By paNOW Staff

Business of the Day – Ecole Valois

Feb 20, 2013 | 5:45 AM

It’s not like any other school in Prince Albert for one important reason. “We’re the only French first language school in the city, all of our classes our done in French,” said principal Dominic Rivard.

Ecole Valois is part of the provincewide Francophone school division. Rivard pointed out that despite what most people think, “We’re not a private school.”

Because they are part of the public school system any child can attend the school. Rivard said most people mistakenly think only Francophone children can go to Ecole Valois.

The curriculum is not that different from any other school in the province except that English classes begin in Grade 4. These English classes, and other subjects, must conform to provincial standards

“Being a provincial school division we fall under the same [guidelines] developed by Sask Ed as any other school in the province,” Rivard said.

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The school isn’t limited to just French language instruction.

“As opposed to just learning French from a book, the idea is living and working in French,” Rivard said. “We also focus on the culture and community part of the entire French culture.”

In the last several years the Kindergarten to Grade 12 school has seen enrollment increase. There are currently 165 students at Ecole Valois, which is a substantial increase from the 110 students attending the school two years ago.

Next year they are projecting to have 180 students who will be educated by about 20 teachers and support staff working at the school, said Rivard.

Ecole Valois also has a pre-school for three and four year olds and is working on developing a day care centre.

Tune into CKBI for Ecole Valois and other business profiles

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