By Kellah Lavoie

Rivier opens its doors to boys

Jan 21, 2011 | 10:33 AM

Rivier Academy is going co-ed.

Starting in the fall, it won’t just be kilts filling the halls. Grade 9 to 12 boys will be walking around in their black pants and ties.

Tim Jelinski, director of education for the Prince Albert Roman Catholic Separate School Division, said it’s an exciting change.

The school will continue to accept girls in Grades 7 through 12 and those in Grades 10 and higher as boarders.

Male students will only be day students.

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“Enrolment has decreased somewhat in the last couple years. In addition to that, it has afforded the Sisters of the Presentation to look at requests from a number of parents and students to consider having boys at this school,” he said.

Rivier Academy has an enrolment of only 144 students, it’s down more than 60 from when Jelinski took his role with the school division in 2000.

He said he doesn’t expect numbers to jump up right away.

“This is a brand new initiate and we don’t know what the numbers will be. I don’t anticipate large numbers, it will start just slowly and grow from there,” he said.

The loss of the province’s last all-girl school is hitting some people a little harder.

“Initially I was a little disappointed. The reason for picking Rivier for us was not only the academics that they have there, but the fact that they are an all-girl school and a smaller school,” said Ann-Marie Chokani, the mother of Grade 10 student, Ina Chokani.

She said that she believes boys at the school will change the environment, but not the academic level it is known for.

“The nice thing about an all-girl school is that they are just girls and they have a close knit, kind of a family environment. That was that I see it and the way that I have seen my daughter experience it,” she said.

Rivier Academy alumni, Marya Wickenhauser, never thought she would see the day the school would take boys.

Wickenhauser graduated in 2006. She attended the school from Grades 10 to 12 and lived in campus residence.

“I don’t think I would have gone to Rivier if there were boys there. I think part of it is being completely able to be at a school where you don’t have to conform to the pressures of what boys want you to be. I really enjoyed going to school and not having to wear make-up and being friends with girls, without boys interfering,” she said.

She explained that she didn’t think the level of academics at the school would change with boys, but the relationships would.

“Being around in your pyjamas, or just getting up and walking around, I think people would be a lot more inhibited,” she said.

Jelinski said while the decision for the change came quick – the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary only solidified their decision over the Christmas break – the six months should be enough.

Chokani agrees that it is enough time, but wishes they had a little more.

“I know she only has two years of school left, and having that tight knit group for graduation. It’s not going to take anything away from the friendships that she has but changing the dynamic of the school,” she said.

She said she is happy with the schools choice and has faith that they made the right decision.

klavoie@panow.com