By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
In addition to expanding to include Grade 8 at École Warman Elementary School (EWES) in the coming school year, French Immersion programming will also be offered at the Grade 9 level at Warman High School in the 2026-2027 school year.
This continued expansion of French Immersion programming is part of an overall plan to grow the program by a grade each year, with French Immersion programming being offered for Grades 9-12 by 2029-2030.
Prairie Spirit trustees voted in favour of expanding the program to the Grade 9 level at their March 24 meeting.
“The Prairie Spirit board of education’s decision to expand French Immersion programming reflects our commitment to a strong and vibrant bilingual expansion program,” said director of education Tracey Young, in a release. “Our students will continue to benefit from excellent teaching, resources and learning opportunities.”
The French Immersion program was established in Warman in the fall of 2018. There are currently over 230 French Immersion students in Kindergarten to Grade 7 at EWES, which is a dual track school offering programming in both English and French.
Prairie Spirit trustees had earlier decided to expand French Immersion to Grade 8 at their January 20 meeting.
The Prairie Spirit School Division serves more than 11,500 students in 45 schools throughout 28 communities surrounding Saskatoon.