School Portrait
Golden Valley School (GVS) is a Pre-k to Sec V English school in Val-d’Or, QC. Though we are considered a rural school by WQSB standards, we are located in the city of Val-d’Or in close proximity to the centre of town, the Cultural Centre, the Municipal Library, the university and Cégep, the Air Creebec Arena, Polyvalente le Carrefour, and all the amenities that these different centres provide.
Most of our students are bussed to school. They live as far away as Cadillac, Senneterre, Lac Simon, Vassan and Val Senneville. They also come from all corners of Val-d’Or since we are the only English school in Abitibi Est. More than half of our student population is First Nations.
Our elementary sector is consistently well attended. This year there are 184 students from pre-school to Cycle 3. The school was able to retain many of the Sec 1 and Sec 2 students. However, there are years when we lose students to the local French school board (CSOB) due to our lack of optional programs in the second cycle of the high school sector.
In 2018-2019, the socio-economic indicator for GVS is 9 for the elementary sector and 10 for the secondary sector. The scale is 1 – 10, 10 indicating the most disadvantaged. The indicator is calculated based on the household income and, more importantly, the level of education of the mother.
Staff
- 23 teachers
- 2 special education technicians
- 1 secretary, 1 half-time secretary
- Part-time IT technician
- 1 part-time lab technician
- 1 day-care coordinator
- 2 part-time technicians – Indigenous Success
- 3 attendants to the handicapped
- 3 lunchtime supervisors
- School nurse, dental hygienist (scheduled)
- 1 volunteer librarian
- 1 principal
School Building
- 20 classrooms with SMART boards
- 1 computer lab
- 2 scientific laboratories
- 1 art room (secondary)
- 1 gym – with a stage
- 1 library
- 1 cafeteria
- 1 teaching kitchen
- 1 woodworking room with tools
- 1 student lounge
- 1 sensory/emotions room
School student population (2018-2019)
Total of 255 students
Elementary Sector
- K4 – 11 students
- K5 – 15 students
- Cycle 1 – 59 students
- Cycle 2 – 47 students
- Cycle 3 – 52 students
Secondary Sector
- Sec 1 – 19 students
- Sec 2 – 22 students
- Sec 3 – 10 students
- Sec 4 – 6 students
- Sec 5 – 6 students
- Life skills – 1 student
- WOTP – 7 students (Work Oriented Training Path)
Healthy and Safe Environment
- 2 X 30 minutes daily outside recess
- 3 Lunchtime supervisors
- 2 day-care supervisors
- Anti-violence/Anti-bullying Plan
- Student of the Month Assemblies
- Honour Roll recognition
- Yearly awards night (Academic & sports)
- Pacific Pathways
Extracurricular Activities and Clubs
Elementary Sector
LEGO Club
Art Club
Outdoors Club
Active Kids
ABC Club
Secondary Sector
- Student Council
- Board Games
- Science Club
- Destination Imagination
- Destination Leadership
Both Sectors
- Basketball
- Choir
- Ultimate Frisbee
Academic
- Catch-Up Club
- Directed studies
- Opportunity time
- Remediation
Classrooms
- Soundprints
- NANS math initiative
- Inclusive classrooms
- Reading continuum – BAS
- IEPs (Individualized Education Plan)
- Classroom aides
- Behaviour tech
Analysis of Results
Due to the small Sec 5 classes over the recent five years, (6 – 13 students), the percentages of graduating students can shift drastically when just one student is not successful. In each year, only 1 – 3 students have not earned their DES in June of their Sec 5 year.
Students who have completed the WOTP (Work Oriented Training Path) program have been 73% successful (i.e. 8 out of 11 students).
The Grade 6 results in the MEES exams (Math and ELA) have been as good as (within 2%) or better than the WQSB average.
Challenges
- Distance from the school board (access to services)
- Low secondary population / lack of options offered
- English is a second or third language for most students
- Recruiting teachers/staff who will stay
- Creating more usable space in the school
- One gymnasium
- Tied to the local French school board for busing and yearly calendar
- Itinerant population