The Upper Grand District School Board is pleased to announce the name of the new elementary school opening in Centre Wellington in September.
At the May 27, 2025, Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved “Grand River Public School” as the name for the new school.
Throughout the naming process, the board followed UGDSB Policy 303, which includes meaningful consultation with students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers, and members of the community.
As part of that process, a committee was formed and created an online survey to gather community input on proposed names. More than 500 students, parents/guardians and staff contributed to the survey. The survey results were reviewed and the shortlist of names was shared with the Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility Office and the First Nations Métis Inuit Education Council to ensure that the proposed names reflect the board’s commitment to equity, inclusivity and human rights.
Community members were then invited to a virtual town hall to rank their favourite options from the shortlist of proposed names.
Grand River Public School was one of the top recommendations brought forward through the public consultation process.
Policy 303 encourages names that reflect the geography, history, or cultural diversity of the community and that inspire pride and connection. The Grand River flows through many regions in the Upper Grand District School Board, as was the inspiration for the board’s name as well.
The new school will open in September 2025 and is located on Kirvan Street and Elliott Avenue East in the Storeybrook Subdivision in Fergus.