Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is in year three of a three-year public engagement initiative to enhance programming offered throughout the Division. One of the programs EIPS explored was French Immersion. Specifically, how to best address enrolment pressures, balance elementary enrolment and boost program retention. To ensure the best possible solution, the Division held public consultations with school families, students and community stakeholders—through public meetings, surveys and other feedback opportunities about their needs, values, concerns and ideas on possible options.
Latest Updates
On Jan. 25, 2024, after an exhaustive review of all the stakeholder feedback, background information, trends, facts and figures, enrolment projections, attendance boundaries, available infrastructure, and input from working-group meetings with principals and staff, the EIPS Board of Trustees approved a solution for EIPS’ secondary French Immersion program. The solution also included changes to the senior high attendance boundaries in Sherwood Park, as the two are inherently connected. Below is a brief overview of the approved solution.
To address anticipated enrolment pressures in Ardrossan, enhance French Immersion program retention and balance senior high enrolment in Sherwood Park is to:
- relocate EIPS’ senior high French Immersion program, grades 10-12, to Salisbury Composite High—effective when the new Sherwood Park replacement school opens, expected in the 2026-27 school year;
- adjust Strathcona County’s senior high attendance boundaries for Lakeland Ridge to be redesignated to Bev Facey Community High—effective when the new Sherwood Park replacement school opens, expected in the 2026-27 school year; and
- adjust the French Immersion junior high attendance boundaries for Cambrian Crossing, to be redesignated to Sherwood Heights Junior High—effective in the 2024-25 school year.
EIPS administration and the Board feel the solution is the best path forward for the French Immersion program and balancing senior high enrolment in Sherwood Park. That’s because the solution:
- aligns with what was heard from stakeholders;
- aligns with the French Immersion vision and principles;
- addresses the anticipated enrolment pressures in Ardrossan;
- balances senior high enrolment in Sherwood Park.
- enables most alternative and specialized programs offered at the schools to remain unchanged;
- addresses students going to a school closest to where the majority resides;
- addresses program retention by supporting transitions and keeping students in their community as long as possible;
- enables robust programming, especially regarding program offerings, career and technology courses, options, extracurriculars and sports teams; and
- is sustainable into the future.
LEARN MORE
Below are a series of resources that explain the approved solution in more detail.
French Immersion Solution: Overview
NEXT STEPS
Thank you to everyone who participated in the public engagement process. Both EIPS administration and the Board appreciate the time and thought put into the feedback provided throughout the consultation. Between now and when the change takes place, EIPS will continue to keep the school community informed; host information sessions with staff, students and families; and develop a plan to ensure a smooth and successful transition for everyone.