Bluewater District School Board is located on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. The board currently serves approximately 18,500 students in 40 elementary schools and nine secondary schools across Bruce and Grey counties, and employs about 3,000 permanent and casual staff. There are 10 trustees who comprise the Board of Trustees.
Bluewater students and staff continue to be recognized at the provincial and national levels in the arts, science, athletics, language, the environment, and the skilled trades. Our graduation rates continue to increase and 90% of primary classes have 20 or fewer students. French Immersion is offered in 10 elementary schools (two are French only), while six secondary schools offer French Immersion and/or Extended French. Two schools offer Ojibway as a second language.
The Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre (BOEC) offers a full roster of high quality, curriculum-driven environmental education experiences for students in Bluewater District School Board. Each year, roughly 2,000 students experience the great outdoors on this unique 320 hectare site, and its surrounding UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
An integral partner with the communities it serves, Bluewater District School Board actively promotes the use of its schools for recreation, health and wellness, summer school programs, and other activities. Affordable rates and friendly, efficient staff create full-service community schools to the benefit of all.
Bluewater District School Board serves an area of 8,673 square kilometres in size, and is represented by an expansive complement of friendly and welcoming communities. In the northern area of the school district is the Bruce Peninsula surrounded by over 850 kilometres of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay shoreline. The Beaver Valley, the southern Georgian Bay shoreline, and the ski slopes of the Blue Mountains are in the eastern part of the district. Southern Grey-Bruce is Saugeen country with the Saugeen River running through its heart. Its course from Hanover to Southampton has gained it a reputation as one of the best family canoe routes in Ontario. The Lake Huron shore runs along the western side of the school district, and includes several kilometres of sandy beaches and meandering rivers.
While the district's geography is mostly rural, Owen Sound is its largest municipality. The only 'city' on all of Georgian Bay, Owen Sound prides itself as the economic hub of the region. Small shops and bistros mix with an urban shopping mall, museums, art galleries, and a performing arts centre.
The image below is a map of the area served by Bluewater District School Board. Click on the image to see an enlarged view.
Bruce and Grey Counties / Bluewater School District Photo Gallery