WECDSB

What WECDSB does

Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) is a publicly funded Catholic school board operating under Ontario's Education Act, delivering Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 education across a network of elementary, middle, and secondary schools spanning Windsor, LaSalle, Lakeshore, Amherstburg, Essex, Leamington, and surrounding communities in Ontario, Canada. Its service base includes resident Catholic students across the JK–12 continuum, ESL learners at all ages, students with special needs, and paying international students recruited through its International Education program, with parents and families engaged via the Parent Involvement Committee and Parent Portal.

WECDSB's product surface is anchored by a distinctive Catholic identity: the proprietary Journey to Holiness curriculum threads grade-specific virtues and Catholic Graduate Expectations through every grade level. This sits alongside differentiated academic and specialty programs — STEM Academies at four secondary schools, the International Baccalaureate program, French Immersion, Sports Academies (Baseball, Basketball, Dance, Hockey, Soccer), the St. Anne Catholic Skilled Trades Academy & Learning Centre, the Muskoka Woods leadership experience, e-Learning via D2L Brightspace, and Summer School at Catholic Central High School. Student support is organized as a three-tier mental-health model (universal promotion, board-level early intervention, crisis response), with delivery reinforced by an extensive community health and law-enforcement partnership network led by Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare and including Maryvale, Kids Help Phone, and the Windsor Police Service.

WECDSB's revenue mechanics are dominated by provincial Grants for Student Needs funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education, supplemented by International Student tuition, unit-priced Sports Academy fees ($260–$640 per program per year), Community Use of Schools facility rentals, and ancillary summer school and credit recovery fees. The board is governed by elected trustees, overseen by a Director of Education, and operates a distributed school-based delivery model with student transportation provided by Sharp Buslines and Switzer-Carty. Technology infrastructure — D2L Brightspace, Aspen SIS, Google Workspace, School Cash Online, and a student Chromebook Initiative — supports instruction, administration, and family-facing services.

Name

WECDSB

Legal name

Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board

Website

https://wecdsb.on.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) is a publicly funded Ontario Catholic school board operating elementary and secondary schools across Windsor-Essex County, delivering JK-12 faith-integrated education, specialty programs (STEM, IB, Sports Academies, Skilled Trades), and tiered student support services to resident and international students and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Catholic Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Catholic K-12 education
• Elementary school programs
• Secondary school programs
• Special education services
• Student mental health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

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, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Provincial Education Funding (Grants for Student Needs): The primary revenue source for WECDSB is provincial funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education, distributed through the Grants for Student Needs (GSN) funding formula. This covers teacher salaries, operational costs, and educational programs.
2. International Student Tuition and Fees: The International Education program charges tuition and fees to international (non-resident) students studying at WECDSB schools, with published fees and refund policies.
3. Community Use of Schools: Schools and facilities are made available for community use (rentals, events, after-hours programs), generating facility rental revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WECDSB operates a network of publicly funded Catholic elementary and secondary schools delivering Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 education across Windsor-Essex County, Ontario. The board provides the Ontario curriculum integrated with Catholic faith formation through its Journey to Holiness virtue-based program, and offers specialized programs including STEM Academies, Sports Academies, International Baccalaureate, French Immersion, Skilled Trades, e-Learning, and Summer School. Student support services include a three-tiered Mental Health & Well-Being model, Special Education, equity programming, and the Muskoka Woods outdoor leadership experience.

