Layers of Support for Every Student
Student success doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of a system designed to wrap around every learner with care. At the DDSB, that system is built on many interconnected layers, each working together to ensure students feel supported, included, and empowered.
Governance and Leadership
At the foundation are strong governance structures that guide our vision and priorities. Our trustees and senior leadership help set the course, with decision-making and policies that reflect our commitment to student well-being and achievement.
Specialized Expertise
Beyond the classroom, teams of specialists provide targeted support. Our Human Rights and Anti-Oppression teams champion inclusive practices, but they are not alone in this work. Indigenous Education staff work alongside communities to embed culture and identity in learning. Facilitators, clinicians, and program leads bring deep knowledge to help schools meet diverse needs and build strategies to approach challenges.
Community Connections
We know schools thrive when families and communities are engaged partners. School Community Councils (SCCs), the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), and Indigenous partners amplify family voices. Community organizations like Durham Region Health and Grandview Kids extend care beyond school walls, creating a network of resources that strengthen student success.
Innovative Programming
For students seeking alternative pathways, programs like Durham Alternative Secondary School and Centres for Success offer flexible, personalized learning environments, aligning with and meaningfully bringing to life 30 Credits My Way, meeting students where they are and helping them reach their goals.
In-School Supports
Every day, dedicated staff in schools make this vision real. Educators, Special Education Resource Teachers (SERT), Educational Assistants (EA), Dedicated Early Childhood Educators (DECE), Clinicians including members of Speech Language and Hearing Services, Social Work Services and Psychological Services teams, American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters and Intervenors, Language Acquisition Support Workers, Instructional Facilitators, Transition and Work Experience Coordinators, Youth Liaison Workers, Child and Youth Workers, Mental Health Leads and Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and more work side by side to provide academic, social, and emotional support for all students. Their collaboration ensures that no student is left behind.
At the heart of it all are students, each with unique strengths, dreams, and challenges. Our layered approach means every student has a circle of care around them, ready to listen, respond, and help them thrive.