Alberta Schools See Mental Health, Test Scores Rise

When a school district asks parents, teachers, and students what really matters, amazing things can happen.

Northern Lights Public Schools in Alberta listened two years ago and made student achievement and mental health their top priorities. The results just came in, and they tell a story of real progress across the board.

The numbers speak volumes about how kids are feeling. A stunning 98.4 percent of kindergarten through second grade students say they feel encouraged to do their best at school. Over 85 percent of third through sixth graders report feeling hopeful about the future and say they can understand and manage their feelings.

Academic achievement is climbing too, especially for older students. Grade 9 students improved their scores at the acceptable standard in three of four core subjects on Provincial Achievement Tests. Even more impressive, they improved at the standard of excellence in all four subjects tested.

High schoolers are outpacing their peers across the province. Northern Lights students scored higher than the provincial average on English, Math, and Social Studies diploma exams.

The district also expanded career pathways through a partnership with Portage College and other school divisions. Parent satisfaction in this area jumped by 16.7 percent in just one year, with over 75 percent now agreeing that students are learning attitudes and behaviors that will help them succeed at work.

Getting parents involved made a huge difference. Participation in the provincial survey increased by 30 percent after the government changed how they distributed access codes. Instead of mailing random codes that often got tossed, schools could send them directly to families.

The Ripple Effect

When a school division commits to both academic excellence and mental health, students thrive in ways that extend far beyond test scores. Teachers build stronger connections with families, creating opportunities that benefit entire communities. The advocacy work by Alberta school boards to improve parent engagement is now paying dividends across the province, giving educators better data to guide their decisions.

Superintendent Rick Cusson credits the results to staff commitment, even while navigating unexpected challenges. Board Chair Karen Packard says the increased satisfaction shows their strategies are making a real difference for students and families.

This success story proves that listening to your community and acting on what they tell you creates lasting positive change.