December 17, 2025
Edmonton Catholic Schools has completed the engagement process with families in the Big Lake community regarding the proposed redesignation of students to Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.
After reviewing all responses to the online questionnaire, Edmonton Catholic Schools is moving forward with changes to attendance areas, effective September 2026. We understand this transition will affect many families, and we are committed to supporting you through the transition.
What is Changing
Beginning next school year, all Kindergarten to Grade 9 students from the Big Lake area, including Trumpeter, Starling, Hawks Ridge, Kinglet Gardens, and Pintail Landing, will be redesignated to Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.
This decision reflects both the strong support expressed by many families and the Division’s commitment to balancing proximity, transportation, and community needs while respecting the concerns raised.
For the 2026-2027 School Year:
- Yellow bus service will be provided for Big Lake students attending Bishop David Motiuk.
- Families who choose to remain at Annunciation may do so, but transportation will not be provided.
- Families with students in Grades 7 and 8 currently attending St. Thomas More may choose to remain. Yellow bus service will continue until June 2028. After that, bus service to STM will no longer be available for Big Lake students.
Attendance Area
An attendance area is the neighbourhood or region assigned to a school. To view the updated attendance areas for Bishop David Motiuk, St. Thomas More, and Annunciation schools, open the dropdown below.
Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School Attendance Area
Annunciation Catholic Elementary School Attendance Area
St. Thomas More Catholic Junior High School Attendance Area
What We Heard
Through an online questionnaire, families shared a wide range of perspectives:
- Supportive voices emphasized proximity, reduced commute times, and reliable yellow bus service.
- Opposing voices highlighted continuity of relationships, programming, and stability for children already thriving at Annunciation or St. Thomas More.
- Transportation emerged as the single most important factor, with 67% of respondents identifying yellow bus service as “very important.”
- Families requested clear communication, timelines, and opportunities to tour Bishop David Motiuk to ease the transition.
Next Steps
Pre-enrolment for the 2026–2027 school year opens on Monday, February 2, 2026. Log into PowerSchool and select your preferred school by clicking the “Pre-Enrolment for Next Year” icon.
In the new year, families will be invited to tour Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School and meet the staff. This is an opportunity to learn about the school and connect with the community.
Located in the Lewis Estates neighbourhood, Bishop David Motiuk opened in 2017 and is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. It offers the IB Primary Years Programme for Kindergarten to Grade 5 and the IB Middle Years Programme for Grades 6 to 9.
The school is equipped with two gymnasiums, a chapel, a wood shop, dedicated art and drama spaces, a vibrant Learning Commons, a foods lab, and a makerspace. Students can take part in a variety of extracurricular clubs, sports teams, and activities that encourage them to explore interests, develop skills, and build friendships.
Families are invited to learn more at the Bishop David Motiuk Open House on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM.
If you have any questions, please email engagement@ecsd.net
How We Got Here
Background Information
From November 27 to December 3, 2025, Edmonton Catholic Schools engaged families from the Big Lake community to gather feedback on a proposed redesignation of students to Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School beginning September 2026. The process included an explainer video and an online questionnaire, which received 42 responses. Families shared their level of support, key factors influencing decisions, and suggestions for supports such as transportation and communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What has been decided for students living in the Big Lake area?
A: Beginning in September 2026, all K–9 students from the Big Lake area will be designated to attend Bishop David Motiuk Catholic School instead of the current pathway of Annunciation (K–6) and St. Thomas More (7–9).
Q: Why was this change made?
A: The redesignation supports long‑term planning to balance enrolment, improve utilization, and align school boundaries with student needs and community growth. Bishop David Motiuk offers a K–9 model that will serve families in the area and is located closer to the Big Lake community, reducing travel time.
Q: When will this change take effect?
A: The new designation will begin September 2026, for the 2026–2027 school year.
Q: Will transportation be provided?
A: Yes. Yellow bus service will be provided to Bishop David Motiuk for all K–9 students living in the Big Lake area. Families who choose to remain at Annunciation will need to arrange their own transportation. Grade 7–8 students currently attending St. Thomas More will continue to receive yellow bus service until June 2028. After that, bus service to STM will no longer be available for Big Lake students.
Q: Will current students be affected immediately?
A: Families may choose to remain at their current schools, but transportation to Annunciation will not be provided after the redesignation takes effect. Students staying at St. Thomas More will continue to receive yellow bus service until June 2028.
Q: Can families choose to remain at Annunciation or STM?
A: Yes. Families may choose to remain at their current schools, but transportation will not be provided after the redesignation takes effect (except for current STM Grade 7–8 students until June 2028).
Q: What supports will be available during the transition?
A: Families will receive clear communication and timelines, and opportunities will be provided to tour Bishop David Motiuk and meet staff before the transition.
Q: Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?
A: Please reach out to your school principal or email engagement@ecsd.net for general inquiries.