Despite declining enrolment that’s left the school just one-third full, Sir William Van Horne High School gives a second chance to struggling students and should remain open.
That’s the opinion of many parents and students who gathered Tuesday night at a public meeting to oppose the possible closure.
The meeting was hosted so members of the Calgary Board of Education board of trustees could hear from the public as they decide the fate of Sir William Van Horne.
Young people and parents laud how the school has helped students, many who have learning difficulties and some who have been expelled from other schools.
Get breaking National news
They worry that without Sir William Van Horne, which offers smaller classes and a combination of vocational and academic courses, the dropout rate will rise.
“I believe the students that have a learning disability will end up going their designated high school and won’t get those opportunities, like I did, or the one-on-one help that they need because the class sizes are too big,” Kathryn Sawatsky, a 18-year-old Grade 12 student who was one of about 100 people at the meeting, said in an interview.
But one of the key issues leading the board to consider closing the school in June 2011 is the declining enrolment of students during the last number of years.
In September 2009, just 296 students were enrolled at the school that has a capacity for 965.
“Everything is on the table,” board trustee chairwoman Pat Cochrane said in an interview. “We’re willing to listen and make our decisions based on what we hear tonight and in the coming weeks.”
rcuthbertson@theherald.canwest.com
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.