Public asked to help name two new schools coming to Ontario region

Residents of Pickering and Ajax are being asked to help name that school – two in fact – of three that are under construction, with the Ajax public school scheduled to open this September.

The Durham District School Board is inviting residents to participate in the naming process for the as-yet unnamed Ajax Coughlan Public School (Hurst Drive and Stannardville Drive, north of Pickering Village) and the unnamed Pickering Seaton Public School (Burkholder Drive and Azalea Avenue).

Also set to open in the fall of 2026  is a high school in north Oshawa at Windfields Farm Drive and Bridle Road.

Those interested in participating in the name-those-schools campaign can submit suggestions through links at Unnamed Ajax Coughlan PS and Unnamed Pickering Seaton PS .

Submissions must be received by Monday, March 24.

The proposed name must align with the Durham District School Board’s commitment to Indigenous rights, human rights, equity, and anti-oppressive principles and practices. The name must also reflect the name of a renowned individual of historical significance, a geographic landmark associated with the location of the school or a significant Canadian event.

The board’s School Naming Committee will review and consider submissions, narrowing them for a second round of community consultation. The top three choices of the school naming committee will be brought forward to the Board of Trustees, with the top choice proposed for consideration.

The new schools are the first three of eight scheduled to open in the next three years, with two elementary schools and one secondary school in west Whitby and another two schools in north Oshawa on the list.

Unnamed Coughlan School in Ajax