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As Executive Director, I would like to welcome you to the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch (PDSB). In partnership with students, their families, district school boards and communities across Ontario, we are committed to supporting students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, deafblind or who have a severe learning disability, to develop to their full potential and succeed in school.

The provincial and demonstration schools offer the Ontario curriculum at the elementary and secondary levels as well as specialized integrated programming. Provincial and demonstration schools are valued as providing individualized education with appropriate resources, giving students the opportunity to fully participate in the total school experience including sports, music, recreational and leadership opportunities.

The Provincials Schools for the Deaf, Ernest C. Drury, Robarts, Sir James Whitney and Centre Jules-Léger provide instruction for students from kindergarten to grade 12. The schools provide bilingual-biliteracy school and residence programs which facilitate students’ language acquisition, learning and social development through American Sign Language (ASL) and English or langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) and French.

The Provincial School for the Blind, W. Ross Macdonald, provides specialized programs for students from kindergarten to grade 12 who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind. Programming includes all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum such as direct orientation and mobility supports and braille instruction in an inclusive, accessible environment.

The Demonstration Schools provide a one year residential school program for students diagnosed with a severe learning disability. Students are accepted for one year with a possibility for a second year in certain program areas.

Our Resource Services and Outreach program has grown quite significantly in recent years as the request for preschool home visiting and support to district school boards has increased. The Resource Services department provides preschool services for children who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired or deafblind and their families, and teacher training and consultation services to English and French language district school boards. We greatly value these strong ties with families and schools in meeting the needs of our students.

Another source of pride for Provincial Schools is our Alternate Educational Resources of Ontario (AERO) initiative. Through AERO, we provide learning materials and media in accessible formats including Braille, digital audio, PDF and other options to ensure students across Ontario can access appropriate learning materials.

Each school year holds the promise of future growth within a positive and supportive learning environment that shows appreciation and respect for the culture and history of our schools and programs. We embrace the abilities of our students and staff to contribute to a collective responsibility for success.

Dr. June Rogers
Executive Director
Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch