
• Boundary adjustments
• French Immersion demand
• Commute time
• Community feel

That’s why many parents go deeper than rankings.

Growth and New School Planning

Durham Region is experiencing significant growth in areas like North Oshawa, Brooklin, Bowmanville and Newcastle.

The Durham District School Board has outlined plans to open multiple new schools by 2028 to accommodate expanding neighbourhoods. Accommodation planning documents are publicly available and updated regularly.

In Northumberland, the Kawartha Pine Ridge board is also conducting long-term accommodation planning through its 2025 review process.

New housing developments directly influence:

• Where new schools are built
• Whether portables are added
• How boundaries are reviewed
• Program distribution

School planning follows population growth.

If you’ve read my recent blog on what’s happening in North Oshawa, you can see how closely housing expansion and school planning are connected.

Boundaries and Accommodation Reviews

School boundaries are reviewed regularly — especially in high-growth areas.

Boards conduct accommodation reviews when:

• Student populations increase
• New subdivisions are built
• New schools open
• Existing schools reach capacity

A home assigned to one school today may be reassigned if boundaries shift.

It’s always important to confirm school placement directly with the board before purchasing.

Class Size and Daily Experience

Across Ontario, there has been increased conversation about classroom sizes and reporting transparency.

Parents consistently ask about:

• How many students are in a classroom
• Whether portables are being added
• Stability in teaching staff
• Overall school atmosphere

These are practical, day-to-day concerns that rankings do not capture.

French Immersion and Program Access

French Immersion is not available at every school.

Availability depends on:

• The board
• The school
• Entry grade
• Capacity

Two homes a short distance apart may not offer the same program access.

If French Immersion is important to your family, it should be part of your housing strategy from the beginning.

Choosing a home is not just about square footage or price.

It’s about daily routines, long-term growth, and the environment your family will be part of.

If you’re weighing Durham against Northumberland and want help understanding how schools factor into the decision, I’m happy to walk you through it.

Want to understand how housing growth is changing neighbourhoods like North Oshawa? Read: What’s Really Going On in North Oshawa

Best Places to Buy Your First Home — If you’re planning your first move, this guide breaks down great entry-level communities across the region, including lifestyle factors that go beyond price and rankings.