The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is proud to unveil the name of our newest elementary school.
Introducing Willow River Public School
The name Willow River Public School reflects the area's deeply rooted natural and cultural connections to the Grand River watershed. O:se Kenhionhata:tie is the Mohawk name for the Grand River and means "Willow River," referring to the many willow trees along the river.
Opening in September 2025, Willow River Public School is located at 670 Thomas Slee Drive in the growing Southwest Kitchener community. The school will accommodate 591 students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. This modern facility will be a hub not only for students and families, but also for the broader community it serves. It also includes a child care centre.
At a Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Trustees approved the name recommended by the Naming Committee. The committee, which included Trustees, staff and community members, carefully reviewed over 300 name submissions during our Name Our New Kitchener Elementary School community engagement campaign. After narrowing the list down to a top 10 options, additional input helped guide the selection of the final three, from which the name Willow River Public School was chosen.
The naming process follows Board Policy 4020 - Naming and Renaming of Board Facilities.
Carol Coyle, principal of Willow River PS, shares her excitement for the many learning opportunities this name brings to its students, staff and surrounding community.
"I am incredibly honoured to be part of the journey as we open Willow River PS. There's a special energy that comes with creating a new school community from the ground up," said Coyle. "It's a unique opportunity to build something meaningful together with students, families, staff and the wider community."
Planning for Willow River PS began in July 2020, when the Ministry of Education announced $25 million in funding for our new school.
"The name Willow River Public School carries such a powerful symbolism. It connects us to the land, the history of the Grand River, and the deep roots of the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for this land for generations," Coyle reflects. "As we build this school's identity together, I'm excited to see how this will inspire learning, share our values, and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come."
