By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

after comprehensive consultation

Wolf Creek Public Schools sets grade configuration and boundary for new Blackfalds school setup

Nov 19, 2022 | 10:39 AM

Plans for a new high school in Blackfalds are falling into place.

Wolf Creek Public Schools announced this week that Iron Ridge Secondary Campus will officially start as a grade 9-12 school when it opens in September 2024.

The decision was made by the board of trustees following comprehensive public consultation, the school division says.

The extent to which the consultation went, it’s said, was due to the impact this will have on attendance at Ecole Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School, where older students from Blackfalds currently travel to attend.

Those students will revert to Iron Ridge when it opens.

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“The Board of Trustees extends a sincere thank you to everyone who offered feedback as part of this process,” said Tim De Ruyck, WCPS Superintendent. “It has been well established that a ten-year solution for enrollment pressures simply does not exist in Blackfalds, given the changes in enrollment and anticipated future growth.”

Iron Ridge Junior (currently 7-9) is planned to become a grade 7 and 8 school, with Iron Ridge Elementary (Pre-K-3) and Intermediate (4-6) will remain the same.

The other change will be an expanded attendance boundary for Blackfalds, the division says.

The boundary will stretch in the rural area surrounding Blackfalds to the north past Township Road 400 and west past Range Road 282 at the Bentley attendance boundary, and to the east down in the Joffre area down past Highway 11 at the Clive attendance boundary. Students in the expanded Blackfalds attendance boundary, who were attending Lacombe schools, will attend Blackfalds schools once the changes go into effect in 2024.

“These changes in attendance boundaries will enable a better balance between Lacombe and Blackfalds on a go-forward basis,” said De Ruyck, adding the division will continue open communication with families and schools, as transition plans are made.