The Ontario government is introducing a new system of Student and Family Support Offices across all school boards, a move officials say will give parents and guardians a clearer, faster way to resolve concerns about their child’s education.
The province said the offices will serve as an additional contact point for families seeking help with complex or contentious issues that have not been resolved at the school level. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to overhaul board governance, increase accountability and reinforce a back-to-basics approach focused on student achievement.
“Better access for parents means better outcomes for students,” Education Minister Paul Calandra said in a statement. “Student and Family Support Offices will give families clear answers and timely solutions when it comes to their child’s education. We’re going to continue overhauling an outdated school board governance model so that more resources go into classrooms, teachers have better support and students have the best chance to succeed.”
The first offices will launch in January 2026 at the province’s five supervised boards: Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Thames Valley District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board and Toronto District School Board. Each board will provide further details on its website by Jan. 19.
All other Ontario school boards must submit plans by March 31 outlining how they will open their offices by Sept. 1, 2026. Each office will be overseen by a supervisory officer.
According to the province, the offices will review concerns escalated beyond the school and streamline the response process by acknowledging inquiries within two business days and aiming to provide full responses within five days. Officials say the change will make the education system more responsive and accessible by ensuring existing resources can be directed to helping parents navigate the system and obtain timely answers.
The move continues the government’s efforts to restore public confidence in publicly funded education, coming alongside record-level investments for 2025–26 and new legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of board finances, governance and performance.
