Medicine Hat Catholic school division shows marked improvement on Alberta Education assurance measures

Deputy superintendent Nick Gale provided Medicine Hat Catholic Board trustees with the annual report on assurance measures by Alberta Education last week, with the division exceeding provincial scores in nearly every category.

The local division received an overall 90.9% rating in quality of education.

Monsignor McCoy High School saw an increase over last year in diploma acceptable standards from 71.6% to 79.5% with a 94.2% success rate for five-year high school completion. Notre Dame Academy had a perfect score of 100% for student learning engagement, 98% for education quality and 86% — compared to 66.3% provincially — for acceptable provincial achievement testing. St.

Mary’s School had high parental involvement at 85% and exceeded the provincial acceptable standard with a score of 76%.

The full report and breakdown for all schools can be found under the agenda for the Nov. 14 public meeting at https://www.mhcbe.ab.ca/ board/meetings-agendas.

The board also unanimously approved a motion for administration to request two modular classrooms for Notre Dame Academy from Alberta Education under the 2024-25 Modular Classroom Program.

Secretary treasurer Greg MacPherson explained Alberta Education has opened the program for 2024-24 school year requests and the modulars are needed to deal with enrolment pressures. Notre Dame is at 91% capacity, and projected growth estimates this will reach 95%.

Administration believes two modulars will provide more breathing room for the school, although a location is yet to be determined. The plan is to work with facilities and Notre Dame to come up with the best placement for the modulars. MHCBE expects to hear if the request has been approved by early 2024.