Lloydminster Public School Division

Bridging Provinces and Building Futures

 

A cross-provincial school division thriving on collaboration and community partnerships

Success for students and schools alike requires leadership that can consistently bring forth on-the-ground initiatives that reflect the unique needs of its communities.

Thankfully, students living in surrounding Alberta and Saskatchewan communities routinely have those needs met thanks to the diligence of the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD).

This division’s leaders consistently align their strategies with provincial and federal education goals while fostering strong partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and Indigenous groups.

Collaborating with colleges and universities to offer dual-credit programs is commonplace and the division ensures that it places equal emphasis on things like expanding STEM, developing a trades-focused curriculum, and embedding Indigenous perspectives into learning.

Equally crucial, Lloydminster recognizes the need to strengthen support systems that address the holistic needs of students and staff.

Mental health initiatives, inclusive practices, and robust teacher professional development programs are in place to ensure that educators are equipped to meet diverse learning needs.

Additionally, offering resources for both French and English language learners, supporting Indigenous students, and implementing trauma-informed teaching strategies are particularly important in the Canadian context, where diversity and reconciliation are key national priorities.

The division also prioritizes creating welcoming spaces for all students, including raising awareness of treaties and Indigenous rights through flag-raising ceremonies and integrating cultural education.

This is facilitated by effective communication between schools and families that is supported by real-time digital platforms that are vital for keeping parents informed and engaged in their child’s education.

The Lloydminster Public School Division’s success is measured by more than grades and numbers.

It’s measured by its ability to cultivate inclusive, innovative learning environments where every student can succeed, and the community thrives in a spirit of collaboration and respect.

 

A Unique Cross-Provincial School Division

Lloydminster Public School Division operates under a uniquely challenging yet enriching situation.

The city of Lloydminster, which is geographically split between the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, presents an educational landscape unlike any other in Canada.

The LPSD has navigated this dual-provincial setup by serving students on both sides of the provincial boundary, leveraging the policies and programs of two different educational ministries.

The history of Lloydminster’s educational structure traces back to the early 1900s. Over the years, school divisions in both provinces gradually amalgamated, culminating in a single school division.

The fusion of one city in two provinces required the development of an unprecedented agreement called the Lloydminster Charter, which continues to govern how municipal and educational matters are managed across provincial lines.

Today, the division operates nine schools, with about 40% of its student population living on the Saskatchewan side and 60% on the Alberta side.

All schools, however, operate under Saskatchewan’s curriculum, allowing a sense of unity across the divide.

This cross-provincial model creates unique opportunities that have shaped LPSD’s identity as a community cornerstone.

“We have a history of making our facilities available to the public… so, we’re very well known as a community partner,” explains Director of Education Jason Neville, highlighting the division’s frontline connection to the needs of the community.

For example, the city’s track, used for the Saskatchewan Summer Games, is a shared resource between the city and the division.

LPSD prides itself on making its facilities available to the community whenever possible, fostering strong relationships between the school system and the broader Lloydminster population.

One of LPSD’s most significant milestones has been the recent expansion of Lloydminster Comprehensive High School, an ambitious project that introduced 14 new classrooms, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, STEM classrooms, a cultural room, and a fully equipped videography and photography studio.

“The interesting thing about the expansion is that it triggered some opportunities we’d been looking for. It’s allowing us to do a grade reconfiguration… and at the same time, it triggered another opportunity where we were able to provide serious upgrades to facilities for each high school,” says Board Chair David Thompson.

The additions also included a massive gymnasium, which was funded in partnership with the City of Lloydminster, the Synergy Credit Union, and both the Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial governments.

This new facility, SynergyPlace, has become a shared community space that is, of course, available to residents outside of school hours.

Strong Initiatives, Vital Partnerships, and Student Achievement

In recent years, LPSD has taken a focused approach to address student well-being through several key partnerships aimed at promoting mental health.

