New Catholic high school in Kitchener now has name

In September 2026, 1,400 high school students in Kitchener’s east end will call Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School home.

The name, in honour of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, received 53 per cent of the 852 votes cast by stakeholders, and was approved by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) this week.

That vote was open from Oct. 10 to Oct. 20.

It included three other options, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Secondary School (23.4%), St. Carlo Acutis Catholic Secondary School (13.7%), and St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic Secondary School (9.9%).

The report to the WCDSB highlights the importance of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, describing them as “pioneers of Catholic education in Waterloo Region, dedicating their lives to teaching immigrant children.”

The Grade 7-12 high school will be located at 20 Woolner Trl., off Fairway Road North.

During the school approval process, there were numerous safety concerns brought forward, due its location near such a busy roadway.

Kitchener City Council worked to address those concerns in part, by reducing the speed on Fairway in front of the school to 40 km/h.