A proposal to educate ECS-Grade 12 students in Beaverlodge was recently submitted to the Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD Board).  

Beaverlodge Elementary School Council members Stacey Korzenowski, Chair and Lana Clark, Treasurer presented on the current structure of PWPSD education in Beaverlodge that sees Grades 7-9 students bused to Hythe Regional School after completing Grade 6 at Beaverlodge Elementary School. Following completion of Grade 9, students then return to Beaverlodge Regional High School for Grades 10-12.  

The pair presented a proposal that would see Grades 7-9 students educated in the Town of Beaverlodge by merging the three grades into the existing elementary and high school structures in the interim, until a new ECS - Grade 9 school facility could be built. 

Reasoning behind the proposal includes ending the need for out-of-town busing to Hythe, improved student and family access to extracurricular activities, relationship continuity among students, greater academic success due to fewer school transitions, and as a response to declining enrolment at the elementary school. 

The Board received the report as information, noting that it will be added to a future Committee of the Whole meeting agenda.