How to Register a School in Ontario

If you are considering opening an independent school, learn what steps to take to register your school in Ontario.

Before an independent school can open in Ontario, it must:

  1. Register their school with the Ontario Ministry of Education by submitting the Notice of Intention to Operate a Private School (NOI) and application fee.

  2. Ensure their school meets/exceeds the standards for independent schools defined in the province’s Education Act:

    Under subsection 1(1) of the Education Act , a private school is defined as “an institution at which instruction is provided at any time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any school day for five or more pupils who are of or over compulsory school age in any of the subjects of the elementary or secondary school courses of study…“

The updated Notice of Intention is released each April for the upcoming school year and must be submitted prior to September 1st. Once the NOI has been submitted, the ministry will arrange to visit the school within the first month of operations to validate that ministry requirements have been met.

The Validation Process: Meeting government requirements for operating a private school

During the validation visit, the ministry inspector will confirm that the school has at a minimum the following characteristics of a private school, as listed on the NOI:

  • A principal in charge of the school

  • Control of quality of instruction and evaluation of student achievement

  • Control of content of the program or courses of study

  • A common school-wide assessment and evaluation policy

  • A common procedure for reporting to parents

  • A common school-wide attendance policy

  • A central office for the maintenance of student records with respect to attendance, Ontario Student Information System (ONSIS) and Ontario Student Records (OSR)

  • A school must also meet zoning, fire, health, and building code requirements in force in the municipality.

A successful validation visit leads to the school receiving a BSID number and being listed on the ministry database of registered independent schools.

Inspected Schools

Secondary schools that would like to grant credits in subjects leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) must be inspected by the Ministry of Education. Inspections are made on the standard of instruction and evaluation and the keeping of student records, all in accordance with the Ministry of Education Ontario Curriculum and applicable policies. Schools are not inspected on items such as premises, health and safety practices or matters relating to staffing. Independent secondary schools are authorized to grant credits only after a ministry inspection. For details and pre-inspection and inspection guidelines and resources, visit the ministry website.

The OFIS Principals Course Part 1 is an introduction to the foundations of Ontario independent school operations, governance, and management.

All are welcome and OFIS membership is not required.

OFIS Members have access to further resources that support new schools during their development, as well as special member rates for professional development courses.

Ministry Links and Resources

Private schools General information about private elementary and secondary schools in Ontario.

Notice of intention to operate a private school  Resources to help private school administrators complete a notice of intention (NOI) to operate.

Private Schools Policies and Procedures Manual This manual provides private school owners, principals and teachers with information regarding the policies, procedures and legislative requirements of the Ministry of Education with respect to the operation of private schools in Ontario.