Frequently Asked Questions: Junior High Honours

How do I register my child for Junior High Honours?

Registration for the 2025-26 EIPS Junior High Honours program will open on Jan. 13, 2025.

The parent or guardian on file in PowerSchool identified as the Permission Click contact for all current grades 7 and 8 students will receive an email through Permission Click outlining the application process for the program—including a link to an application form. Information will be sent directly to all current grades 7 and 8 families when applications open. After applications close, there is no late application process.

When will I find out if my child is accepted?

In early February, families will be contacted to confirm conditional acceptance for students applying to the program—based on a student’s marks as of Jan. 30, 2025. Students must maintain their honours standing on the year-end report card in June to receive final acceptance in the Honours program for the upcoming year.

Do we still need to complete the returning student registration process?

Yes. If your child currently attends school within EIPS and is returning next year, you’ll still complete the online Returning Student Registration Form. On the form, you’ll confirm the school your child will attend next year. Once returning student registration closes, all decisions are final for the next school year. In terms of the Junior High Honours program, the anticipated school you’ll see listed on your child’s Returning Student Registration Form will align with the school they’ve been directed to for Junior High Honours next year.

If conditionally accepted, can my child change their mind and not participate in the program?

Yes, but there is a deadline. When schools contact families in early February, they’ll advise of the finalized 2025-26 Junior High Honours program locations, and you can confirm or decline if you’d like your child to attend the particular school they’re directed to. You’ll then reconfirm this school during the returning student registration process. Once returning student registration closes, all decisions are final for the next school year.

What does conditional acceptance mean?

EIPS will pull students marks to confirm conditional acceptance in the 2025-26 Junior High Honours program. Criteria is based on a student’s marks on January 30, 2025. To be conditionally accepted a student must have a minimum 80 per cent average in each of the four core subjects on January 30, 2025. If students do not meet the criteria, they will be contacted via email and will remain in their current school, and there is not another opportunity to apply for that school year.

Where will the Junior High Honours program be located in 2025-26?

Junior High Honours program locations won’t be finalized until after the application process closes and EIPS determines the number of students conditionally accepted.

What’s the likelihood of a program being added in another community?

Program locations are unknown until EIPS reviews the applications. Finalized program locations will be confirmed in early February. 

If there aren’t enough Junior High Honours applications at another school to add a location, does my child have to move to the school offering the program or do we have the option of choosing to opt out of the program later on?

Your child doesn’t have to move schools unless they do specifically want the Junior High Honours program. When schools contact families to advise of conditional acceptance in the program, staff will let you know the finalized program locations and you can make the decision that best suits your family. You’ll confirm the school your child will attend during the returning student registration process. Once returning student registration closes, all decisions are final for the next school year.

Note: Transportation and boundary considerations may impact whether a student can attend another school. For example, EIPS doesn’t have a bus that runs from Vegreville to Sherwood Park.

What if there are more applicants than spaces available for the program? Will there be a random draw?

When the Junior High Honours program applications close, EIPS staff will review the number of applicants and information about current schools. Division staff will then connect with applicable principals to determine where the finalized program locations will be. If the number of applications for Junior High Honours exceeds the number of available spaces at one or more schools or in one or more grades, a random selection draw may take place. Those not selected in the random selection process for one school may have the option to attend the Junior High Honours program at another school if there is space available at another site.

What would transportation look like if my child must travel to another school for the program?

Transportation routes and fees depend on where you’re located in relation to the school your child attends. If your child resides within Elk Island Public Schools, you’ll be assessed the applicable transportation fee. Depending on final Junior High Honours program locations chosen, bus routes may or may not be available from your location to the school. For more information and details about student transportation services and fees, see the EIPS Transportation web page.

Is there a priority for students who wish to enrol in Junior High Honours who already attend one of the schools where the program will be offered?

EIPS’ first goal is for these students to remain at their school. Overall, if a school has students apply from their school, they’ll be accommodated first. Only if students cannot be accommodated at their current school would the Division conduct a random draw and provide the option to register in the Junior High Honours program at another site. 

