About DSBN

Land Acknowledgement DSBN’s Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement made at the beginning of meetings, events and other occasions to publicly recognize Indigenous peoples and their unique relationship to ancestral lands and territories upon which DSBN and its schools are located. It serves as a reminder of treaties, agreements and our responsibilities to uphold them, care for the land and maintain peaceful relationships with one another.

We begin this gathering by acknowledging the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum agreement.  Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples and acknowledging reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous peoples.

Simply put, the District School Board of Niagara is about student success.

This commitment is ubiquitous throughout our system and is encapsulated by our motto, “Achieving Success Together”. Providing students with a quality public education that empowers them with the knowledge and desire to chase their dreams requires a continuous team effort. It demands that our teachers, principals, support staff, senior administration and trustees maintain an unwavering focus on student learning.

In today’s society, it is essential for students to have strong literacy and numeracy skills. Our staff are diligent in their efforts to support students and help them achieve success in these core areas. This approach involves recognizing that all students are unique individuals, assessing their needs, and then tailoring specific programs to boost their confidence and improve their skills. We firmly believe that all children can learn, no matter their background and experience and we work tirelessly to reach every single student that we are fortunate enough to serve.

This type of work demands a well-trained, energetic and empathetic workforce. At the District School Board of Niagara, we employ almost 3,000 teachers and more than 1,300 support staff. Whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, or even in the cafeteria, these dedicated individuals bring our mission of “working together to inspire and empower all learners to reach their full potential” to life each and every day.

Of course, learning does not just take place inside a classroom during school hours. Whether it happens at home, with friends or out in the community, new life experiences continually shape the way children view and interact with the world. It is for this reason that the DSBN values its partnerships. Working with parents, business, community organizations and government allows students to take full advantage of the wide range of rich and vibrant opportunities available to them. The DSBN is proud to have established partnerships with organizations such as the Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Education, the United Way and the Regional Government just to name a few.

We value relationships, respect and responsibility at the DSBN. It is these core values that guide us as we work with our partners and develop innovative new programs and supports to meet the needs of today’s youth.

The Board operates 79 elementary schools and 18 secondary schools in the 12 municipalities of the Niagara Region. We are proud to serve approximately 43,000 students from JK to Grade 12 each year. The DSBN is governed by a Board of 11 elected trustees.