Priority Schools Initiative (PSI) The Priority Schools Initiative (PSI) is a joint project between the Toronto District School Board and the Ministry of Education aimed at making TDSB school spaces more accessible to the community. The objective is to improve overall student achievement by providing quality, affordable, after-school programs for students, parents and their community. With funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education through this initiative, TDSB has opened the doors of 77 schools to provide not-for-profit organisations and groups, free after-hours access to school facilities in communities that need it most. After-hours access starts from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00pm on Saturdays and 8:00am -3:00 pm on Sundays.
Schools involved in the Priority Schools Initiative
Location Map of the Priority Schools Initiative
Space Availability Search - Times may vary for each school so please check for space in your community school
To apply for free use of space under the Priority Schools Initiative, please complete a PSI Request Form
Program Focus
Areas of focus for the Priority Schools Initiative are health and wellness, sports and recreation, leadership and development, arts and culture, counselling, settlement, literacy, social, environment, and civic engagement.
Screening Criteria
|PSI requests are screened and approved based on space availability and PSI eligibility criteria. - Preference will be given to community organisations offering free or subsidised programs.
- Organizations are expected to abide by the TDSB Code of conduct and Mission statement
- Organisations should commit to ensuring a safe school environment at all times.
- Organizations offering programs for children, youth and seniors should ensure that all program staff completes a vulnerable sector screening reference check.
- Over 70% of participants in each program should be from within the community.
- Organisations should ensure adequate supervision i.e. comparable staff to participant ratio.
- Organizations are encouraged to register and attend a user orientation session with the TDSB prior to using TDSB space.
- Please visit the TDSB community use of school facilities site for more information on the responsibilities of TDSB permit holders.
How to Apply - Complete an online request form providing all the necessary information.
- All request applications will be assigned to a CUS Facilitator.
- Applications are reviewed and approved based on PSI eligibility criteria.
- CUS Facilitators will contact organisations to process the request.
- Due to the high volume of requests, please expect at least 4 – 6 weeks of processing time.
For more information on the PSI funding, to register for a user orientation session or to check on the status of your request, please contact Community Use of School Facilitators: Nura Aman – 416 394 7247 – Schools in North East and North West quadrants - Below the 401
Mona Khan – 416 394 7248 –Schools in East & North West quadrants - Above the 401
Salin John – 416 394 7246 – Schools in South West quadrant
Jamila Kyari – 416 394 7249 – Schools in South East quadrant
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