Upper Canada District School Board

What Upper Canada District School Board does

Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is a publicly funded K-12 school board operating 77 schools across Lanark, Leeds-Grenville, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, and Prescott-Russell counties in Eastern Ontario, serving approximately 27,900 students with a staff of around 4,200. The board delivers the standard Ontario public education curriculum augmented by specialized programs including the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) covering 12 sectors, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), co-operative education, Indigenous leadership programming (iLead), French instruction, and an International Education program delivered in partnership with the Canada Homestay Network.

The board's technology stack centers on the MyUCDSB student portal, the UCDSB Virtual Learning Commons, an online learning platform for summer and co-op courses, the SchoolMessenger communications platform, and Microsoft Office 365, with Knowledgehook used to power district-wide math gameshows. Capital infrastructure is actively expanding, with a $92.9 million capital budget for 2026-27 funding projects including a $28 million new elementary school in Augusta/Prescott and an $18.2 million addition to Cambridge Public School.

UCDSB's business model is that of a government entity rather than a commercial enterprise: it does not charge tuition to eligible Ontario residents, and its revenue is derived almost entirely from provincial operating and capital grants administered by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The 2026-27 operating budget stands at $473.1 million CAD against expenses of $472.7 million, producing a modest surplus. Governance is provided by elected trustees and oversight by a CEO and senior leadership team, with no private ownership, parent company, or subsidiaries. The board additionally manages supplementary programs such as the Champions for Kids Foundation, mental health and well-being services, the All-In Sports Initiative, and before/after-school childcare spaces.

Name

Upper Canada District School Board

Legal name

Upper Canada District School Board

Website

https://ucdsb.on.ca

Company type

Public

Founded year

1800

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Upper Canada District School Board is a publicly funded K-12 school board operating 77 schools across Eastern Ontario, serving approximately 27,900 students with around 4,200 staff and a 2026-27 operating budget of $473.1 million CAD financed by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

Keywords

• K-12 public education
• School district services
• Specialist high skills major
• Indigenous education programs
• Co-operative education apprenticeships

Headquarters

HQ city

Brockville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Publicly funded school board receiving operating and capital funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education. Operating budget of $473.1 million with expenses of $472.7 million resulting in modest surplus. Capital budget of $92.9 million for major projects and school upgrades.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Upper Canada District School Board provides publicly funded K-12 education to approximately 27,900 students across 77 elementary and secondary schools in Eastern Ontario. Its core offering spans the full curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 12, supplemented by specialized programs including Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in 12 sectors, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Co-operative Education, Indigenous leadership programs, International Education, and digital learning platforms such as the MyUCDSB Portal and Virtual Learning Commons.

