Jun. 27, 2024
To Students and Parents,
As the school year ends, I would like to extend my congratulations to Alberta’s students on another great year. Whether you are coming back for another year this fall, or starting the next chapter of your life, I hope you find some time to relax with friends and family over the summer.
This past school year was a great one for students, educators, and parents. Fourteen new schools opened their doors to students to pursue their education and passions. Our new and improved Grade 4 to 6 math and English language arts, and K-3 for French language arts and literature curriculum is putting students on the path to success as they move through their educational journey. We also saw Alberta’s first collegiate schools begin to welcome students. These unique schools offer immersive hands-on programming which gives students a head start as they transition into the workforce and post-secondary education.
As we look ahead, I am excited to see students benefit from as many as 67 new school projects, scheduled for completion over the next three years. This includes five additional collegiate schools set to open this fall, and expanded mental health supports through our historic expansion of CASA classrooms. Furthermore, starting next school year, we are taking strong action to limit distractions, strengthen academic success, and safeguard student mental health by limiting the use of personal mobile devices and social media in the classroom.
I would like to thank parents for tirelessly supporting their children. As a father of two girls, I know that what a child needs for academic success does not end when the school day does. From helping with homework to driving kids to after-school commitments, and everything in between, a parent is never truly off-the-clock.
Last, but not at all least, I want to recognize the teachers and educational staff that make this all possible. Alberta’s teachers should be proud of the world-class status they facilitate in their classrooms every day, with Alberta ranking second in the world in reading and science outcomes in the latest PISA rankings.
I wish you all the best this summer and look forward to the upcoming school year. Thank you to all the parents, teachers, education staff and students for being part of the 2023/24 school year.
Best,
The Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides ECA PhD
Minister of Education
