Francophone families in Ajax have until Sunday, October 11 to submit their suggestions for what the town's new French-language elementary school should be called.

Conseil scolaire Viamonde said the school is scheduled to open in September 2027, and the board has opened an online consultation platform — with a page dedicated specifically to the Ajax school — where name proposals can be submitted before the weekend deadline.

What kinds of names the board is looking for

The board has set out criteria for anyone hoping to leave a mark on the new school. Proposed names should reflect public secular French-language education.

A submission may honour a francophone figure from the arts, education, history, politics, science or another field. Alternatively, it can draw on the history, culture, geography or traditions of the local community — a nod that could give Ajax residents a chance to highlight something distinctively hometown about their town.

People putting forward a name are also asked to explain what their proposal means.

How a name will be chosen

The process won't work like a popularity contest. Committees representing the school communities will review the suggestions and judge them on their merit, their meaning and whether they meet the board's criteria — not on how many times a particular name is submitted.

From there, the shortlisted names go to the board itself, and finally to the Ministry of Education for approval.

Part of a three-school expansion

The Ajax school is one of three new elementary schools Viamonde plans to open in September 2027, alongside new schools in Chatham and Hamilton Ouest.

Once all three are up and running, the Viamonde network will count 44 elementary schools starting in September 2027, according to the board's announcement dated September 24, 2026.

For Ajax, the new school adds to the town's French-language education options as it continues to grow, and the naming consultation gives local families and community members a direct — if brief — window to shape the identity of a school that will serve the community for decades.

Name proposals must be submitted through the board's online consultation platform by Sunday, October 11, 2026.