What are the courses for Junior High Honours? Are they the same as courses in the regular program?

Junior High Honours students follow the same Alberta Education grades 8 and 9 curriculums as regular program students. Junior High Honours students will form their own class for core subjects. Junior High Honours students are also expected to complete 25 hours of community service - over the course of the year - in an area of passion and will automatically be enrolled in the “CTF: Enterprise and Innovation” option course. Students will still be able to choose other options offered at the school they attend. For more information, see the EIPS Junior High Honours Program web page.

Is the grade weighting different in Junior High Honours versus the regular program? Is there more homework?

An 80% in Junior High Honours is the same as an 80% in the regular program, as it's the same curriculum and expectations for students. There’s no bell curve and you’re not graded against your peers—you’re still graded per the curriculum and receive a similar amount of homework. The CTF course allots students time to work on projects, rather than taking time away from core courses.

Does my child have to keep marks equal to or more than 80% during the program?

No. During the year, their marks will ebb and flow. Once a student has received final acceptance in the Junior High Honours program for the start of next school year, they’ll remain in the program for the full school year. Students are only required to have an 80% in each of the four core subjects at the time of conditional acceptance and at the time of final acceptance if they’d like to register in the program again for the following year.

What passion areas are appropriate for the community service component of the program? Do they have to relate to a school subject?

Passion areas don’t need to be in a school-related subject—they can be any areas a student is interested in and wants to explore.

Does the community service placement need to be in school or outside of school?

The placement can be in school, outside of school or a combination of both, depending on the passion areas a student wants to explore. Several schools have volunteer programs that’d meet the community service requirement.

Does the school assist students in finding placements for the 25 hours of community service?

Yes. EIPS will work with the school, teacher and family to find a suitable volunteer activity. The Division will also look at community partners. Several schools already have volunteer programs that’d meet the community service requirement.

What’s involved in the CTF Enterprise and Innovation course? Is it mandatory?

The CTF Enterprise and Innovation course is mandatory and involves projects surrounding STEM and the Humanities. 

Course description: 
Students can create, organize and manage a project of their choice through this project-focused course. Students will learn to identify, compare and assess various possibilities and ideas while working toward planning, executing and reflecting on their projects or innovation.

Are there Junior High Honours options for alternative programs—for example, a Junior High Honours French Immersion?

No. Junior High Honours is a standalone program, the same as French Immersion, Logos and Alternative Christian. Students must choose if they want to enrol in French Immersion, Logos, Alternative Christian or Junior High Honours, but they can’t do more than one.

How much does the Junior High Honours program cost?

There’s no cost for enrolling in the program, and there is currently also no fee for the CTF course.

While in Junior High Honours, can my child still participate in extracurricular activities—for example, sports programs?

Yes. They’ll still have access to extracurricular opportunities at their school.

Does the Junior High Honours program follow the same calendar as EIPS?

Yes. The Junior High Honours program follows the Division calendar.

Does the Junior High Honours program help with post-secondary admission? Is the program a prerequisite for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme or Advanced Placement (AP) programs?

No. Grade 9 marks aren’t taken into consideration for post-secondary admission. The program also isn’t a prerequisite for IB or AP—Junior High Honours is about enriching the regular curriculum.

What is the class size cap for the Junior High Honours program?

The Junior High Honours program class size cap is based on the space constraints of the school or schools in which it’s offered. Different schools may have different class size caps, and the caps at any school may change from year to year.

Can my child leave the program after Grade 8 and go back to their previous school?

Yes, but the request must be made during the applicable returning student registration process. If your child chooses not to continue the Junior High Honours program in Grade 9, you’ll identify on their subsequent returning student registration form which school they’d like to attend. If it’s their designated school, there’ll be no issue for them to return to that school. If the request is for a non-designated school, acceptance is based on open or closed boundaries and available spaces at that school.