Photo: Shaun Penner

By Shane Clausing

GPCSD

Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools looking to switch back to K-8 model

Jan 21, 2021 | 7:31 AM

The Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools Division is looking to switch back to a Kindergarten-Grade 8 model for all english schools within the division by either the Fall of 2021 or 2022.

Currently, all of the catholic schools in Grande Prairie are K-7 and 8-12.

Karl Germann, the Superintendent for GPCSD says moving back to this model has always been their intention and it’s happening faster than expected.

“As we get closer to opening up O’Brien Lake School and St. Patrick’s school, and also seeing a slow down in the population overall, it’s an opportunity that might present itself this fall or next fall for all of the schools in the city.

“We’re really pleased to do that, because we believe it’s something that both parents and students would probably like. It was a part of our long-term plan and it just seems to be something that’s moving forward a little quickly, but that’s good.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

This current school format has been in place for nearly four years.

The changes would see St. Joe’s High School become a Grade 9-12 school. St. John Paul II Catholic School would become an English Grade 9-12, and a Grade 8-12 Immersion for August 2021

Germann tells EverythingGP switching back to the K-8 format would be more beneficial for students across all schools in the Catholic School Division.

“More importantly, it right sizes our schools, because all of our schools have been tremendously full. Just to get some of that population down at the High School level would be really good for kids and staff overall.

“That’s really why we’re really looking at it, to try and rebalance some of our schools out and I think that would be the best decision for kids.”

Germann added that a decision on going back to the old model could come in February or March. If the change does get approved, Germann says there’s lots of logistics and administrative work to do to get to that point.