August 2024 Civil and Municipal Education Public Sector

Buffalo Trail Public Schools – Rural Alberta, Canada

August 28, 2024

Buffalo Trail Public Schools

Building on a Strong Foundation of Education and Community Partnerships

Shaping the future of education through innovative programs, strategic investments, and robust community partnerships.

Buffalo Trail Public Schools (BTPS), operating out of Wainwright, Alberta, is a comprehensive educational division in East-Central Alberta, Canada. It serves approximately 4,000 Kindergarten to Grade 12 students across 26 schools, including specialized sites like eight Hutterite Colony Schools and an Outreach/Learning Hub. The division spans around 14,250 square kilometers and employs about 525 teachers and support staff.

Known for its high student graduation and post-secondary transition rates, BTPS focuses on creating a supportive and effective learning environment. Governed by nine trustees representing different wards, the school division is committed to honoring its historical and cultural location on Treaty 6 territory.

Under the guidance of Superintendent Michelle Webb, BTPS is maximizing student learning within a nurturing, supportive framework. “Our mission,” she explains, “is to provide a safe and caring environment supported by a highly effective team.” This mission forms the backbone of BTPS’s four-year education plan, shaping all decisions and initiatives within the district.

Assistant Superintendent James Trodden elaborates on this plan, highlighting three main priorities. “Firstly, we focus on supporting learning success for all students. This includes emphasizing strong numeracy and literacy skills, preparing students for life beyond K-12, and enriching the learning experiences provided by our exceptionally talented staff.”

Trodden continues, “The second priority is fostering a safe and caring learning environment. We take pride in our rural culture, creating spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of both staff and student wellness.” The third priority emphasizes the importance of community connections. “Building strong collaborations within our rural community is essential,” says Trodden. “This involves connecting with families and various community partners to support our students effectively.”

Webb points out how the district nurtures young learners in discussing early childhood programs. “We offer kindergarten programs with government-provided program unit funding to support services for three and four-year-olds in our communities.”

Board Chair Kara Jackson adds, “We also have agreements with different communities to house preschool programs within our buildings. Although these preschools are not directly connected to Buffalo Trail Public Schools, they benefit from being in the same environment. This arrangement fosters a holistic sense of continuity and safety as children progress from preschool to kindergarten and eventually graduate from our division.”

STEM and Soft Skills in Early Education

At the forefront of educational innovation, Buffalo Trail Public Schools integrates STEM education with essential communication and literacy skills from the early grades. This dual focus aims to prepare students comprehensively for the future, blending cutting-edge science and technology initiatives with fundamental soft skills development.

Assistant Superintendent Trodden explains how these efforts stem from the Board’s priority of achieving student success. “We are implementing a new science curriculum with dedicated funding. We’re focusing on K-3 this year, and next year, we’ll move to grades 4-6. Our approach combines curriculum alignment with technology and leverages our rural setting.”

BTPS utilizes its rural advantages to make STEM education more relevant and hands-on. “Many of our schools have greenhouses that double as classrooms and agricultural programs that include livestock, such as chickens. When teaching about forests and trees, we take students out into nature, making learning immersive and practical,” Trodden notes. He adds that one school will launch a land-based program for junior high students next year, where core learning will occur outdoors, closely tied to the curriculum.

Trodden emphasizes that communication and literacy skills are embedded within all subjects. “Our focus on literacy and numeracy is evident from the start. Professional development for school leaders and teachers ensures these skills are integrated into everyday learning. Literacy and numeracy are part of the process of teaching science or social studies.”

Addressing the learning gaps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, BTPS has implemented screening assessments for young students. “These assessments guide interventions and support on an individualized level, and we are already seeing improvements,” Trodden reports. The district has also developed instructional profiles to gauge student cognitive engagement, which has led to notable gains in learning depth across literacy, numeracy, and technology.

Bridging Education and Real-World Experience

In addition to its strong foundation in early education, Buffalo Trail Public Schools is committed to equipping older students with the skills and experiences necessary for their future careers. The school district emphasizes practical, real-world experiences that prepare students for their future careers. Partnerships with local businesses and higher education institutions are crucial in providing these opportunities.

Superintendent Webb describes a significant collaboration with Lakeland College, which has been instrumental in offering diverse high school career and technology training programs. “We’re fortunate to have Lakeland College within our division. They provide robust career and technology training to students in grades 10 to 12. Programs include mechanics, welding, carpentry, electrical, esthetics, hairstyling, and interior design,” she explains.

Moreover, through this partnership, grade 12 students benefit from university-level courses in psychology and sociology. “These courses are free for our students and transferable to universities nationwide. Some of our students achieve higher grades than their first-year university counterparts,” Webb proudly notes. Additionally, students can complete a full year of apprenticeship in welding and automotive technician courses, culminating in writing their apprenticeship and training exams.

