Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General
Q: Why was this decision made?
J.H. Picard is a strong French Immersion K–12 school with healthy enrolment in elementary and junior high. High school enrolment, however, remains low, which limits course options, extracurricular opportunities, and overall high school experience for students.
Q: What is being implemented?
The Division is implementing a dual-track high school model at J.H. Picard, introducing an English academic program alongside the existing French Immersion program.
Q: What is the difference between a single and dual-track school?
A single‑track school offers one language program. A dual‑track school offers two language programs within the same building.
Q: When will the English academic program begin at J. H. Picard School?
The English academic program will begin in September 2027.
Q: Which grades will be offered initially?
The program will be phased in to ensure quality. It will begin with Grade 10 and expand each school year as follows:
- 2027–2028: Grade 10
- 2028–2029: Grades 10 and 11
- 2029–2030: Grades 10, 11, and 12
Q: Does the current facility have space to accommodate a larger high school population?
Yes. The school is currently operating at 91% utilization. As enrolment grows, the Division will ensure all students can be accommodated.
Q: How will the Division ensure all students can be accommodated?
The Division has requested funding to demolish St. Margaret School, which shares a schoolyard with J.H. Picard, and construct a new K–9 French Immersion school on that site. This would allow the existing J.H. Picard building to serve as a dedicated high school campus.
Q: When will the demolition of St. Margaret and the construction of the new K-9 school happen?
No funding has been announced. ECSD will continue to advocate for these capital projects with the Alberta Government.
Q: What happens if the student population outgrows the current school before funding is announced?
If the student population outgrows the current school before funding is announced, we can request modular classrooms to be installed at the site.
Q: If a new school is built, will there be another school council and society, or will one group have to support two schools?
Each school will have its own parent council and society, and the Division will support parents in establishing these groups.
Program Details & French Immersion Protection
Q: How will the school ensure that FI remains an integral part of the identity of the school?
French Immersion will remain an integral part of the identity of the school through dedicated leadership, protected instructional time in French, and the continued inclusion of French language and culture in daily school life.
Q: What new academic options will be available?
Program planning will take place during the 2026–2027 school year. Families will receive a viewbook in January 2027 and be invited to an open house in Spring 2027, to learn more.
Q: Will there be entrance requirements for the English academic program?
The English academic program will have entrance requirements. Students must achieve a minimum of 75% in each Grade 9 core subject to be eligible.
Q: Do entrance requirements apply to French Immersion?
No. French Immersion will continue without entrance requirements.
Q: Will expanded enrolment mean that courses will be offered more frequently?
Yes. With expanded enrolment, more courses will be offered, allowing for more flexibility in a student's schedule. More information will be shared in 2027 as course details are finalized.
Enrolment, Class Size, & School Experience
Q: How will increased enrolment affect class size?
Increased enrolment brings increased funding, enabling the school to hire more teachers and manage class sizes.
Q: Will the dual-track model create a hierarchy between programs?
No. Both programs will be supported equitably and contribute to a shared culture.
Staffing & Teacher Workload
Q: How will the school recruit sufficient bilingual teachers?
The Division actively recruits French language teachers throughout the year. Additional English-language teachers will also be hired to support expanded programming.
Q: How will teaching assignments be supported as the new English academic program is introduced at J.H. Picard?
At J.H. Picard, teaching assignments are aligned with program offerings and teacher qualifications. As the English academic program is introduced, qualified teachers will be hired to support the implementation of this program. Assignments are made based on the courses being offered, ensuring appropriate staffing to meet program needs.
Transportation, Boundaries, & Access
Q: Will transportation continue for French Immersion students and will English academic students be eligible?
Yellow busing will continue for K-12 French Immersion students. However, English academic students are not eligible for yellow busing. The preferred transportation method for Grades 7-12 students is Edmonton Transit Service (ETS).
Q: Will catchment areas be adjusted to support a dual-track school?
Yes. Catchment area adjustments will occur to balance utilization between J.H. Picard and Archbishop MacDonald.
Sports Teams, Clubs, and Extracurricular Opportunities
Q: How will expanded enrolment translate into more sport teams, clubs, and extra-curriculars?
A larger high school student and staff population make it easier to form teams, sustain clubs, and offer a broad range of extracurricular opportunities. Increased enrolment also helps meet participation requirements and supports a more typical and well-rounded high school experience.