The Department of Education is reviewing the potential for grade reconfigurations among four schools within the current Prince of Wales Collegiate School System, including St. Andrew’s Elementary, Larkhall Academy, Leary’s Brook Junior High, and Prince of Wales Collegiate. This is due to capacity challenges at the primary/elementary school level.
Beginning this coming September, the following changes are being considered to best accommodate the changing demographics of the school community while optimizing current school infrastructure:
- St. Andrew’s Elementary and Larkhall Academy will be reconfigured to Kindergarten to Grade 4. As a result, current Grade 4 students at St. Andrew’s and Larkhall Academy advancing to Grade 5 in September 2024 will transition one year earlier to Leary’s Brook Junior High, which is the current feeder school.
- Leary’s Brook Junior High will be reconfigured to Grades 5-8. As a result, current Grade 8 students at Leary’s Brook advancing to Grade 9 in September 2024 will transition one year earlier to Prince of Wales Collegiate, which is the current feeder school.
- Prince of Wales Collegiate will be reconfigured as a Grade 9-Level IV school.
There will be no changes to catchment areas for students and no changes to the grade configuration of Beachy Cove Elementary or Brookside Intermediate, which also feed into the Prince of Wales Collegiate school system.
The grade reconfiguration of the Prince of Wales Collegiate School System is anticipated to be an interim measure until planning and construction are finalized on new school builds in Kenmount Terrace and Portugal Cove-St. Philips.
Further information will be shared with the school community later today and feedback on the proposed grade reconfiguration will be sought from all members of the school community, including students, staff, parents and families. It is anticipated that a final decision related to the reconfiguration will be made by April 30 to allow schools and families appropriate time to prepare for the new school year.
The Provincial Government is taking action to modernize the education system, including building new infrastructure to meet the needs of students, teachers, and communities. Budget 2024 provides over $52 million for school infrastructure, as well as $146 million allocated over next three years for new schools in Cartwright, Kenmount Terrace, Portugal Cove-St. Philips, and Pilley’s Island, and planning for a new high school in Paradise.
Quote
“The reconfiguration of the Prince of Wales Collegiate school system is necessary to alleviate capacity pressures being experienced in some schools while leveraging available space in other schools. A positive educational environment requires space to teach and learn, and these changes will support students and staff to do so.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education
-30-
Learn more
Public Engagement Process Begins for Kenmount Terrace School
Site Announced for New School in Kenmount Terrace
Location Unveiled for Site of New School in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s
Provincial Government to Build a New High School for Paradise
Follow us on X @GovNL and @EDU_GovNL
Like us on Facebook