Turtle Island Public School
Thames Valley District School Board
~$27 Million
JP Thompson Architects
Graceview Enterprises
2026
Turtle Island Public School is an elementary school located in north Woodstock, Ontario. Located at 717 Knights Lane, the school is part of a $31.9 million project by the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to address growing student populations in the region. Scheduled to open in early 2026, Turtle Island Public School will accommodate up to 856 students from Woodstock, Innerkip, Drumbo, and Zorra.
In addition to its primary educational facilities, the school will feature a five-room child care centre operated by the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, offering spaces for 10 infants, 30 toddlers, and 48 preschoolers.
The name "Turtle Island" was chosen through a community consultation process, reflecting Indigenous heritage and aligning with the TVDSB's commitment to reconciliation and cultural inclusivity. The project is being developed by Graceview Enterprises Inc., with architectural design by JP Thomson Architects.
The structural system of the school combines load-bearing concrete block walls with hollow core precast concrete floor planks to efficiently frame the second floor. This approach provides a durable and cost-effective solution well suited to an institutional building. Structural steel framing is used in areas requiring longer spans, such as the gymnasium and learning commons, with open web steel joists supporting the roof structure. Reinforced concrete foundations anchor the building, while the integration of precast components helped streamline construction timelines. The system balances strength, fire resistance, and flexibility for modern educational use.
