New joint-use campus slated to open in 2026
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has confirmed the Ministry of Education has approved the name Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School for its newest elementary site, part of a joint-use campus in southeast Galt that is scheduled to open in September 2026.
Board officials said the name was selected following a community consultation process that gathered input from students, families and staff. The chosen name, they say, is intended to reflect themes of protection, guidance and care that the board expects will shape the school's identity.
"Guardian Angels speaks to protection, guidance, and care, a beautiful reminder that every child who walks through these doors will be watched over, valued, and loved," said Annalisa Varano, Director of Education and CEO for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
Shared campus and capacities
The new facility will share a joint campus with the Waterloo Region District School Board's Giinawind Public School, continuing a local pattern of collaboration between the two boards. The site is located at 605 Wesley Blvd. in Cambridge.
- The Catholic elementary will accommodate 360 students.
- The public elementary (Giinawind) is planned to serve 519 students.
- An on-site childcare facility operated by YWCA Cambridge will provide space for 88 children.
The boards have previously worked together in Waterloo Region on joint-use campuses and shared services. Proponents of the model argue such arrangements can make efficient use of land and facilities while supporting program collaboration; critics sometimes raise concerns about operational complexity and boundaries between different school systems.
What comes next for families
Construction and final preparations will continue ahead of the September 2026 opening. The Waterloo Catholic District School Board thanked its trustees, the school naming committee, the Ministry of Education and community members for their roles in the naming process and said it looks forward to a grand opening celebration with students, families and staff.
| Component | Planned capacity |
|---|---|
| Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary | 360 |
| Giinawind Public School | 519 |
| YWCA Cambridge childcare | 88 |
Families in the southeast Galt area and across Waterloo Region who are planning for elementary school placements should monitor communications from both boards for details about registration, catchment boundaries and programming as they become available.
