Project 1: Three-Year Strathcona County Engagement

Within Project 1: Three-Year Strathcona County Engagement, there are four key focus areas

Attendance Area Cleanup;
French Immersion Review;
System Program Review; and
Balance Senior High.

Over a three-year period, EIPS engaged school communities within Strathcona County about how best to accommodate students within existing EIPS infrastructure. Specifically, how to address school capacity issues, adjust attendance areas, improve system-programming transitions and enhance accommodations for French Immersion programming. All were interconnected and required a phased approach.

Project 1: Three-Year Strathcona County Engagement

1) Attendance Area Cleanup
engagement facilitated by Western Management Consultants

Project 1’s Attendance Area Cleanup started in June 2022 and finished in spring 2024. EIPS engaged Sherwood Park communities about changing the junior high attendance areas for two identified areas: students designated to Brentwood Elementary and Northeast Sherwood Park. After reviewing the engagement feedback and the outcomes of the other focus areas within Project 1, EIPS determined the best solution for students is to keep the junior high attendance boundaries in Sherwood Park unchanged. Learn more

2) French Immersion Review
The French Immersion Review started in Fall 2022 and finished in Winter 2024. EIPS engaged stakeholders exploring ways to enhance French Immersion programming, increase retention at the secondary program, address anticipated enrolment pressures in Ardrossan and balance enrolment at the elementary level. Through three phases of engagement, EIPS reached the following solutions:

Expand the elementary French Immersion boundaries for Heritage Hills Elementary—effective in the 2023-24 school year.
Relocate EIPS’ senior high French Immersion program, grades 10 to 12, to Salisbury Composite High—effective when the Sherwood Park replacement school opens.
Adjust the junior high French Immersion attendance boundaries by redesignating students residing in Cambrian Crossing to the new replacement school in Sherwood Park—effective in the 2024-25 school year. Learn more

3) System Program Review
EIPS worked directly with school families to enhance system-program students' transitions between elementary, junior high and senior high. Learn more

4) Balance Senior High Enrolment in Sherwood Park
As part of the French Immersion Review, the Division also determined the best way to balance senior high enrolment in Sherwood Park was by expanding Bev Facey Community High’s attendance. Specifically, redesignating senior high students residing in Lakeland Ridge’s junior attendance area to Bev Facey for grades 10 to 12—effective when the Sherwood Park replacement school opens—expected in the 2026-27 school year. Learn more

Before closing the Three-Year Engagement Plan, EIPS needs to evaluate the location of the junior high Logos Christian and the Impact programs to ensure sufficient student capacity at the Sherwood Park replacement school. The Division will engage stakeholders before a decision is made, which is anticipated during the 2024-25 school year. A final decision is expected before the 2026-27 Returning Student Registration Process.

For more information:
Project 1: Frequently Asked Questions

Engagement Timeline

Attendance Area Cleanup
Spring 2022

One public meeting at Brentwood Elementary: June 9, 2022; 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
One public meeting at Lakeland Ridge: June 20, 2022, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Fall 2022

One public meeting at F.R. Haythorne Junior High: Sept. 13, 2022; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
One public meeting at Clover Bar Junior High: Oct. 3, 2022; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In November 2022, EIPS presented a report for information to the Board of Trustees. Before making a recommendation to the Board, EIPS needs to review feedback and information within Project 1.

French Immersion Review
Fall 2022

One public meeting at Heritage Hills Elementary: Oct. 26, 2022; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
One online survey: October 27 to November 17

Winter 2023

One public meeting at Heritage Hills Elementary: Feb. 7, 2023; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
One online survey: February 8-21

Spring 2023

One public meeting at Davidson Creek Elementary: April 13, 2023; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
One online survey: April 14 to 24

Summer 2023

One online survey: June 16 to July 13

System Program Review
Fall 2022 to Spring 2023

EIPS worked directly with school families, exploring ways to enhance student transitions.

Balance Senior High
Fall 2024 to Winter 2024

EIPS took a system-wide approach, exploring stakeholder feedback from the French Immersion engagement, the 2020 Sherwood Park value scoping session and working-group meetings; background information, trends, facts and figures; enrolment projections; available infrastructure; and the culture and history of both senior high schools in Sherwood Park.