Open House Information

Registering Your Child for School 

New for the 2025/26 school year 
 
WSD is streamlining the student registration process for all WSD schools for the upcoming 2025/26 academic year. Below are key dates, information and FAQs that are helpful for families. 
 
Key dates 

February 10    Catchment school registration opens for new students. All students must register with their catchment schools first. If your child is returning to their current school, there is no need to register. 

Online Registration opens at 9:00 AM.  

March 3    School of Choice applications open for within-division students and outside-division students. 
 
Online applications open at 9:00 AM.      

May 15    School of Choice applications close. 

Q: What school should my child attend? 
To determine the school that serves your home address, use our Find A School tool.  Search your street name and click on the map to see your child's early, middle or senior years schools, as well as schools your child can attend for WSD language programs. 
 
Q: Can my child take the school bus? 
Students in Nursery through Grade 6, who attend their catchment-area school and live over 1.6 km away, are eligible for WSD transportation. Requests for transportation must be made at the school the child is registered at. Students must be registered first prior to requesting transportation. Transportation is not provided for students in Grade 7 or higher. 
 
Q: Why is it important for my child to attend their catchment area school? 
Attending catchment area schools is beneficial because: 

1. Children can walk or bike to school and stay with neighborhood peers. 

2. It ensures all schools maintain healthy programs and diverse offerings. 

3. It supports small class sizes for better learning environments.  

4. Schools receive funding based on their catchment area. 

5. It helps avoid extra expenses and resource strain. 

Q: Can my child attend a school outside our catchment area? 
Yes, you can apply but acceptance is not guaranteed. It depends on the school’s space and resources. The provincial guidelines prioritize: 
1. Students designated for that school. 
2. Students within the Winnipeg School Division. 
3. Students outside of Winnipeg School Division.  

Q: Can my child visit open houses outside our catchment area? 

Ideally, schools hosting information sessions should only host students from their designated feeder schools within the same catchment area, or those interested in attending for specialty programming. Visiting schools outside the catchment area is not encouraged to ensure proper alignment with divisional policies.  

 
Q: When can I apply for a School of Choice for my child? 
First, all students must register with their catchment schools first BEFORE applying for a School of Choice. Applications for School of Choice are accepted for the next school year between March 3 and May 15. WSD will inform families of application results by the last week of the current school year, at the latest. 

Q: How can I apply for a School of Choice for my child? 
The School of Choice application process is different for students, depending on whether they live in Winnipeg School Division.  

Within-Division Students     
Email a K-12 Within-Division application form to schoolsofchoice@wsd1.org no later than May 15. A printed copy can be dropped off at Superintendent’s Office,     Winnipeg School Division, 1577 Wall Street East no later than May 15.  
                 
Outside-Division Students     
Email a Outside-Division application form to schoolsofchoice@wsd1.org no later than May 15. A printed copy can be dropped off at Superintendent’s Office, Winnipeg School Division, 1577 Wall Street East no later than May 15. Four signed copies of the form are no longer required. 

 
All School of Choice Applications are time-stamped and processed in accordance with provincial guidelines.  

Q: What vocational schools are available in the Winnipeg School Division? 
The division offers two vocational senior years schools: 

1. Tec Voc: For Grades 9-12, providing outstanding vocational and academic programming. 

2. RB Russell: For Grades 9-12, combining excellent vocational programs with rich academics. 

Q: What are the options for alternative senior years programs in the Winnipeg School Division? 
Winnipeg School Division offers: 

1. Argyle Alternative School: For Grades 10-12 with a personalized, project-based approach, supported by Big Picture Learning principles.  

2. Children of the Earth: For Grades 9-12 school focused on Indigenous ways of being, supported by Big Picture Learning principles. 

Q: Are there any specialized language programs other than French for early and middle years students? 

Yes, WSD offers language programs at: 

Brock Corydon: Hebrew Bilingual (K-6) 
Earl Grey: Spanish bilingual (K-8) 
École Stanley Knowles School: Punjabi bilingual (N-8) 
Isaac Brock: Cree and Anishinaabemowin language (N-8) 
Niji Mahkwa: Indigenous cultural and language school (N-8) 
Meadows West: Filipino bilingual (N-8) 
Ralph Brown: Ukranian bilingual (K-8) 
 
Q: What international and sports programs are available for senior years students? 

WSD provides: 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at École Kelvin High School for Grades 10-12. 

Hockey and Softball Academies at Collège Churchill High School for Grades 7-12. 

Q: Are entrance exams required for my child to join specialized programs? 
No, entrance exams are not required for any program. All learners are welcome to register for the program of their choice, such as French Immersion, Vocational, International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), or others. Families are encouraged to review and understand the program's expectations before enrolling.