The Ontario government is expanding Student and Family Support Offices to all 72 school boards across the province, giving parents and families a clear, effective way to get help regarding their child's education and find solutions faster. Starting on September 1st, every school board has an office in place as an additional way to help families get answers on broader community concerns, navigate complex issues and receive the information and support they need. This initiative is one more way the government is delivering on its broader plan to make school boards more accountable and focused on student success with a back-to-basics approach that strengthens student achievement and prepares them for rewarding careers.
Parents can find contact information for the Student and Family Support Office on their local school board's main webpage.
"Parents should have a clear and consistent way to raise concerns and get answers when it comes to their child's education," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. "We are strengthening accountability across our school boards and making sure families can get the support they need when they need it. Everything we are doing is focused on improving student achievement and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed."
Student and Family Support Offices review concerns raised by parents to help address matters that need to be escalated following initial engagement with a child's teacher and principal. As part of their mandate, these offices streamline the response process for families by acknowledging inquiries within two business days and aiming to provide an answer within five business days. School boards are also expected to ensure responses to parent inquiries are conducted in a clear manner that is easily understood by a parent and include relevant and accurate information that addresses the specific inquiry.
This will make the education system more responsive and accessible for families by ensuring existing resources can be directed to help students, parents and families navigate the education system and making sure their concerns are addressed. The Ministry of Education will collect information regularly from all 72 school boards to identify patterns and trends about the types of concerns parents are raising, helping to find ways to improve processes so students and families receive better support.
Student and Family Support Offices have already been operating in supervised school boards, with 95 per cent of family inquiries acknowledged within two business days and nearly 90 per cent receiving a response within five business days or an estimated response date for more complex matters. The experience from these offices has helped inform the expansion of this consistent approach to all school boards across the province.
These actions reflect the government's continued focus on upholding public trust in Ontario's publicly funded education system and are part of the government's plan to build a strong, accountable and well-supported public education system with a back-to-basics approach that is focused on improving student outcomes.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is providing historic levels of education funding in 2026-27, with an investment of $30.6 billion in Core Education Funding to focus key resources where they matter most: on student success.
- For the 2026-27 school year, Ontario is making changes to strengthen student achievement and deliver more consistent learning experiences across the province that prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.
- Students and teachers will return to updated curriculum, new classroom resources and stronger supports, including new tools to support financial literacy and math, and clearer expectations around attendance and assessment.
- The province is providing direct access to funding for elementary homeroom teachers to purchase classroom supplies.
Quotes
"At the heart of Catholic education is the belief that parents are the first and most important educators of their children. The Student and Family Support Office reflects our commitment to working alongside families by providing another way to access support, strengthen connections and ensure every student is empowered to reach their God-given potential."
- David Hansen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Chief Education Officer (CEdO), Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
"The Student and Family Support Office builds on the exceptional work already taking place in our schools to support students and families. It provides an additional pathway for families seeking guidance, advocacy or support, while keeping student well-being, achievement and success at the heart of everything we do. Using Case IQ, we can efficiently track and report on trends and supports, helping us strengthen services and respond effectively to the needs of our school communities."
- Adele Filice, Superintendent of Education, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
"The launch of our Student and Family Support Office has been a pivotal step in strengthening the vital connection between our schools and families. By streamlining how we respond to inquiries and concerns, we are ensuring that every student and family feels heard and supported. This office is not just about resolving issues -- it's about fostering a culture of trust and transparency that directly contributes to student achievement and well-being across the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board."
- Stacey Kay, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
"Since we opened our Student and Family Support Office in January, it has helped build on our existing processes to make it easy for families to get the guidance and support they need. Families have a clear place to turn when they have questions or concerns with established timelines, so they know what to expect along the way."
- Dr. Brendan Browne, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Toronto Catholic District School Board
"The Student and Family Support Office provides an important opportunity for us to listen to parents and guardians, have meaningful conversations, answer questions and work through concerns together. We understand that when families reach out, they are advocating for what is best for their child, and we are committed to listening, responding respectfully and working collaboratively to help address concerns and find solutions. While we may not always have an immediate answer, we will make every effort to understand concerns and help move things forward. By working together, families, schools and the Board can create the strongest possible conditions for students to learn, grow and succeed."
- Jay MacJanet, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Chief Education Officer (CEdO), Near North District School Board
Additional Resources
- Ontario Launching New Student and Family Support Offices at Every School Board
- Ontario Introduces Legislation to Hold School Boards Accountable and Support Student Achievement
- School board reviews and investigations
- Your child's education: a parent guide to our school system
- Ontario Investing $60 Million to Upgrade Student Learning Resources
- Supporting School Infrastructure Projects in Ontario
- Ontario to Introduce Legislation to Strengthen School Board Oversight
- Ontario Strengthening Governance, Accountability and Transparency in School Boards, Postsecondary Institutions and Children's Aid Societies
