Red Deer Public Schools welcomes back 11,000 students Aug. 31
The division is rolling out a new Three-Year Education Plan and expanding classroom support teams as classes resume Monday.
Red Deer Public Schools says staff have spent the week preparing classrooms and learning plans ahead of the return of about 11,000 students on Monday, Aug. 31. The school year will be guided by a new Three-Year Education Plan focused on five priority areas: student growth and achievement, teaching and leading, learning supports, governance, and local and societal context.
A key focus this year is strengthening support for classroom complexity. The division is adding five new classroom complexity teams, bringing the total to 17 alongside the 12 established since last spring. These teams help teachers address diverse academic, behavioural, social-emotional and language needs. New bridge classrooms in elementary and K-8 schools will also offer specialized support for six to eight students in Grades 1-3, each staffed with one certified teacher and two educational assistants.
The plan also calls for identifying and implementing high-leverage instructional and assessment strategies division-wide. Students will continue accessing language programs, fine arts, athletics, trades, robotics, mechanics and clubs, along with Work Experience, the Registered Apprenticeship Program, Dual Credits and the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute.
The division is also continuing efforts to build welcoming and safe learning environments, including a training program called WITS aimed at promoting healthy relationships and reducing conflict among elementary students. In June, the Board of Trustees elected Nicole Buchanan as Chair and Nathan Davies as Vice Chair for the 2026-2027 school year.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.