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Catholic schools are much more than places where prayer and learning come together; they are places where our faith comes to life. We believe that our students and staff are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and we are all children of God.

Students in Catholic schools follow the Ontario curriculum, and everything we do, from teaching core subjects to activities, clubs and teams, is done from a distinctly Catholic perspective.

Catholic school students grow in faith throughout their years in elementary school. They receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion in Grade 2, and Confirmation in Grade 8. During these special years, students work closely with their teachers, parish priests and the Elementary Chaplaincy Leader associated with their school as they prepare for these milestones. An overnight stay at the Board’s Our Lady of Grace Spiritual Centre in Ridgeway for the Journey Retreat program is the culmination of their 10 years of elementary Catholic education as they prepare to move on to Catholic high school.

Students participate in retreats in Grades 9 and 12, and they further develop their faith through liturgies, Sacraments and various social justice initiatives.

Niagara Catholic is blessed to have a close relationship with Bishop Bergie and our parish priests throughout the Diocese of St. Catharines. They are a regular presence in all of our schools, participating far beyond Mass and religious education classes, attending assemblies, celebration and family events.

Parents are a child’s first teachers, and are considered important partners in Catholic education. We encourage parents to join their child’s school’s Catholic School Council, and encourage open lines of communication between home and school.

Catholic education has a rich history in Niagara, dating back more than 160 years. We have 48 Catholic elementary schools and eight Catholic secondary schools serving more than 20,000 students from Smithville in West Niagara, to Fort Erie in the south, and eight Catholic secondary schools.

Niagara Catholic has something to offer all students. In addition to our excellent academic programs, including the AP Program added at Saint Paul Catholic High School and Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School in September 2022, students have many different opportunities for learning. Niagara Catholic has outstanding music and sports programs, and  we offer students interested in technological education the opportunity to explore a variety of career pathways at our one-of-a-kind Niagara Launch Centre in Welland and through a variety of Specialist High Skills Major, Cooperative Education and technology programs at our schools, including culinary arts, communication technology and aesthetics.

Niagara Catholic also has two specialized learning sites: the Saint Kateri Centre for students in our Indigenous community who wish to learn in an alternative setting, and the Pope Francis Centre for students with more complex learning needs.

Niagara residents are truly fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful parts of our great country. The Niagara Region is comprised of 12 municipalities. The approximately 427,000 residents who live in Niagara’s rural and urban centres enjoy a quality of life that is second to none, and are just a short drive away from all of the excitement of the big city.

If you are planning a move to Niagara, or have recently moved here and need to know about our Catholic schools, please use the BusPlanner Web section of the Niagara Student Transportation Services website to find your neighbourhood Catholic elementary or secondary school, and to determine whether your child is eligible for transportation.

If you are new to Canada you may have many questions about how our school system differs from the one you are accustomed to at home. We are here to assist you. If English is not your first language, we have staff able to answer your question in a variety of languages. Our school settlement workers will support your children with their transition to school.

All Roman Catholic children in Ontario have the right to attend a Catholic elementary school. Our Catholic secondary schools are open to students of all faiths who are interested in receiving a Catholic education.

Online registration for our English-language elementary programming is available online to the parents and guardians of all Roman Catholic children in Niagara, and is accessible 24/7. French Immersion registration is available in December for the siblings of current French Immersion students, and in February for new students. Secondary registration is also available online at any time.

Please begin the registration process by clicking the Register a Student link at the top right-hand side of this page, and filling in the online form. Then take the required documents to your local Catholic school at your earliest convenience to complete the registration. Parents and guardians of non-Catholic children who wish to register their child at one of our Catholic elementary schools are invited to contact their designated home school and make an appointment to register their child for school.

We are guided by our Mission, Vision, and Values in all that we do. We encourage you to explore all that Niagara Catholic has to offer your child, and look forward to welcoming your family to the Niagara Catholic family.

Our Mission: We are a Christ-centered Catholic faith community that celebrates diversity and fosters spiritual growth, inspiring all to reach their full potential in mind, body, and spirit.

Our Vision: Encountering souls and opening minds so that all students succeed.

Our Values: Accountability, Community, Compassion, Faithfulness, Integrity, Justice, and Stewardship

We live by our Mission, Vision, and Values to  as together we live our motto, Encountering souls and opening minds so that all students succeed.