Birch Hills School has an enrollment of almost 500 students and offers an education for students from kindergarten to Grade Twelve.
Birch Hills School has a tradition of excellence. The highly cohesive staff is well trained and committed to meeting the needs of students, academic and otherwise. We have expertise in providing programs for the social and emotional needs of students as well as offering a variety of academic programming. The staff includes experienced classroom teachers, special education personnel, a guidance counselor, and dedicated support staff.
The school has an attractive design and is a pleasant building to enter. the elementary grades (K-6) have a stable enrollment. The staff work hard to keep current with new curriculum and are very sensitive to meeting the needs of all students. They believe in working together with parents and the community to help children meet their academic and social needs. The school offers a range of extracurricular activities for students at the younger grade levels, such as curling, field trips, science fairs, and exposure to live theatre. The school continues to work with the nearby Muskoday First Nation to broaden the cultural perspectives of our students and provide new opportunities for all.
The school has two gymnasiums. Both are used extensively to support a strong physical education program. All students have access to the central library. The library is well equipped and provides windows to the rest of the world. Several computers throughout the school provide access to the Internet. There are a large number of CD ROM's and other software available in the library. There is a net worked Computer Laboratory and there are computers in each of the elementary classrooms.
The school receives satellite transmissions from the Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) and is able to provide a number of Distance Education classes. We are also able to provide two-way communication between Carlton Comprehensive School and students in Birch Hills School. This has allowed us to expand our programming. We are pleased to be able to offer Cree classes to our students.
The High School program for our grades 7 to 12 students matches that of many larger schools. A full range of academic classes are available. The school prides itself in the Home Economics and Industrial Arts program that is offered. Both programs have good equipment and facilities. Several computers have been assigned exclusively for Computer Assisted Design programs and provide excellent learning opportunities for students.
The school has an outstanding fine arts program. There is an active Band, Choral, and Dance program that puts on a yearly musical. The Drama club puts on a major yearly performance and competes at the Regional and Provincial level. Art classes are offered to students up to and including grade twelve. School hallways consistently have displays of student written and artistic assignments, and include framed samples of student artwork. Students have the opportunity to work with a wide range of media and are given the guidance to succeed in the art program.
The school offers a variety of athletic programs. Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Curling, and Track and Field are offered as school sports. The school claims six Provincial Championships, two Silver Medal placings, and one Bronze Placing in Basketball. The teaching staff show great commitment and dedication to coaching our students and the results of this are clear.
The school has a good relationship with the community. The school administration invites parents to become involved and to contact the school at any time with suggestions or concerns. The Local School Board provides opportunities for the community to provide their input and has excellent links to the Division Board. The school has an active and supportive Home and School Association. This group helps raise funds for activities in the school, sponsors workshops and speakers in the evenings for parents, and provides a forum for parents who have questions or concerns. The community has access to the school, its staff , and administration, and in return provides support for the school and its programs. The school has an excellent working relationship with the local Recreation Board, and Recreation Facilities.
For more information on Birch Hills School, please visit their web site at http://www.srsd119.ca/bh/.
