BARRHEAD – Pembina Hills School Division is holding a steady course with its latest three-year education plan, emphasizing sustainability, stakeholder confidence, and continued support for students and staff.
Raime Drake, Deputy Superintendent of Education Services, presented the plan to the division’s board during its May 21 meeting.
“This plan is all about sustainability and routine,” Drake said. “We are living this education plan. Our principals are validating this, and our teachers are validating this. This is a reflection of the ongoing work.”
The division’s core priorities, value statements, and profile remain unchanged. The plan continues to focus on three main areas: student and staff relationships, literacy and numeracy, and staff support. A strong foundation of positive relationships is seen as essential for student resilience, confidence, and mental well-being. Literacy and numeracy remain critical for achievement across all subjects. A collaborative school culture that emphasizes inclusion and effective teaching practices is key to serving a diverse student population.
Stakeholder engagement continues to play a central role in shaping the plan. Feedback from students, staff, parents, and community members informed the latest version, and results from the division’s satisfaction survey reflect strong confidence in several key areas.
Satisfaction with the overall quality of education came in at 92.40 per cent, reflecting positive views on programming and educational outcomes. The instruction, assessment and inclusion category scored 91.13 per cent, measuring satisfaction with technology use, student engagement, assessment methods, and inclusive strategies. This category also includes satisfaction with teachers, communication of student progress, and extracurricular activities.
The safe and welcoming learning environment category received 88.41 per cent satisfaction, which includes perceptions of school safety, discipline, behavior expectations, and students feeling secure in all areas of the school.
Satisfaction with leadership came in at 87.04 per cent, evaluating areas such as school administration, parent council roles, decision-making opportunities, and the visibility and recognition of school leaders.
The division also reaffirmed its commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action specific to education. In June 2024, Pembina Hills signed a Métis Education Services Agreement (MESA) with Rupertsland Institute and the Métis Nation of Alberta to support teaching and learning about Métis history and culture for all students and staff. In August 2024, a new learning space named mâmawapôwin was created in collaboration with Sandra Davenport, Language Consultant with Rupertsland Institute.
On the infrastructure side, the division has outlined its capital priorities. Modernization at Barrhead Composite High School is already underway, with construction partners confirmed. The next priorities are partial upgrades at Barrhead Elementary School and Westlock Elementary School, followed by rightsizing and modernization at Swan Hills School.
The 2025–26 budget has been finalized, though it posed challenges due to a $4.5 million reduction in provincial funding.
Currently, the division serves 3,624 students across 11 community schools, two Colony schools, and two Outreach schools. Vista Virtual School supports an additional 6,208 online students, including 1,446 full-time and 4,762 part-time learners ranging from school-aged children to adults. Early Learning programs have 150 students, with 104 funded by Alberta Education and 46 enrolled as play partners.
The three-year education plan will be submitted to the province by May 31.
