Education
Access to educational facilities is important to any new residents moving into a community. New-comers like to be in easy reach of facilities including elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions. Many individuals may be attracted to a community solely upon the number of nigh-caliber educational amenities.
Children-Elementary and Secondary Schools
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador offers free public education to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents less than 18 years of age. Parents of children are responsible for school supplies and school uniforms; however, the uniforms are only worn for Band and Sports teams.
Registration for elementary and secondary schools usually takes place several months prior to the school year. In order to register, an individual must contact the particular school their child wishes to attend and find out all the registration details. Certain schools may charge a administration fee for the registration of a child. There are a number of different schooling options available in Newfoundland and Labrador educational system. A child may enter a public, English, French Immersion, Francophone or Private institution. Those parents that may want to home school can also have that option in this province.
The town of Grand Falls-Windsor offers residents easy access to both elementary and secondary schools. Most children start their schooling at the age of 5 in the province where they begin at Kindergarten level. In the kindergarten level, children attend 5 days of either morning of afternoon classes. As a child gets older, they will continue to attend elementary school grade 1 (age 6) to Grade 6 (age 12). Junior High or Intermediate school is from Grade 7-Grade 9 (ages 13-15). The last school system to complete is High School and it includes Grade 10-12 (ages 16-18). All elementary and secondary schools in Grand Falls-Windsor are overseen by the Nova Central School District. This community has three elementary schools and two secondary schools (OneStop Canada).
History of Schools and Education
The first school was built in Grand Falls-Windsor in 1905 on a site which is presently near 43 Caremlite Road. The construction on this building began in December and was opened shortly after. In the beginning, the A.N.D Company provided the school buildings and teacher salaries to attract others to the town. All children, regardless of their religion or social status attended school under Principal Annie Crocker. The first Roman Catholic priest arrived in Grand Falls in 1910 and with the growth of the Catholics, it was decided to they start their own school. These Catholics wanted to remain with their own school while others wanted the amalgamation of all religious denominations. Eventually, the amalgamated system commenced and the Grand Falls Academy was almost called “Trinity School”-with the three denominations including Roman Catholic, Church of England and Methodist. The Roman Catholics lost their parish and school in 1928 to a fire and a second Notre Dame Academy was opened. When Notre Dame Academy closed in 1984, the students moved to the former St. Catherine’s High School which was renamed Notre Dame Academy. Then in 1957, the construction of a high school for Roman Catholic boys was completed, St. Michael’s Regional High. As the population increased, a new facility for the Protestant children was built on High School in 1911. Pentecostal schools in Grand Falls-Windsor began with the opening of F.G Bursey Memorial Collegiate in 1968. The educational system was denominationally separated with schools for Roman Catholics, the Salvation Army, the Church of England and the United Church students. Later, in 1969 the number of schools where reduced and denominational system was eliminated (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 108-119).
Woodland Primary (Kindergarten-Grade 3)
Woodland Primary is committed to children and life-long learning by creating effective educational experiences and partnerships that reflect the needs of learners, this is their mission. Woodland Primary, formally known as Grand Falls Academy Primary School, has approximately 410 children enrolled yearly with about 24 teachers. This school has been established since 1975 and continues to maintain academic excellence. Woodland offers children the following services:
- English Classes
- French Immersion
- Special/Supportive Services
- Guidance Counseling
Contact Information: Woodland Primary
18A St. Catherine Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1V8,
Telephone: (709) 489-4373
Website: http://www.k12.nf.ca/woodland/
Sprucewood Academy (Kindergarten-Grade 6)
Sprucewood Academy serves approximately 375 students and a staff of 24 teachers and 6 support staff. All staff members are very qualified and dedicated to their roles as teachers. This school offers children the following programs:
- English Classes
- Special/Supportive Services
- Guidance Counseling
Contact Information: Sprucewood Academy
26 Price’s Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2B 1C9
Telephone: (709) 489-2127
Website: http://www.swa.k12.nf.ca/
Millcrest Academy (Grade 4-6)
Millcrest Academy is a school that is extremely active in the areas of curriculum, technology and special student programs. As stated on their website, Millcrest celebrates a culture of harmony, exemplified by individuals, high expectations, personal growth and global responsibilities. The school employs approximately
This school offers the following:
- English Classes
- French Immersion
- Special/Supportive Services
- Guidance Counseling
Contact Information: Millcrest Academy
1 St.Catherine Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1V7
Telephone: (709) 489-3805
Website: http://www.mca.k12.nf.ca/
Exploits Valley Intermediate (Grade 7-9)
Exploits Valley Intermediate’s vision is a safe and caring community where everyone works together to help students reach their full potential. As their website states, Exploits Valley Intermediate recognizes the uniqueness of the individual, is committed to the development of the whole student as a life long learner by providing a safe, caring, respectful, and challenging learning environment.