Product overview

The Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB) operates a network of Catholic elementary and secondary schools providing comprehensive educational programs and services. The board offers a diverse portfolio of academic and specialized programs including STEM Academies at four high schools, Sports Academies (Baseball, Basketball, Dance, Hockey, Soccer), International Baccalaureate, French Immersion, Skilled Trades programs, and e-Learning via D2L Brightspace. Student support services include Mental Health & Well-Being with tiered support levels, Special Education, and the Journey to Holiness faith formation program. Additional offerings include Summer School, International Education for foreign students, and the Muskoka Woods outdoor leadership experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STEM Academies STEM-focused academic programs offered at four Catholic secondary schools (F.J. Brennan, Holy Names, St. Anne, St. Thomas of Villanova) providing integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum through hands-on projects and real-world applications; includes STEM Career Exploration visits to St. Clair College and University of Windsor.
• Sports Academies
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
• French Immersion
• e-Learning
• Summer School
• Skilled Trades Sector
• International Education
• Special Education
• Mental Health & Well-Being Services
• Muskoka Woods Experience
• Journey to Holiness Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Students shine on EQAO assessments — board news reports positive student outcomes on provincial EQAO testing.
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Essex County Diversion ProgramminorOthersA community diversion program partner supporting the WECDSB Safe Schools strategy. It provides alternative-to-court interventions for youth in the Windsor-Essex area.
• New Beginnings - WindsorminorOthersA community support organization partnered with WECDSB's Safe Schools initiative to provide services to students and families in Windsor.
• Windsor Police ServicecoreOthersA key Safe Schools partner operating under the Police School Protocol for Windsor-Essex County. Windsor Police work with WECDSB's Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) teams at each school, and support the board's overall safe schools strategy including the climate survey and student safety programs.
• Family FuseminorOthersA community family support organization partnering with WECDSB's Safe Schools community partnerships to provide resources and services to students and families.
• Maryvale - WindsorcoreOthersMaryvale Adolescent and Family Services is a key mental health partner for WECDSB students aged 13-17. It provides counselling services, a Youth Call-In Single Session Phone Service (519-419-1397), and parenting support through the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program). Maryvale also provides a Parent Support Call-In Service (519-419-1949) for parents/caregivers of youth ages 13-17.
• Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHotel Dieu Grace Healthcare is the lead mental health agency for children and youth in Windsor-Essex County. HDGH leads a collaborative of five key service providers delivering mental health services to WECDSB students: Children First (ages 0-6), HDGH Regional Children's Centre (ages 6-12), Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services (ages 13-17), Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex (ages 0-18), and WeCHC Teen Health Centre (ages 12-24). HDGH also operates the 24-hour crisis line (519-973-4435).
• Children First (HDGH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the HDGH collaborative, provides services for families with children up to six years of age who are at risk for or experiencing mental health challenges or developmental concerns.
• HDGH Regional Children's CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the HDGH collaborative, provides crisis services to children and youth up to age 16, outpatient counselling and therapy (6-12 years), walk-in counselling clinic (up to 18 years), assessment and consultation (6-17 years), intensive day treatment and residential treatment (6-12 years).
• Family Respite Services Windsor-EssexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the HDGH collaborative, offers short-break (respite) care for families caring for individuals under age 18 who have physical, intellectual or mental health challenges. Contact: 519-972-9688.
• WeCHC Teen Health CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the HDGH collaborative, provides free and confidential counselling support (12-24), primary medical care services (12-24), addictions counselling (12-17), eating disorder support (12-24) in partnership with BANA. Located at 1361 Ouellette Avenue, Unit 101, Windsor. Call 519-253-8481.
• WEConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA navigation service for young people up to age 18 (or loved ones of a child/youth) struggling with mental health and/or addiction in Windsor-Essex. WEConnect helps connect individuals to appropriate care — free and confidential for children, youth, and families.
• One Stop TalkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides children, youth (18 years and under) and their families immediate access to free mental health support with single session counselling and direct referrals to other services when needed. Website: onestoptalk.ca.
• Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor-Essex County (CMHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMHA Windsor-Essex County provides 24/7 Community Crisis Services (519-973-4435) and operates the Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Care Centre (MHUACC) at 744 Ouellette Ave, Windsor (Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, phone: 519-257-5111 ext. 77968). The MHUACC is a central access point for adults or youth aged 16+ experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis.
