Catholic board floats 4-year high school option

Academic experience could be enhanced, but some trustees worry about cost, crowding

A fourth year of high school would be framed as a viable option instead of a sign of trouble if Edmonton Catholic school trustees have their way.

Earlier this week, the board passed a motion to lobby their colleagues across Alberta to accept a “four-year pathway” to a high school diploma as a choice to be promoted to students right from Grade 10.

“It’s something that people don’t want to talk about. It’s almost like, if I don’t do it in three (years), there’s something wrong with me. That’s not at all the case,” trustee Debbie Engel said.

Saying a push for all students to graduate within three years is unnecessary, and sometimes disadvantageous, school board chairperson Laura Thibert said offering students the flexibility to do four or five years of high school would give them the chance to take more classes that interest them instead of powering through all the courses they need for college or university.

Their academic performance might improve with less pressure, and their high-school experiences might be more gratifying.

The option may be particularly relevant given a money-saving change in this year’s budget where the government will only fund school boards for up to 45 credits per student each year, down from 60 credits a year.

Edmonton Catholic superintendent Joan Carr said that change is anticipated to cost the district between $1.8 million and $2 million next year.

Several trustees questioned why a push to formalize a four-year approach was necessary, since hundreds of students across Alberta take a fourth or fifth year of high school already.

The government will fund the education of anyone younger than 20 at the beginning of the school year.

Some students can’t stay in their community school and must go to alternative programs for a fourth or fifth year, administrators said.

“By not making it official, when a student does not complete in three years, it’s still easy to say, you still have the option of a fourth,” said Joe Naccarato, assistant superintendent of learning services. “But they’re stigmatized already. They’re considered a ‘non-completer.’”

Trustee Marilyn Bergstra said she has plenty of empathy for the stress students face, but questioned if making four years the norm could drive up education costs.

Trustee Patricia Grell asked whether promoting this option would cause even more problems in the city’s packed high schools. Edmonton Catholic high schools are on track to be 97 per cent full by 2021.

Administrators were unsure how much the cultural shift would affect the district’s bottom line.

It’s almost like, if I don’t do it in three (years), there’s something wrong with me. That’s not at all the case.