Grade Configurations & Class List Creation for 2024-25

On Monday, staff will be meeting to determine class lists for the 2024-25 school year.  This is a complex process and we are again seeking parental understanding and support.  Due to our current staffing allocation, our current plan includes three Grade 5/6 classrooms for the upcoming year. Combining classes is a two year commitment to ensure curriculum is covered. Please also note this affects our Grades 3 and 4 students so we will be combining our Grade 3/4 classrooms next year as well. 

It is our belief that the learning atmosphere in the classroom must be the first consideration in the formation of class groupings.  Classes are organized to maximize learning and teaching opportunities for students and for teachers.  We make every effort to minimize the potential for negative student interactions.  

Staff teams strive to create classes that are diverse in character and balanced in all respects.  The following criteria are considered when determining class lists: 

• Student abilities 
• Our knowledge of social interactions and dynamics between individual students and groups of students 
• Placement of students new to Canyon School 
• Alberta Class Size Guidelines (Alberta Commission on Learning)
• Appropriate class sizes for each grade level

 Parents can assist the class formation process by: 

• Helping their children to understand the importance of class formation 
• Supporting placements that have been made. 

Given the criteria used to generate class groupings, it is difficult to accommodate requests that we get to place a particular student with another student or group of students.  It is equally difficult to accommodate requests for a particular teacher or teachers.  

Given appropriate support at home and at school, it has been our experience that the vast majority of placements are successful.  Where a placement is proving to be difficult, we ask that parents and students give it the time required for friendships to develop and comfort level to increase.

Class lists for the upcoming school year will be posted at the end of August 2024.