A Message from the
Director of Education
Scott Miller
Looking back at the 2024-2025 school year, I see so much that we have to be proud of when it comes to the academic achievement and well-being of Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) students. The Annual Report is an opportunity to share a selection of highlights that help to bring the strategies of the Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP) to life. Throughout our school board, we are seeing student academic success, well-being and belonging in all WRDSB schools.
I appreciate the collective contributions of staff, students, parents, families and caregivers throughout the WRDSB to provide opportunities for students to explore their future pathways. At every school, in every classroom and workplace I see a consistent focus on supporting students by creating opportunities for them to experience success at all stages in their learning journeys. Students know that at their school, there are staff who see them and are committed to supporting their success.
Promoting Student Success
As a learning organization, we rely on a range of data points to help us understand how we can better support students in reaching their goals in learning. At the WRDSB, we are encouraged by results that show that more students are encountering success in their learning thanks to our comprehensive plans and strategies in support of literacy and numeracy.
The WRDSB Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan (SLMYP) demonstrates the evolution of our work to help all students learn to read and write. This work began ahead of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read Report, but was bolstered by the understanding that literacy is a fundamental human right. The SLMYP offers literacy instruction that is aligned with recommendations from the Right to Read Report, Ministry direction and the Ontario Language Curriculum.
In 2024-2025, I had the privilege of visiting a number of WRDSB schools, and saw teachers embracing the structured literacy approach to teaching reading and writing. The resources and strategies made available as part of the SLMYP are being used by students and staff, as we work to ensure that every student has access to the learning opportunities they need to see their reading and writing skills grow.
Building Relationships and Belonging
We remain focused on working to make our schools and workplaces ones where every student and staff member feels that they belong and can rely on relationships with people they know are invested in their success. Importantly, we know that the well-being of our students and staff has a direct connection to academic achievement. We work together with students, parents, families and caregivers to make our schools and classrooms places where every student knows they will be supported in finding success on their learning journey.
Each year, students from secondary schools throughout our school board come together for a day of collaboration and learning about mental health and well-being at the Student Wellness Conference. These student leaders then bring their learning and ideas back to their schools with them, to help extend the impact of this event throughout the WRDSB.
We know that parents, families and caregivers are important partners in supporting students. With this in mind, throughout the school year expert staff from the WRDSB psychology department offer virtual lunch and learn sessions on a range of topics designed to help support mental health and well-being.
We support all students, staff, parents, families and caregivers in feeling a sense of belonging, by demonstrating an understanding of the celebrations and recognitions that are important to them. Throughout the school year, staff are supported in understanding and marking religious and creed-based dates of importance, and these help to guide them when planning special events, trips, tests or evaluations.
A System Designed for Student Success
Throughout the WRDSB, our efforts continue to make our school board one that is built with student success in mind. This includes numerous projects led by Facility Services at schools to make changes to the physical environments to help ensure that students have access to the latest technology, and that schools can be enjoyed by all members of the school community.
The environmental sustainability of our school board remains a key focus, reinforced by what we hear from students about what matters to them. Our partnership with Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR) continued to bring new microforests to WRDSB schools, creating new outdoor educational spaces and learning opportunities for students and educators. In June 2025, we were honoured to be recognized by SWR with the Roots and Shoots Award for this collaboration that has brought microforests to 22 schools across our board, so far.
Students and staff were recognized by EcoSchools for their efforts in support to nurture student leaders; reduce the environmental impact of schools; and build sustainable school communities. WRDSB schools have been participating in EcoSchools since 2008, and we’ve grown to 19 certified schools in 2025, supported by the Sustainability Steering Team.
In May 2025, we broke ground at the future location of the New Cambridge Joint Elementary School in Cambridge, joined by Minister of Education Paul Calandra, representatives from the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), the Region of Waterloo, City of Cambridge, and YWCA Cambridge. I look forward to welcoming students to the WRDSB’s new elementary school and childcare space when the school opens in September 2026.
Thanks to the generous support of so many throughout the WRDSB community, the Waterloo Education Foundation Inc. (WEFI) was able to donate $50,000 to help address food insecurity, and ensure that all students had access to warm clothing during the winter season. By supporting our partners at Food4Kids Waterloo Region, the May Court Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, Nutrition for Learning and the WEFI Winter Wear program, we helped to reduce barriers to academic achievement and well-being.
The WRDSB has so much to be proud of as we look back at all we accomplished together in 2024-25, and I look forward to continuing to foster improved student achievement and well-being, through community connections in 2025-26.
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Sincerely,
Scott Miller
Director of Education