School Viability Improvement Process
Each year, Edmonton Catholic Schools conducts a review of school viability to assess the long-term sustainability of all schools across the Division. The review takes place at the beginning of the calendar year and considers factors such as:
- Student enrolment and school utilization
- Educational programs and offerings
- Facility condition and infrastructure needs
- Operating and maintenance costs
The review helps identify schools that may require additional support through the Viability Improvement Process (VIP).
How School Viability is Assessed
Schools are reviewed annually based on a variety of factors, including:
- High utilization (more than 120% capacity)
- Low utilization (less than 60% capacity)
- Facility condition and associated costs
- Trends and changes over time
The Division monitors these factors each year to measure progress and identify opportunities for improvement.
Viability Improvement Process (VIP)
A Viability Improvement Process (VIP) may be implemented when a school is identified as having low or high utilization. The goal of VIP is to strengthen the school's long-term sustainability through a targeted action plan that is developed, implemented, and monitored over several years.
What Strategies May Be Considered?
Action plans are tailored to each school and may include:
- Adjustments to attendance boundaries
- New programs or site enhancements
- Marketing and community awareness initiatives
- Capacity optimization and leasing opportunities
- Capital planning solutions, such as:
- School modernizations
- Consolidations
- New school construction
- Modular classroom additions or removals
Because every school community is unique, action plans are developed with a thorough understanding of each school's specific needs, challenges, and opportunities.
What Happens if My School Becomes a VIP School?
If your school is identified for the Viability Improvement Process, it becomes a VIP school. This means the Division is committed to investing resources and support into initiatives designed to improve the school's viability.
We value collaboration with school communities and look forward to working together to identify the most effective solutions in support of our Division's goals and our shared commitment to Walking Together Towards a Glorious Future.
Viability Improvement Process School Examples
Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
In September 2022, Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School was nearly 400 students over capacity. Later in the Fall, the Division conducted virtual and in-person engagement activities to explore different options to alleviate enrolment pressures at the school. Through a temporary attendance boundary change, Bishop David Motiuk School is projected to only be 100 students over capacity for the 2023-2034 school year. The reduction in student enrolment will help the school immensely by reducing class sizes, allowing for more program and support space, and improving overall school functionality.
St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School
In September 2022, St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School was struggling with enrolment, and the school was only 46% utilized. While the school offered an IB program, it was not acting as a draw for students to attend the school. Later in the Fall, the Division conducted a community engagement to explore different programs that were of interest to the school community. Through the engagement feedback, it was determined that a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) program would be implemented for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration numbers indicate a surge in student enrolment due to interest in the program.
2024-2025 Viability Improvement Process Schools
High Utilized Schools
Here is a list of schools identified as VIPs for the 2024-25 school year due to their high enrolment.
- Annunciation Catholic Elementary School
- Christ the King Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Father Michael Mireau Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Good Shepherd Catholic Elementary School
- Monsignor Fee Otterson Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- St. Catherine Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School
- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
Low Utilized Schools
Here is a list of schools identified as VIPs for the 2024-25 school year due to their low enrolment.
- Holy Child Catholic Elementary School
- Holy Cross Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Elementary School
- Our Lady of Peace Catholic Elementary School
- St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- St. Angela Catholic Elementary School
- St. Augustine Catholic Elementary School
- St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School
- St. Cecilia Catholic Junior High School
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School
- St. Leo Catholic Elementary School
- St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School
2023-2024 Viability Improvement Process Schools
High Utilized Schools
Here is a list of schools identified as VIPs for the 2023-24 school year due to their high enrolment.
- Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Christ the King Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Father Michael Mireau Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Monsignor Fee Otterson Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School
- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
Low Utilized Schools
Here is a list of schools identified as VIPs for the 2023-24 school year due to their low enrolment.
- Holy Child Catholic Elementary School
- J.H. Picard Catholic Elementary/Junior/Senior High School
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- Our Lady of Peace Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- St. Angela Catholic Elementary School
- St. Augustine Catholic Elementary School
- St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School
- St. Cecilia Catholic Junior High School
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School
- St. Gerard Catholic Elementary School
- St. Leo Catholic Elementary School
- St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School
Presentations to Schools
2024-2025
- St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School
- On November 20, 2024, ECSD presented information on the Viability Improvement Process to the St. Lucy School Advisory Council. If you were unable to attend the session, you can view the presentation through the following link:
2023-2024
- Father Michael Mireau Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- On November 22, 2023, ECSD presented information on the Viability Improvement Process to Father Michael Mireau School Advisory Council. If you were unable to attend the session, you can view the presentation through the following link:
- St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School
- On November 22, 2023, ECSD presented information on the Viability Improvement Process to the St. Lucy School Advisory Council. If you were unable to attend the session, you can view the presentation through the following link:
- Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
- On December 4, 2023, ECSD presented information on the Viability Improvement Process to the Corpus Christi School Advisory Council. If you were unable to attend the session, you can view the presentation through the following link:
Questions?
For more information about the School Viability Viability Improvement Process, please email ecsdplanning@ecsd.net.