Product overview

Upper Canada District School Board is a public education organization comprising 77 schools with approximately 4,200 staff educating around 27,900 students. The district offers a comprehensive educational platform spanning elementary and secondary schools across Lanark, Leeds-Grenville, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, and Prescott-Russell counties. The product portfolio includes digital learning infrastructure (MyUCDSB Portal, UCDSB Virtual Learning Commons, Online Learning Program), specialized academic programs (Specialist High Skills Major with 12 sectors, iLead Indigenous Leadership Program), student support services (Mental Health and Well-Being, Champions for Kids Foundation), extracurricular programs (All-In Sports Initiative), career-focused pathways (Co-operative Education, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program), and international education services. The board also invests heavily in facility infrastructure including new school construction and major additions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UCDSB Virtual Learning Commons Digital learning resource center providing educational content, resources, and Indigenous education materials for students and staff throughout the school year.
• MyUCDSB Portal Student technology portal providing access to email support, Microsoft Office 365, Homework Help, device setup guides (iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows), and AI Guidance for Staff and Students resources.
• Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Specialized programs for secondary students offering sector-specific training in 12 areas including Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Business, Construction, Health & Wellness, Hospitality & Tourism, Information and Communications Technology, Justice/Safety/Emergency Services, Manufacturing, Non-profit, Sports, and Transportation.
• Co-operative Education Work-integrated learning program including Cadet Co-Op option, allowing students to earn credits through workplace experiences and apprenticeships.
• Online Learning Program Digital learning opportunities for K-12 students including summer semester online courses and co-operative education options.
• iLead Indigenous Leadership Program Leadership and learning experiences from cultural advisors for self-identified Indigenous students and allies. Includes the Interdisciplinary Studies in Indigenous Leadership (IDC) course through TR Leger School.
• All-In Sports Initiative Inclusive extracurricular and physical activity program with $500,000 expanded funding to increase access to sports for students.
• Mental Health and Well-Being Services District-wide mental health support including Character Always program, community supports, mental health programs, and social-emotional learning resources for students and families.
• International Education Program Programs for international students including homestay services through Canada Homestay Network, with enrollment at various UCDSB secondary schools.
• UCDSB Math Gameshow Virtual board-wide math competition event that brings classrooms together to tackle challenging math questions. Uses Knowledgehook platform and has featured student-created math stickers and t-shirts as prizes.
• Summer Learning Program Summer semester options including online courses and co-operative education placements for elementary and secondary students.
• Champions for Kids Foundation Charitable foundation supporting UCDSB students through various initiatives and community partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved EQAO math scores with 24% increase at Iroquois Public School
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Royal Canadian Legion Branch 297coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Partnership with Eamer's Corners Public School for Veteran Crosswalk project. Legion provided guidance and support for student learning about military history and remembrance.
• Champions for Kids FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable foundation supporting UCDSB students through additional funding and resources for educational programs, student activities, and school initiatives.
• Canada Homestay NetworkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides homestay services for international students enrolled in UCDSB schools, ensuring safe and supportive living arrangements during their education in Canada.
• City of CornwallmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership for community initiatives including Veteran Crosswalk, providing funding and support for student-led community projects.
• Municipality of AugustamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership for new school development. Land near Alaine Chartrand Community Centre in Prescott owned by Augusta Township.
• Town of PrescottmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership for new school development serving Prescott and Augusta areas.
• Cornwall Rotary ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner contributing to veteran initiatives and student-led community projects.
• Elder Thomas LouttitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential school survivor providing sweat lodge teachings and Indigenous cultural education to students at Gananoque Secondary School and other UCDSB schools.
• Inuit Cultural Advisors (Heidi Metcalfe, Cedric Autut, Sierra Conboy, Eli Langille)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInuit cultural advisors providing Inuit culture, traditions, and lived experience education through iLead program sessions.
• Christian Pilon (Indigenous Canoe and Paddle Builder)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMétis paddle builder who guided Carleton Place High School students in Voyageur-style paddle building project, teaching Métis culture and craftsmanship.
• Indigenous Education Cultural AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides ongoing Indigenous education support, teachings, mentorship, and community connection across UCDSB schools.
• KnowledgehookmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational technology platform provider for UCDSB Math Gameshow and math education initiatives. Plans to incorporate student math merchandise designs into their worldwide materials.
• Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring Safe and Inclusive Schools and Communities Book Packs to schools.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board: Neighboring Ontario public school district serving Ottawa region. Operates under the same provincial funding framework and serves similar K-12 public education mandate across a comparable Eastern Ontario geography.
• Limestone District School Board: Adjacent public school district covering Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington areas. Comparable in size, funding source, and rural/Eastern Ontario operating context.
• Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario: Parallel publicly funded school system serving the same Eastern Ontario geographic region with a separate Catholic mandate. Mirrors UCDSB's funding model and operational structure.
• Renfrew County District School Board: Neighboring Ontario public school district covering Renfrew County. Shares Eastern Ontario rural geography and provincial funding mechanism.
• Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario: French-language public school board serving the same Eastern Ontario region as UCDSB. A direct geographic and operational peer under Ontario's separate French public-school system.

Broad incumbents

• Toronto District School Board: Largest public school board in Canada, operating under the same Ontario Ministry of Education framework as UCDSB with substantially greater scale and urban diversity.
• Peel District School Board: Large Ontario public school district serving the Peel region. Comparable governance, funding model, and K-12 public education mandate to UCDSB but at much greater scale.
• York Region District School Board: Ontario public school board operating one of the largest K-12 networks in the province. Similar legislative funding and operational framework, but serves a rapidly growing suburban demographic.
• Durham District School Board: Ontario public school district east of Toronto. Operates under the same Ministry funding and governance framework with comparable program offerings including SHSM and OYAP pathways.

Others

• Knowledgehook: Ed-tech vendor partnered with UCDSB to power the board-wide Math Gameshow. Included as an adjacent ecosystem participant to illustrate UCDSB's technology integration layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UpperCanadaDSB
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCDSB
• Xx.com/UCDSB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upper-canada-district-school-board

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Upper Canada District School Board