Forty-two schools from across British Columbia were
recognized Tuesday as being among the best in the province during
the annual
Garfield Weston Awards for Excellence in Education
ceremony in Vancouver.
Awards were presented in two categories, each reflecting
different aspects of academic success. The first category,
Improvement in Academics (with separate awards for elementary and
secondary schools), recognizes schools that are most effective in
improving the academic results of their students. Schools
nominated in this category have experienced the fastest, most
consistent improvement in their academic rating over the past
five years. The award for Academic Achievement in Excess of
Expectations recognizes schools (elementary or secondary) that
ensure students succeed regardless of their socio-economic
backgrounds. This award challenges the notion that schools in
rich neighbourhoods always do better academically than schools in
lower income neighbourhoods.
The awards are based on an analysis of the historical data of
each school included in the Fraser Institute's annual Report Card
on BC's Elementary Schools and Report Card on BC's Secondary
Schools. Out of 280 secondary schools and 1,009 elementary
schools in BC, only the top 30 in each category were invited to
participate in the awards.
"The teachers and administrators from these schools are to be
commended for their commitment to their students and their
efforts to improve education in their community," said Peter
Cowley, director of school performance studies at The Fraser
Institute. "Whether a school is a winner, a runner-up or received
honourable mention, their accomplishments are equally
impressive."
West Point Grey Academy of Vancouver won the award for
Improvement in Academics - Elementary and a $3,000 prize.
Runners-up were Raft River Elementary of Clearwater and Edwin S.
Richards Elementary of Mission. Both schools received a $1,000
prize.
L'Ecole Secondaire Mission won the award for Improvement in
Academics - Secondary and a $3,000 prize. Runners-up were Prince
Charles Secondary School of Creston and Kelowna Christian School.
Both schools received a $1,000 prize.
The award for Academic Achievement in Excess of Expectations went
to Corpus Christi Elementary School of Vancouver along with a
$3,000 prize. St. Francis Xavier School of Vancouver and St.
Paul's Elementary School of Richmond were the runners-up. Both
schools received a $1,000 prize.
"Teachers and support staff at these schools have shown that
rapid and consistent improvement is possible regardless of the
challenges and external factors that may affect the lives of
their students. At the end of the day, they are building a better
school for their students and this should be cause for a great
deal of pride and celebration," Cowley said.