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Mallaig, Regional among fastest improving schools in province

The results are in and although the Fraser Institute’s annual report cards on provincial schools can sometimes face criticism, this year’s results showcase the hard work being done in local schools, with Mallaig School coming out on top as the fastes
The Fraser Institute’s annual report cards on Alberta’s schools name Mallaig as the fastest improving school, and Regional School as fourth fastest improving in
The Fraser Institute’s annual report cards on Alberta’s schools name Mallaig as the fastest improving school, and Regional School as fourth fastest improving in the province, based on five academic indicators from Grade 12 province-wide testing.

The results are in and although the Fraser Institute’s annual report cards on provincial schools can sometimes face criticism, this year’s results showcase the hard work being done in local schools, with Mallaig School coming out on top as the fastest improving school in Alberta, and Regional High School not far behind as the fourth fastest improving school.

The Fraser Institute released the results from the Report Card on Alberta’s High Schools on July 23. The report rates 307 public, private, separate and charter schools based on five academic indicators from Grade 12 province-wide testing, great-to-grade transition and graduation rates.

Special mention was given to École Mallaig School in the provincial media release, pointing out that it’s a public school in northeastern Alberta with 25 per cent of its students being identified as special needs learners.

Mallaig’s overall rating has steadily improved to 7.7/10 in 2015, from 3.5/10 in 2011.

When principal Tom Whitfield first saw the link to the story written about the results, he admits that he needed a moment to collect his emotions.

“To see our school being described that way on a provincial level is very rewarding for all of us,” says Whitfield. “Our school is driven by dedicated and caring staff, and hardworking students who enjoy the support of the wider community.”

But, despite the positive results, Whitfield notes, “one assessment can never fully capture everything that makes a school community successful.” He adds later that reports like the one done by the Fraser Institute has its place, “but it is “not the definition of what we do. We will use it as the fuel we need to keep striving to be the best we can be, at everything we do.”

St. Paul Regional High School also performed well on the report, listed as the fourth fastest improving school from 2011 to 2015. Regional went from 5.6/10 in 2011 to an impressive 8.0/10, placing is in 28th place overall in the rankings.

St. Paul Education Regional Division superintendent Glen Brodziak was “very, very pleased” with this year’s results on the report.

“When people are dedicated, when you have parents, students, staff all committed to a common goal, it shows what can be accomplished,” says Brodziak.

When speaking about Mallaig and Regional High School specifically, Brodziak says, “It’s an entire team. It’s the community . . . and the leadership there, all pulling together.”

Brodziak also notes that at the end of the day, the positive results belong to the students, and the main goal is always the same – to help those students achieve whatever goals they want to pursue.

The superintendent says that this year’s Fraser Institute report card is a good news story for the entire division. Many other schools are also achieving well on the report card.

Brodziak also notes that the division takes some issue with the Fraser report because “our schools are about so much more than what the Fraser measures.” But, internal data also points to the fact that SPERD students are doing well.

“Day in and day out, the students are learning the outcomes needed . . . and as a parent, that’s what I would want for my children.”

SPERD board chair Heather Starosielski also notes that she too struggles with the idea of “ranking” schools, since each school is unique, “and in no way cookie cutter.”

“I do appreciate that the Fraser Report is one form of measurement that has some value to assessing school improvement,” she says, adding, “The board also relies on other data from Alberta Education and our own surveys to monitor success.”

But, like Whitfield and Brodziak, Starosielski is also pleased to see the steady improvements taking place.

“All of our administration and educators work hard to see these advancements.”

Other local schools that are included on the list include: FG Miller in Elk Point, which scored an 8.1/10. Glendon School scored a 3.0/10, and Ashmont School scored a 0.9/10.

Visit https://www.fraserinstitute.org to get more information on the annual report card rankings.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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