• Family Services Windsor-EssexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides individual counselling, walk-in counselling clinic, and group counselling. Walk-in counselling available in Windsor (1770 Langlois Ave) on Tuesdays 12-8 PM and Fridays 9 AM-5 PM, and in Harrow (1480 Erie Rd S) on Tuesdays 3:30-7:30 PM. Call 519-966-5010 or schedule online at fswc.ca.
• Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-EssexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated at 215 Eugenie St West, Unit 106, Windsor (main entrance at Ouellette Place lot, 2558 Dougall Ave). Call 519-800-8640. Hours: Monday-Friday 1-7 PM. Also serves Leamington (Bridge Youth Resource Centre, 310 Sherk Street) and Amherstburg (The House Youth Centre, 320 Richmond St., Unit #400).
• Kids Help PhonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides professional counselling, information, referrals, and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people up to age 20 in both English and French. Website: kidshelpphone.ca.
• WECSSAA (Windsor-Essex County Secondary School Athletic Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe athletic governing body for WECDSB secondary school sports. WECDSB schools compete in WECSSAA-organized sports leagues and championships. The board's Sports Academies feed into WECSSAA athletic programs.
• Development and PeaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment and Peace is an international Catholic social justice organization. WECDSB launched the Development and Peace Schools Program, which challenges students to put faith into action through global and social justice initiatives, including 20 global justice challenges such as fasting, fundraising, petitions, and advocacy — earning badges for their engagement.
• School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMHO collaborates with Ontario school boards, including WECDSB, to support student mental health. SMHO provides a student-facing website with tools and supports, parent webinar series, and resources for topics including 2S/LGBTQIA+ support, stress management, self-care, and peer influence management.
• Sharp BuslinesminorOthersStudent transportation provider for WECDSB students. Sharp Buslines can be reached at (519) 736-0933.
• Switzer-CartyminorOthersStudent transportation provider for WECDSB students. Switzer-Carty can be reached at (519) 326-2607.
• Muskoka Woods ResortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuskoka Woods Resort (located on over 1,000 acres and 2,800 feet of shoreline on Lake Rosseau in the Muskoka Lakes Region) partners with WECDSB to deliver the Muskoka Woods Experience — a Grade 8 and high school leadership program running since 1994. The experience combines faith-based outdoor activities including High Ropes, Giant Swing, Zipline, Archery, Team Building Games, and Nature Hikes.
• St. Clair CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWECDSB's STEM Academy students participate in Manufacturing Day and visit St. Clair College as part of STEM Career Exploration activities.
• University of WindsorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWECDSB's STEM Academy students visit the University of Windsor as part of STEM Career Exploration activities.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board: Southwestern Ontario Catholic school board with the same publicly funded JK-12 mandate under the Education Act. Direct comparator on governance, funding, and faith-based curriculum.
• London District Catholic School Board: Catholic school board serving Middlesex County under the same Ontario regulatory and funding framework. Directly comparable in mandate, K-12 scope, and faith-based programming.
• York Catholic District School Board: Catholic school board serving York Region. Comparable in that it delivers faith-integrated K-12 education, offers IB and specialty programs, and operates within the same Ontario regulatory and funding regime.
• Toronto Catholic District School Board: The largest English-language Catholic school board in Ontario. Same operating model (publicly funded Catholic K-12 under the Education Act), same GSN funding formula, same faith-based curriculum framing — directly comparable as the largest example of WECDSB's institutional archetype.
• Halton Catholic District School Board: Catholic school board serving Halton Region with the same Ontario funding and regulatory regime. Comparable in delivering faith-based JK-12 education with specialty programming.
• St. Clair Catholic District School Board: Neighboring southwestern Ontario Catholic school board serving Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton. Closest geographic peer to WECDSB; same provincial funding formula and faith-based operating model with smaller scale.
• Ottawa Catholic School Board: Eastern Ontario Catholic school board operating K-12 schools under the same GSN and Education Act framework. Comparable mandate, governance, and faith-formation programming.
• Waterloo Catholic District School Board: Catholic school board serving Waterloo Region under the same Ontario GSN regime. Comparable operating model, JK-12 scope, and faith-formation approach.
• Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board: Another large Ontario Catholic school board operating JK-12 schools under the same GSN framework. Highly comparable in mandate, governance structure, and reliance on Catholic-ratepayer property-tax base.

Regional players

• Greater Essex County District School Board: Public secular school board serving the same Windsor-Essex County geography. Closest geographic peer to WECDSB; direct competitor for student enrolment but without the Catholic identity or faith-based curriculum.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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 WECDSB