The division has launched programs like “SHINE” (Strong Healthy Individuals Navigating Emotions), an MHCB initiative which supports middle and elementary school students in collaboration with Alberta Health, and “LITE” (Leading Individuals Towards Engaged Mental Health) an MHISB (Mental Health in Schools Pilot) initiative which is supported by Alberta Education and partnering with the Lloydminster Area Drug Strategy.

Moreover, a recent grant from Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health for the Mental Health Capacity Building initiative targets high school students.

This initiative provides a community coordinator and mental health promoter, working to connect students and families with vital support services in the region, while also helping teachers enhance their capacity to address mental health challenges within classrooms.

These initiatives align with LPSD’s larger mission to provide students with a sense of safety, belonging, and achievement.

Additionally, the division has proudly raised the Treaty 6 and Métis Nation flags in all nine of its schools, symbolizing its focus on inclusivity and respect for Indigenous cultures.

It has created academies and specialized programs to meet students’ diverse interests.

“We’ve created programs at the Elementary and middle school levels… just so that students with special interests in certain areas can focus a bit more,” Neville explains.

At the elementary and middle school levels, students can participate in sports academies for hockey, volleyball, basketball, and general fitness, while the high school offers pathways in land-based education, the arts, and sports.

These academies and pathways have provided students with opportunities to engage more deeply in subjects that spark their passion.

At the high school level, LPSD has introduced dual-credit programming in partnership with Lakeland College, allowing students to earn post-secondary credits while still completing their high school education.

“We provide many choices and opportunities for students, and not just at the high school level… We’ll allow every student the opportunity to find their path and what works best for them,” says Chief Financial Officer Matthew Read.

LPSD’s commitment to academic excellence has also been recognized on a national level.

Over the past two years, students from the division have advanced to national competitions in various trades and technology fields.

Two teachers within the division were also recently honored with prestigious awards: the Arbos Award from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation and the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in STEM teaching.

 

A Forward-Looking Vision for the Modern Learning Experience

In keeping with its focus on innovation, LPSD has embraced technology to enhance both classroom learning and communication between students, parents, and educators.

Google Classroom and Edsby, the division’s primary platforms for managing student information, offer real-time updates on student progress, allowing for more transparent and timely communication.

These tools have become indispensable for ensuring that parents stay informed about their children’s achievements and challenges throughout the school year.

Moreover, LPSD’s partnership with PowerSchool Technologies supports its enterprise software for human resources, finance, and payroll, streamlining its internal operations and making it more efficient to serve its students and staff.

As Lloydminster continues to grow, LPSD remains committed to expanding its diverse range of programs and services to meet the evolving needs of its student population.

Plans are underway to expand land-based programming, improve dual-credit opportunities, and refine the recently introduced pathways programs to offer even more specialized courses.

These initiatives will further enhance the division’s ability to cater to individual student interests and career aspirations, ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed.

Additionally, LPSD continues to focus on the safety and well-being of its students.

A planned renovation for one of the division’s buildings will improve security by relocating the main office for better visibility and expanding the gymnasium, providing both practical and safety enhancements.

Mental health remains a top priority as well, with the division committed to finding new ways to support its students, families, and teachers in navigating the growing challenges related to mental well-being.

Despite the complexities of operating within two provinces, Lloydminster Public School Division has demonstrated a remarkable ability to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.

Through strategic partnerships, a forward-thinking approach to education, and a deep commitment to student achievement and well-being, the division continues to set a high standard in Canadian education.

The Lloydminster Public School Division is poised to reach even greater heights, providing its students with the skills, support, and opportunities they need to succeed in an ever-evolving world.

AT A GLANCE

Lloydminster Public School Division

What: A top-of-the-line school division operating in a unique cross-provincial context, offering an exceptional education that reflects the needs of the community.

Where: Lloydminster, Canada — Serving both Alberta and Saskatchewan

Website: https://www.lpsd.ca/