Class-Size Tracker


Frequently Asked Questions

Smaller Class Sizes

Does Ontario really have less than 23 students in each primary class in 2008-09?

Yes, all primary classes have 23 students or fewer.

The government has a target of 90% of all primary classes having 20 students or less. Have school boards reached it?

With additional government funding and hard work at the board and school levels, 90.3% of primary classes have 20 students or fewer.

What about schools that are still overcrowded. What is the province doing to help them?

Some school boards may need new classrooms to make room for smaller primary classes. To help, the province has given boards funds to provide more classroom space – funds that will support up to $700 million in new capital projects.

Why not limit all primary classes to 20 students? Why are some allowed to be bigger?

Ten percent of classes can have up to three extra students. This gives boards flexibility when students move and change schools.

How much funding has the government invested to reduce class sizes in 2008-09?

For the 2008-09 school year, the total investment is almost $420 million in ongoing funding. This investment will support 5,100 additional primary teachers in the province.

Will smaller primary classes mean larger classes in other grades?

No. In fact, the average class size in grades 4 to 8 has actually gone down since 2003-04, and is now under 25. However, because these are board-wide averages, class sizes may vary. In some cases, a class might have more than 25 students, while in other cases it might have fewer.

Have smaller primary classes meant more split grades?

Provincewide, the percentage of combined classes in the elementary grades has increased. But, at some boards, this percentage has actually decreased.

Elementary schools have always had combined grades. Several studies have found that students in combined classes do as well -- or better -- than students in single-grade classes.

Teachers use a variety of strategies to teach students in combined grades. These strategies help ensure that teachers are able to look at the individual learning needs and progress of each student. The Ministry will continue to provide support in this area.

Learn more about combined classrooms

How can I get more information or share my ideas?

Contact the Ministry of Education by e-mail, telephone or mail.