The schools vision: “Exploits Valley Intermediate is a safe and caring community where everyone workers together to help students reach their full potential”-Glen Harnum, School Principal 2008
Exploit Valley Intermediate is a school of approximately 450 students in grades 7, 8, and 9. The school offers the full provincial curriculum as well as a French Immersion stream. In addition to the academic courses, they offer choices such as Art, Home Economics, Technology and Industrial Arts. They also have a strong physical education/sports and music program. There are 3 bands and a choir; they have a lunch time Intramural Program and several school varsity sports teams for males and females. Their facilities include 18 classrooms, 2 science labs, 2 technology labs, 1 large gymnasium, 1 art room, 1 Fabrication room and 1 Home Economics Lab.
Contact Information: Exploits Valley Intermediate
19 Greenwood Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1S6
Telephone: (709) 489-5608
Website: http://www.evi.k12.nf.ca/
Exploits Valley High (Grade 10-12)
According to the schools website, Exploits Valley High is a caring, respectful, and innovative learning community, committed to excellence in individual growth and development. There are approximately 26 staff members at the school teaching courses such as math, language arts, wood working, computer technology, social studies, art, physics, biology, chemistry, workplace safety, music, physical education and art. Exploits Valley High offers:
- English Classes
- French Immersion
- French Classes
- Special/Support Services
- Guidance Counseling
Contact Information: Exploits Valley High
392 Grenfell Heights
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1T6
Telephone: (709) 489-4374
Website: http://www.evh.k12.nf.ca/
The results from a 2008 Residential Survey, completed by 10 individuals, indicated that the average rating for the “Education System for Children in Grand Falls-Windsor” was a 4.05 out of a possible 5 with 1 being Poor and 5 being excellent.
Post Secondary
History
A number of District Vocational Schools where scattered across Newfoundland and Labrador in 1964 with one located in Grand Falls-Windsor. This school offered training in a variety of trades while the area was introduced to private colleges which offered a range of courses. The private colleges allowed local students to participate in programs close to home instead of traveling to St. John’s. From this point onward, private colleges became popular with the College of the North Atlantic offering courses towards university degrees (The Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc 119-120).
