New public schools open in London as students begin 2025 academic year

Students return to class in London, Ont., on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

Tens of thousands of students in Southwestern Ontario returned to classes on Wednesday.

A few even walked into brand new schools.

While a dozen French full-language schools began classes on Tuesday, for most kids, Wednesday was their first walk to school or a ride on the school bus.

Maximus Stele was full of nerves as he waited for a school bus to take him to his first day of Grade 9.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know,” he told a CTV News camera as he tried to describe the feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Part of his uneasiness was knowing he now must get out with the birds to go to high school.

“Yeah, buses, and you have to wake up two hours earlier.”

The latter start for elementary students was welcomed at White Pine Public School, one of two brand new Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) facilities that opened in London on Wednesday. (The other is North West Public School).

Parents and their children lined up half an hour before the very first classes.

Shelby Chisholm was relieved that her daughter no longer had to ride a school bus.

“We were originally at Lambeth, and now we get to experience this beautiful new school.”

Ahsanul Hafiz’s son went from a long bus ride to a short stroll.

“Just a one-minute walk, and I can see my son coming home from our balcony. So, it’s very exciting.”

White Pines principal Kristin Lynds said enrolment at the first new three-storey public school building in decades is already nearing its 800-student capacity on opening day.

“No portables at this point, but with all the growth in the area, you never know.”

Lynds said her 68 staff members plan to quickly build a school community around the new subdivision, made up of multiple cultures.

“Very diverse population and very representative of the London community, which is amazing.”

Some finishing touches, including the library, the gym, and the daycare centre, were not ready for the first day. However, most are expected to open within a short period of time.