Trodden expands on the variety of work experience programs available. “We have a robust work experience program where students partner with various job sites to learn essential skills. This can range across multiple fields, leading to internship programs for more in-depth exposure. Additionally, we offer registered apprenticeship programs, where students work alongside journeymen, logging hours that count toward their future qualifications.”

One unique aspect of BTPS’s approach is the green certificate program tailored for students interested in agribusiness. “Our students can specialize in areas such as cow and calf, poultry, grain, and equine,” Trodden explains. “They undergo rigorous training and testing, ultimately earning a green certificate, which is recognized and valued by colleges and businesses.”

Strategic Investments in Education and Infrastructure

Beyond its innovative educational programs, Buffalo Trail Public Schools strategically invests in critical areas to support and enhance the learning environment. These investments are geared towards strengthening high school programming, transportation, and facility maintenance to ensure education quality and students’ well-being across its rural communities.

Peter Neale, Secretary-Treasurer, emphasizes the district’s unique approach to high school education. “We prioritize high school programming within all our school communities, avoiding the composite high school model where students are bused to a central hub. This means investing in synchronous and asynchronous learning programs to ensure that even small schools with around 150 K-12 students offer a comprehensive education,” he explains.

Neale also highlights the district’s investments in transportation, which supports over half of its students daily across a vast 15,000 km² area. “We allocate nearly $7 million annually to maintain our transportation system. One of our Board’s success metrics is keeping student bus ride times to no more than 75 minutes per trip. To achieve this, we have increased our bus routes by three, totaling 94 routes,” he notes.

Investing in facility maintenance is another critical area for BTPS. “Maintaining numerous small community schools requires significant financial resources. Our operating budget allocates about $6 million for this purpose, with $2 million dedicated to custodial costs alone. This ensures our schools remain clean, safe, and functional,” Neale adds.

Cultivating Effective Educators

At Buffalo Trail Public Schools, the onboarding and continuous professional development of teachers is a top priority, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to deliver high-quality education. Assistant Superintendent Trodden explains the meticulous process:

“Our stakeholders emphasized the importance of highly effective staff, and the Board has incorporated this into our education plan, investing significantly in it. We onboard new teachers with a dedicated day focused on building on their strengths, a process that continues throughout their careers. We host two full division learning days for robust instruction and five learning days at the school level.”

BTPS employs innovation coaches who work alongside teachers, aiding in lesson planning and classroom instruction. “These coaches guide teachers directly, helping them elevate their instructional methods. School leaders, acting as instructional leaders, observe student engagement levels and support teachers in enhancing their teaching strategies,” he adds.

Board Chair Jackson highlights the engagement and continuous learning pursued by teachers. “Our staff actively seeks professional development opportunities within and outside the division. The feedback we receive indicates that teachers appreciate the value we place on their training and development, which also benefits student outcomes.”

Jackson also highlights the importance of teacher wellness and retention. “We hope to attract and retain talented educators by valuing and supporting our teachers. This commitment to their development and well-being positively impacts their performance and ultimately benefits our students.”

Trodden points out the Board’s active role in professional learning. “Our Board members, including Chair Jackson, attend division learning days, modeling engagement and support for our staff. This presence fosters a collaborative environment and reinforces the importance of ongoing professional development.”

Jackson agrees, noting the significance of Board involvement. “Our presence at these events signals our teachers that we value education and their professional growth. It helps build strong relationships and encourages, contributing to the overall success of our students.”

Key Partnerships and Future Initiatives

As Buffalo Trail Public Schools continues to innovate and expand, its partnerships with community stakeholders and strategic priorities are pivotal in shaping the district’s future.

Board Chair Jackson highlights Lakeland College as a crucial partner. “Lakeland College provides our students with valuable opportunities to enroll in diverse courses, enhancing their academic and career prospects,” she states. The longstanding collaboration with Lakeland College stands out due to the breadth and depth of programs offered, benefiting students across various disciplines.

Looking ahead, BTPS has several key priorities for the next 18 months. Jackson expresses excitement about the anticipated construction of a new Wainwright Elementary School. “This has been a top capital priority for our division for decades. We’re in the design planning phases and expect support from Alberta Education to break ground soon,” she notes.

In addition to new facilities, BTPS is exploring innovative educational pathways. “We are developing collegiate partnerships and collaborations with other school divisions to leverage expertise, professionals, and facilities,” Jackson explains. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Education’s goal to support careers in high demand and will benefit students not only within BTPS but also across Alberta.

Superintendent Webb concludes with the district’s ongoing focus on wellness. “We are committed to the wellness of our staff and students, ensuring it remains at the forefront of our efforts. In rural Alberta, it’s essential to advocate for the presence of professionals who can provide the necessary support,” she affirms.

By promoting strong partnerships and focusing on strategic initiatives, BTPS is poised to continue providing exceptional education and support to its community, ensuring a bright future for its students and staff.