The College of the North Atlantic
The College of the North Atlantic is one of Newfoundland and Labradors public colleges and one of the largest post-secondary institutions in the Atlantic Provinces. The college in Grand Falls-Windsor offers full time credit course registration with approximately 400 students per semester, with additional 200 registered part-time. The college also has an increasing 700 students participating in the Continuing Education evening courses. The Grand Falls-Windsor Campus offers the following programs
- Adult Basic Education
- Business Management (Accounting)
- Business Management (Human Resources)
- Business Management (Marketing)
- CAS Transfer: College-University
- CAS College Transition
- Community Studies
- Office Administration (Executive)
- Office Administration (Medical)
- Painter/Plasterer
- Programmer Analyst (Business)
- Admission
The College of the North Atlantic offers an open admission policy. Students are admitted into various programs on a first come first serve basis as assessed by the date of receipt of their application and on the provision that the candidates meet the minimum qualifications prescribed. The Campus website provides further details as to the admission requirements for the offered programs: http://www.cna.nl.ca/registration/default.asp
Fees and Charges
See Website: http://www.cna.nl.ca/default.asp
Contact Information: The College of the North Atlantic
5 Cromer Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 1X3
Phone: (709) 489-4180
Website: http://www.cna.nl.ca/default.asp
Corona College
Corona College has been a leader in post-secondary education and has been serving Central Newfoundland since 1987. As stated on their website, Corona College’s mission states that they are committed in providing post-secondary education that meets the needs of the labour market, enabling graduates to cope with the every changing world of technology, and changing social morals. Corona College is dedicated to quality education, high educational standards and ethnical business practices provided in a caring and professional environment. All programs and instructors at Corona College are approved by the Provincial Department of Education and they keep their class sizes at a minimum to ensure students receive adequate instruction time. Corona College in Grand Falls-Windsor offers the following programs:
- Business Management
- Hard Rock Miner
- Hairstyling
- Surface Mining
- Esthetics
- Mill Processing Operator
- Travel, Hospitality & Tourism
- Diamond Driller
- Guide Training
- Geological Assistant
- Personal Care Attendant
- Mine Supervisor
- Community Studies
- Mineral Exploration Safety
- Early Childhood Education
- Multimedia Graphic Design
- Criminology
- Microcomputer Support
- Law & Security
- Adult Basic Education
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Admission
Students applying for admission into Corona College must have a Provincial High School Diploma with an overall 60% average. Individuals 19 years of age and older may be accepted under the colleges Mature Student Policy, which would require an assessment. In addition to the general admission requirements set by Corona College, other specific programs may have guidelines on the field of study. To view all of the admission requirements, visit the Corona College website at http://www.coronacollege.com/EntranceRequirements.htm
Fees and Charges
See Website: http://www.coronacollege.com/
Contact Information: Corona College
60 Hardy Avenue
P.O. Box 819
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P7
Phone: (709) 489-7825
Website: http://www.coronacollege.com/
Keyin College
Keyin College began in 1980 and rapidly became the leading post-secondary college with campuses located across Newfoundland and Labrador. The curriculum offered at the college is designed to provide skills and training that will prepare individuals for the competitive marketplace. The mission statement at Keyin College states that their team of faculty and staff are committed to being the leading independent educator by continuing to deliver superior industry drive programs in a comfortable learning environment. Keyin College offers the following programs:
- Faculty of Business and Applied Arts
- Aquaculture
- Business Management
- Business Management/Human Resource Management
- Hospitality Management
- Office Administration
- Office Technology Enhancement
- Travel and Tourism
- Faculty of Information Technology
- Computer Studies
- Geographic Information Systems
- Information Systems Security Specialist
- Network Design and Management
- PC Repair
- Faculty of Healthcare and Human Services
- Dental Assisting II
- Early Childhood Education
- Esthetics
- Funeral Director and Embalmer
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Personal Care Attendant/Home Support Worker
- Pharmacy Technician
- Speech Language Pathology Assistant
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Post Graduate Studies
- Human Resource Management
- Independent Programs
- Adult Basic Education
- Career Preparation
- Continuing Education Division
- Corporate Training
- Life Skills Development
- Sales and Service Associate
- Spell Read P.A.T
- Faculty of Trade
- Hairstylist
- Insulator (Heat and Frost)
Admission
See Website: http://www.keyin.com/
Fees and Charges
See Website: http://www.keyin.com/
Contact Information: Keyin College
3 Hardy Avenue
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P8
Phone: (709) 489-8560
Website:: http://www.keyin.com/
The results from a 2008 Residential Survey, completed by 10 individuals, indicated that the average rating for “Access to Post-Secondary Education Facilities in Grand Falls-Windsor” was a 3.2 out of a possible 5 with 1 being Poor and 5 being excellent.