Williams Lake could see the district revert to a two-high school model in the lakecity in the coming years in an effort to improve student success rates.
Since 2012, the high school configuration in Williams Lake consists of approximately 1,580 students total in both the Columneetza Secondary Campus for grades 7-9 and the Williams Lake Secondary Campus for grades 10-12.
Earlier this year, superintendent Chris van der Mark asked senior district staff in Williams Lake to “engage in focused conversations with school staff and stakeholders” to gauge initial responses and potential additional considerations of a high school reconfiguration, and report back to the board.
He points to significant educational research which highlights the negative impact school transitions can have on students’ educational outcomes. Eliminating the current middle school model will reduce those transitions and possibly mitigate the challenges some students face with transitions.
“Even a cursory glance reveals some significant benefits that would be immediate and create enhanced belonging and better student outcomes,” van der Mark noted of the possible benefits.
He added there are some significant structural issues that would also need to be considered, that may be prohibitive.
“For example, the configuration of the shop facilities is not ideal, even though it currently services both secondary sites. Similarly, there may be concerns of the schools being grade 7-12, rather than 8-12. It is unlikely surrounding schools have or will have the capacity to recapture 250 Grade 7 students,” he noted.
“In any event, we still need to be willing to examine them if we are to continue improving outcomes for students. Doing what we are doing will simply get the results we are getting. What can we do better?”
He confirmed at this point the district is gathering information on school configuration and not considering changes in the immediate future.
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