The Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) marked 2025 as a year of growth, student success and strengthened community connections, according to Director of Education Glenda Kary.
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Reflecting on the past school year, Kary credited much of the division’s progress to the leadership of its board of trustees and the collective efforts of staff, students and community partners.
“The 2025 school year for the Lloydminster Catholic School Division has been a year of growth, achievement and community,” said Kary. “Much of our success is guided by the dedication and vision of our board of trustees, whose thoughtful leadership helps ensure that every decision reflects our commitment to students, staff and families.”
One of the most notable accomplishments came at Holy Rosary High School, where graduating students earned more than $550,000 in scholarships. Nearly 80 per cent of graduates pursued post-secondary education through university, college, apprenticeships and trades programs, while others entered the workforce, military service, athletics or travel.
“Today’s graduates have more opportunities than ever before,” said Kary. “Our staff continues to provide the guidance, support and encouragement students need to choose paths that reflect their gifts, goals and aspirations.”
Early literacy also stood out as a key success. LCSD reported 96.8 per cent of Grade 3 students reading at grade level, a result Kary said reflects the division’s strong focus on foundational learning. Student leadership was another highlight, with youth serving on the City of Lloydminster Youth Council and representing peers at the provincial level.
“These accomplishments highlight the power of early literacy, confidence-building through service and opportunity working together,” she said.
While celebrating success, Kary acknowledged challenges faced throughout the year, including adapting to the provincial teachers’ agreement reached in April. The agreement brought additional staffing supports, which required careful planning to ensure maximum impact.
“We worked closely with school administration and teachers to ensure these new positions would best support each school,” she said, adding that hiring was completed in June, allowing the division to begin the school year on strong footing.
Several student-focused initiatives also made measurable impacts in 2025, including the expansion of Mental Health Capacity Building programming into Grades 10 through 12. The program works alongside LCSD’s S.H.I.N.E. initiative and the L.I.T.E. Navigator to support student well-being.
“By listening closely to student feedback, the program adapts to support their mental health goals,” said Kary. “It strengthens our commitment to nurturing the whole child.”
Supporting staff remained a priority for the division, with Kary emphasizing the importance of consistency and clarity in an increasingly demanding education landscape.
“The most strategic step our board has taken is to stay the course,” she said. “Clear learning goals and steady support allow staff to focus on the learners in front of them.”
Facility improvements also featured prominently in the year-in-review. In 2025, students at St. Joseph Elementary celebrated the opening of a new community playground, while Canadian Natural Field hosted its first game. The multi-sport artificial turf facility expands athletic opportunities and positions LCSD to host provincial and national competitions, with a formal opening planned for spring 2026.
To accommodate growing enrolment, relocatable classrooms were added at two schools, and programs such as Synergy Vault and Synergy Studios continued to support student-athletes and skilled trades competitors.
Faith-based programming remained central to the division’s identity. LCSD launched its annual faith theme, Called for Greatness, bringing staff together to focus on pastoral care and student belonging. Initiatives such as Spirit of the Youth at Holy Rosary and a Faith Integration Team at Father Gorman Community School further strengthened Catholic identity, alongside student representation on the Archbishop’s Youth Council.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kary said priorities include launching the Engage program to support families, enhancing playgrounds through School Community Council projects, and continuing work on designated Specialized Classrooms.
As the year draws to a close, Kary expressed gratitude to students, families and staff. “Thank you for working with us as we give our time and effort to enriching the lives of our students and preparing the future workers and leaders of our communities,” she said. “We appreciate the trust and wish all LCSD families and staff a blessed Christmas and a joyful new year of learning.”
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