Frequently Asked Questions
Orangeville Christian School is a private, independent Christian School serving Shelburne, Caledon, Grand Valley and Orangeville as well as rural Dufferin County.
There are a number of questions that we typically get asked here at Orangeville Christian School. We decided to put together a frequently asked questions section to provide some answers to those questions.
Why should we choose OCS?
A shared vision of Christian education draws parents to partner with Orangeville Christian School. Our commitment to pursue excellence in education for the glory of God (Col. 3:23) can be best described as “kingdom-class”. A kingdom-class Christian school seeks to educate both the mind and soul, so that students’ lives are transformed, others are served, and God is glorified.
Our prayer for all our students is that they become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Becoming a faithful disciple begins with a personal response to God’s plan of redemption, the development of a personal relationship with God, and is expressed through a Christ-like character. Cultivating Christian character and culture is essential to promoting a life of servant leadership. We are privileged and honoured that you have partnered with us as we pursue excellence and kingdom-class education for the glory of God.
Do you know of families that are searching for a Christian school committed to pursuing excellence for the glory of God? Be sure to speak to them about OCS. Your discussion will have eternal consequences.
What makes OCS unique?
OCS is a Christian school with high academic and behaviourial standards. We are committed to nurturing students to reach their highest potential. We are blessed with a unique community atmosphere of 150 students and active, involved parents.
Is there before and after school supervision?
Before and after school care is provided for students in JK through Grade 8. The morning times are 7:00-8:45 am and the evening times are from 3:45-6:00 pm. Arrangements for supervision are made with the front office.
Do you offer a part-time or full-time program for Kindergarten?
Orangeville Christian School offers a full-day, part-time kindergarten program on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with a staff to student ratio of approximately 1:18 in both Junior and Senior Kindergarten. A full-day, full-time kindergarten program is also available by participating in our play-based program offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. Students enjoy a full program, including French, Art, Music, Physical Education and Library. Outdoor play and rest time provide the children with a break from the busy routine of the classroom.
Where do OCS students go after Grade 8?
Our graduates go on to be successful in local and independent high schools in Dufferin County and surrounding regions.
What types of Christian outreach does the school support?
Our students participate in Christian service from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Recent activities include clean-up at local parks, Headwaters Foundation Radioathon, Humane Society, Homeless Shelter, Food Bank, sponsor children, Avalon Retirement Home etc.
Are teachers fully qualified?
At OCS, we are privileged to have a professional, collaborative, and innovative staff. Our classroom teachers have completed studies and professional training in recognized educational institutes. OCS is committed to the ongoing professional development of all our staff members.
Is Orangeville Christian School associated with one denomination?
OCS is a non-denominational Christian school serving more than ten area churches. The school strives to respect the distinctive teachings of each family’s local congregation while joyfully affirming the essential unifying truths of the Christian faith.
How is the school governed?
OCS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors selected from the Orangeville Christian School Society membership. OCS is a non-profit organization with charitable status.
How does the school encourage involvement among parents, teachers, and students?
We welcome and encourage the involvement of parents in many areas of the life of the school. Field trips, pizza lunches, sports coaching, and school community events are just some of the ways our parents are involved. We highly value our parent volunteers and the contributions they make toward the well-being of our school community!
How do Pizza Wednesdays work?
The school offers an optional service to teachers and students through an outside pizza lunch provider. The students enjoy a pizza lunch every Wednesday in the school gymnasium in their house teams.
Do you have the same holidays as the Upper Grand School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board?
Our school calendar follows the same holiday calendar as the UGSB and DPCSB for both the Christmas and March breaks. We do not share all the same professional development/activity days.
Do you accept donations?
Yes, we are a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Please contact the school office for more details.
Why should we choose OCS?
A shared vision of Christian education draws parents to partner with Orangeville Christian School. Our commitment to pursue excellence in education for the glory of God (Col. 3:23) can be best described as “kingdom-class”. A kingdom-class Christian school seeks to educate both the mind and soul, so that students’ lives are transformed, others are served, and God is glorified.
Our prayer for all our students is that they become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Becoming a faithful disciple begins with a personal response to God’s plan of redemption, the development of a personal relationship with God, and is expressed through a Christ-like character. Cultivating Christian character and culture is essential to promoting a life of servant leadership. We are privileged and honoured that you have partnered with us as we pursue excellence and kingdom-class education for the glory of God.
Do you know of families that are searching for a Christian school committed to pursuing excellence for the glory of God? Be sure to speak to them about OCS. Your discussion will have eternal consequences.
Why Choose an Ontario Independent (Private) School?
The report, published by the Fraser Institute (an independent Canadian research organization), is the most comprehensive study of its kind and is based on a survey of 919 Ontario households with children attending private schools. Van Pelt reported that parents are choosing private schools because they feel the public system isn’t meeting the needs of their children. Regardless of whether they are seeking a sounder academic environment or a learning environment that reflects their religious faith, the answers to the survey reflect dissatisfaction with the current public school system.
The survey asked parents to rate how important their disappointment with other school options was in choosing their current private school. Fully 94 per cent of respondents said that disappointment with public or separate schools was a factor in their choice of a private school.
The dedication of teachers at private schools was listed as very important by 91 per cent of parents in the survey, while more than 80 per cent of respondents said the emphasis on academics by private schools was very important. Teaching right from wrong and school safety were also very important reasons for choosing a private school for almost all parents surveyed.
Van Pelt also noted that while enrolment in Ontario’s publicly funded schools has not even doubled over the last four decades, attendance at private schools has more than quadrupled. Parents tend to be attracted to schools that show strong leadership, clear goals, flexibility, good discipline, high expectations and parent-teacher collaboration. Many parents believe they will find those qualities in a private school.
The report also looked at the characteristics of families that choose private schools for their children and found they tend to have higher levels of education, higher status occupations or self-employment, and a greater involvement in civic affairs.
Although the report is over eleven years old, its findings are just as valid today. Christian and secular parents are looking for alternatives to our government funded schools and Orangeville Christian School is an excellent choice. Do you know families that are among the ones mentioned above? Be sure to speak to them about OCS and the characteristics that make us unique.

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Voted #1 in Dufferin CountyÂ
9 Years in a row and counting.
The community of Dufferin County has voted the Orangeville Christian School the #1 School for the 9th consecutive year. We cannot thank the community enough for their continued support of OCS.
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