The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE) is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for parents and guardians of children enrolled in publicly funded Catholic English education in Ontario. Established to promote and protect Catholic education, OAPCE serves as the recognized voice of parents within the province's Catholic school system. Its business registration number is 889430427RR0001.

History and Purpose

Founded in 1939, OAPCE has a long-standing history as a provincial body supporting Catholic education. The organization nurtures passion for Catholic education by fostering active leadership and partnerships throughout Ontario. It works collaboratively with educational and community partners to influence positive outcomes for students within the publicly funded Catholic system.

Activities and Advocacy

OAPCE promotes the importance of publicly funded Catholic education and encourages parents to actively support and engage in their children's schooling. One of its key advocacy points includes urging parents to designate their property taxes to support the Catholic school system, which helps strengthen resources available to these schools.

The association regularly hosts events, conferences, and meetings such as the OAPCE Conference and annual general meetings. It also maintains strong communication efforts including surveys and updates to ensure parents' voices are heard on educational matters.

Organizational Structure and Membership

OAPCE operates across multiple regions in Ontario, with affiliated regional bodies such as OAPCE Toronto serving local districts like the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). The Toronto affiliate provides input to both the school board and the provincial levels to enhance and enrich Catholic education for students.

Membership benefits include voting privileges at annual meetings and participation in regional councils. Many school boards cover membership fees on behalf of their schools, typically at a standard rate per school, facilitating broader parent engagement. Members are encouraged to appoint OAPCE Liaison Representatives on their school councils to act as a communication conduit between parents, the association, and school governance.

Recognition

OAPCE is officially recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Institute for Catholic Education as the representative association for parents and guardians of children in publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario.

Impact

Through its advocacy and partnership efforts, OAPCE plays a vital role in protecting and promoting Catholic education within Ontario, ensuring that parents have a meaningful voice in the development and sustenance of the Catholic school system.

This summary encapsulates the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education's mission, structure, and contributions to Catholic education advocacy in Ontario.