Northern Lights Public Schools' 2024-2025 Annual Education Results Report (AERR) reveals the division is making progress at addressing its priorities. Despite a year in which the division experienced many challenges, the AERR highlights growth in academic achievement, student mental well-being, and parent satisfaction.
Parent participation in last year's provincial Assurance Survey increased by 30%, the highest level in four years. This increased engagement was accompanied by a 4-5% rise in satisfaction across every measured category, including a 4.9% increase in satisfaction with parental involvement in decisions about their child's education.
"We appreciate that more parents are engaged and taking the opportunity to share their perspectives," said Board Chair Karen Packard. "Seeing increased satisfaction indicates that the strategies in our Education are beginning to make a difference for our students and their families."
Mental Health
The division's focus on Student Well-Being is showing a clear upward trend. According to the 2024-2025 Student Mental Health Survey:
- 98.4% of K-2 students feel encouraged to do their best at school;
- Over 85% of students in grades 3-6 feel hopeful about the future and have the ability to understand and manage their feelings.
The data shows incremental improvements at all grade levels over the last three years, demonstrating that the strategies implemented across the division to support students are having a positive impact.
Student Achievement
Academically, there has been growth in many areas, particularly at the grades 9-12 level. In Grade 9, Provincial Achievement Tests improved at the acceptable standard in three of four core subjects and at the standard of excellence in all subjects.
At the high school level, NLPS students outperformed the provincial average on the English 30-2, Math 30-2, and Social Studies 30-1 diploma exams. The percentage of students meeting the acceptable standard rose in seven subject areas, and the standard of excellence increased in seven areas.
The division also continues to expand opportunities for students to explore career pathways, including introducing new dual credit opportunities through the Northeast Alberta Collegiate Institute, a partnership with other local school jurisdictions and Portage College. Parent satisfaction in this area has also increased, with 75.8% of parents agreeing that students are taught attitudes and behaviours that will make them successful at work when they finish school, an increase of 16.7% from the previous year.
"These results are evidence of the commitment our staff has made to improve student achievement and student mental well-being, even while navigating emergent challenges," said Superintendent Rick Cusson. "It also speaks to the strong connections our staff have built with parents and our communities to create better opportunities for every student.
