About Yellowknife Catholic Schools
Yellowknife Catholic Schools has been providing quality education to northern students since 1951. In fact, our Sixtieth Anniversary will be celebrated in 2011-2012. We are the only Catholic school district in the North. As such, we are truly a unique northern school district. The district consists of three schools that house approximately 1,350 students: Weledeh Catholic School (K-8) and a classroom at the Territorial Treatment Centre; École St. Patrick High School (9-12 English and French Immersion), École St. Joseph School (K-8 English and French Immersion). |  |
The Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre, completed in 2006, offers the following pre-trades courses: welding, electronics, small engine repair, building construction, multi-station and cosmetology labs. The facility is used full-time in partnership with Skills Canada NWT/NU. Strong community support has been received for the realization of this new Centre. The official name of the facility is called the Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre, in honor of DeBeers Canada Inc, who was our major sponsor.
The Yellowknife Catholic School Board consists of seven trustees. They are very student-centered and continue to work towards improving our learning organization. They have developed a Strategic Plan for our district which focuses on three major areas: Spiritual, Student Achievement with a focus on literacy and numeracy and Aboriginal Student Achievement.
Our high school, which opened in the fall of 1995, has an interagency space, cosmetology lab, a natural rock amphitheater and other community components housed within it. We completed building a replacement school for Weledeh Catholic School in 2000 as well. Significant features include a 775 square meter gym joined to its sister gym of equal size at École St. Patrick High School, a Dogrib classroom complete with three dimensional display area, a solar wall (built at the most northern latitude in the world) and ample daylight brought into the building through the unique architectural glass features.
Our third school, École St. Joseph School, was built over thirty years ago and features a quality early French Immersion program. In 2010, a complete renovation of École St. Joseph School was completed, featuring two gyms, a student project studio, full band room and a Kindergarten / pre-school area.
Our district also sponsors two government funded programs: (1) the Yellowknife Family Centre that houses a family resource program and (2) Four Plus, a pre-Kindergarten readiness program. In the spring of 2010, we introduced a Bilingual Pre-school Program.
Our district values initiatives such as school-based decision-making, creative community partnerships and collaboration, new teacher mentorships and a model of shared leadership. Our mission, values and beliefs focus on the development and gifts of each child with their individual talents and cultural diversity. We know that collaboration, partnerships and inclusion are the keys to realizing our goals.
In 2012, Yellowknife Catholic Schools will celebrate 60 years of existence. The following represents the story of the Yellowknife Catholic School system - a story of people, life, growth and faith. In the 60 years of existence, the Catholic School system has been anything but separate. It's been a lively, influential, nurturing, supportive part of the City of Yellowknife. Please enjoy our history as we celebrated our pride, happiness and our family through the pages of this book of memories.
Yellowknife Catholic Separate School System 1952-2002 History: