Whitby Meadows Public School and Heartwood Public School gives local students and teachers the modern learning space they need to succeed
NEWS August 20, 2026
WHITBY – The Ontario government is delivering on its plan to protect Ontario by opening the new Whitby Meadows Public School and Heartwood Public School for the 2026-27 school year. These projects are part of 35 new and expanded schools opening across Ontario this fall to give students the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers. The government is investing $30 billion over its 10-year plan to build, expand and renew schools across Ontario.
Today, Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby, announced that the province provided Durham District School Board with $54.8 million to build the two new schools in Whitby. These projects deliver 1268 elementary spaces and 49 licensed child care spaces for local families for the 2026-27 school year.
“This new Whitby Meadows Public School and Heartwood Public School is a significant investment in students and families in Whitby,” said Lorne Coe, MPP Whitby, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security. “We’re making sure students have modern, high-quality learning environments, and I’m excited to see these schools welcome students this fall.”
For the 2026-27 school year, Ontario is providing record education funding of $30.6 billion while making changes to strengthen student achievement and deliver more consistent learning experiences across the province. Students and teachers will return to updated curriculum, new classroom resources and stronger supports, including new tools to support financial literacy and math, direct funding for elementary homeroom teachers to purchase classroom supplies, and clearer expectations around attendance and assessment.
“As students head back to school, our focus is on giving every student the opportunity to succeed,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “That means giving teachers the
tools and resources they need, investing in modern schools, and making sure every dollar we invest in education is driving stronger student achievement.”
Whitby Meadows Public School is located at 470 Coronation Road in Whitby.
· $30.5 million
· 634 pupil places
· 49 licensed child care spaces
Heartwood Public School is located at 1 Limoges Street in Whitby.
· $24.4 million
· 634 student spaces
· expected opening – mid October 2026
Quick Facts:
· The Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, brings greater accountability, consistency and modernization to Ontario’s education system through new and enhanced measures to further support student success. It also provides the Ministry of Education with stronger tools to intervene in the capital planning process when boards are unable to deliver projects in the best interests of students and educators.
· The government is investing $1.3 billion annually to support new school buildings, school expansions and renovations across the province in each of the past three years, the highest level of school capital funding in Ontario’s history.
· Since 2018, Ontario has invested more than $7.6 billion for major capital projects, including 209 new schools, 161 permanent additions or renovations to existing school buildings and created more than 150,000 new student spaces and more than 11,000 new licensed child care spaces.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Eric Hutchins
Office Manager
Lorne Coe
MPP Whitby
Lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org
905-430-1141