The Department of Education is changing the grade configurations among four schools within the Prince of Wales Collegiate School System to take effect for the 2024-25 school year. This is due to capacity challenges at the primary/elementary school level.

On April 18, 2024, the department engaged the school community on the proposed changes that would affect St. Andrew’s Elementary, Larkhall Academy, Leary’s Brook Junior High and Prince of Wales Collegiate. Feedback was received from 616 students, staff, parents, and families on the proposed changes.

Beginning this September, the following changes will take effect 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.

The grade reconfiguration 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.

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. Appropriate busing will be in place to support the new configuration in the 2024-25 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.

Quotes
“This reconfiguration will better support students and staff in this school system to have a positive educational experience in appropriate learning spaces. I thank the many students, staff, and parents who shared feedback on this grade reconfiguration. Further information will be shared with the school communities in the coming weeks and months to ensure that all concerns are addressed and to support students and staff as they move to their new schools.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

“Thank you to the Department of Education for making changes to help alleviate space pressures for this upcoming September. Thanks to the teachers, administrators, parents, and students for working with government on this change which will help improve everyone’s ability to learn. I look forward to construction commencing on the new school in Kenmount Terrace!”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL and MHA for Mount Scio

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Learn more
Grade Reconfiguration Proposed for Prince of Wales Collegiate School System

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 

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