The Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) is considering adding Enhanced Programming through Academies.

Superintendent of the WRSD, Brad Volkman says some school divisions have started to offer enhanced educational opportunities that go beyond the required curriculum.

“For example, some school divisions have sports related academies (hockey or baseball). Others have academies focused on agriculture, fine arts or even things like flight and aviation. Students enrolled in the academy take a few special courses during the school day that the rest of the students in the school do not take,” adds Volkman.

“We have been discussing this as a school division because we want to offer our students as many opportunities as possible. There are many advantages to being part of a rural school division where schools tend to be smaller and have a stronger sense of community and family,” he explains.

However, Volkman, says smaller schools are not always able to offer a wide breadth of programming in some optional subject areas compared to larger urban schools. He believes having an acadamy within the WRSD would help increase what they are currently offering.

Before the WRSD decides if they are moving forward with this, Volkman says they need to find out if there is parent and student interest. He says they also need to find out if there is expertise in the community to help them offer the academy.

“For example, in order to offer a flight or aviation academy, we would need the expertise and equipment of a flight school,” notes Volkman.

According to Volkman, the WRSD is having an Umbrella School Council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 3, to further discuss the topic with school representatives. However, he says a decision would not be made at this time.

“We are at the very initial stages of discussing this possibility and further research and information gathering will be required before a decision is made,” adds Volkman.

Volkman also touched on the enrollment numbers for the WRSD, saying their 2022-23 enrollment has 4,475 students, which Volkman acknowledges as a modest increase from their 2021-22 enrollment numbers.