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Isabella Dicken Elementary

Fernie, BC - Public School - Grades K-6

About

Isabella Dicken Elementary (École Isabella Dicken Elementary School) is located in Fernie, BC (Po Box 1559, Fernie, BC V0B 1M0). The school describes itself as an energetic Kindergarten to Grade 6 school where staff work closely with the Parent Advisory Council to provide a well-rounded program. Offerings highlighted by the school include late/middle French Immersion, a fully serviced student support program, Grade 6 Band, extra-curricular sports, and Fine Arts opportunities. The school mission is to provide children with opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes to reach their full potential in a positive, supportive, safe environment and become lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

At a Glance

School type: Public School (Southeast Kootenay)

Education language: ÉIDES offers a Middle French Immersion program beginning in Grade 4, where French is the language of instruction and core classes (including Social Studies, Math, and Science) are taught in French; English continues to be taught as well. The school also notes primary French introductory classes as part of its enhanced curriculum. No English Language Learning (ELL) services are described in the provided sources.

Religious affiliation: None / Secular

Grades: K-6

Phone: 250 423-4651

Email: janet.kuijt@sd5.bc.ca

Principal: Janet Kuijt

Education Languages

ÉIDES offers a Middle French Immersion program beginning in Grade 4, where French is the language of instruction and core classes (including Social Studies, Math, and Science) are taught in French; English continues to be taught as well. The school also notes primary French introductory classes as part of its enhanced curriculum. No English Language Learning (ELL) services are described in the provided sources.

Programs and Services

French Immersion ÉIDES offers a Middle French Immersion program starting in Grade 4. The program is designed for non-French-speaking students, with most activities conducted in French right away; core classes such as Social Studies, Math, and Science are taught in French, while English continues to be taught. Music / Band All Grade 6 students participate in Band, which takes place at Fernie Secondary School in the band room. Athletics and extracurricular sports Student support / wellbeing School counselling is available as a resource for students, families, and educators, supporting areas such as social skills, peer relations, family changes, academic difficulties, and self-esteem. The counsellor provides prevention and intervention supports (individual, group, and classwork) and connects families with outside agencies/opportunities. The school also lists Youth Care Worker support, with a focus on creating a culture of belonging, acceptance, and inclusion. Indigenous Education The school offers Indigenous Education programs and initiatives focused on incorporating Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and cultural practices. Literacy support Primary Literacy Programming (UFLI) is used in primary grades to develop early literacy skills, and the school also references a Sound Connections program for Kindergarten using poems, songs, characters, and actions. Early learning StrongStart provides opportunities for parents/caregivers to share in a child's early learning experiences, and Ready, Set, Learn provides information on supporting a young child’s early learning. Technology The school reports using up-to-date/state-of-the-art technology to enhance instruction and student learning. Environmental learning The school highlights a composting initiative.

  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country running
  • Track & field

School Culture and Expectations

The school states its mission is to support students in a positive, supportive, safe environment and help them become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. ÉIDES also references a school Code of Cooperation based on growth, development, and respect for self and others. Youth Care Workers are described as helping create a culture of belonging, acceptance, and inclusion within the school.

Enrollment

The school site includes “Registration Forms” and notes that School District No. 5 Southeast Kootenay welcomes families and students to the district. The French Immersion page also welcomes families interested in enrolling their child in French Immersion.

Location

Site: www.sd5.bc.ca/ides

Phone: 250 423-4651

Address: Po Box 1559, Fernie, BC V0B 1M0

Isabella Dicken Elementary Reviews

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Academic Learning of Isabella Dicken Elementary

37.13

Academic Performance

Academic Performance Score

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

Grade 4 overall score: 37 - below the district average of 40, trailing by 3 points.

Literacy: 37

Numeracy: 37

Literacy and numeracy are closely matched.

56.03

Student Commitment to Learning

Student Commitment

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

Grade 4 score: 56 - well above the district public school average of 46, ahead by 10 points.

Students report stronger engagement, effort, and investment in learning than comparable schools, pointing to solid day-to-day learning habits.

64.69

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

Grade 4 score: 65 - well above the province public school average of 50, ahead by 15 points.

Students report stronger problem solving, analysis, and independent thinking than comparable schools, suggesting this is a relative strength.

81.86

College and Career Readiness

Readiness for Future

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

Grade 4 score: 82 - well above the province public school average of 53, ahead by 29 points.

Students report stronger preparation for future learning, transitions, and career pathways than comparable schools, which points to a solid readiness profile.

Academic Scores by School Year

LiteracyNumeracyOverall
0204060801002019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025

Clustered Academic Score Trends

School year trend view: Grade 4. In 2024-2025, literacy is 37, numeracy is 37, and overall is 37.

Compared with 2019-2020, the overall score was broadly stable.

In the latest year, numeracy is the strongest of the three measures at 37, while literacy is lowest at 37.

Across the available years, literacy declined by 2 points since 2019-2020, while numeracy improved by 3 points since 2019-2020.

Academic Performance Score Change Over Years

Academic PerformanceStudent Commitment to LearningCritical ThinkingCollege and Career Readiness
0204060801002019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025

Academic Performance Score Change Over Years

Grade 4 trend view. In 2024-2025, academic performance is 37, student commitment to learning is 56, critical thinking is 65, and college and career readiness is 82.

The strongest current area is College and Career Readiness at 82, while Academic Performance is lowest at 37.

College and Career Readiness shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 12 points since 2021-2022.

Additional Information

Data is regularly updated to reflect the latest available academic scores and assessments from official school records.

Character and Wellbeing

78.04

Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 78 - well above the province public school average of 68, ahead by 10 points.

Students report stronger participation in school and community life than comparable schools, suggesting a healthy sense of involvement and contribution.

67.50

Health

Health

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 67 - above the district public school average of 64, ahead by 3 points.

Students report stronger physical and emotional well-being than comparable schools, which points to a healthier overall student experience.

81.66

Work Ethic

Work Ethic

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 82 - well above the district public school average of 73, ahead by 8 points.

Students report stronger effort, persistence, and responsibility than comparable schools, suggesting productive day-to-day learning habits.

Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years

Artistic and Creative TraitsCivic EngagementHealthWork Ethic
0204060801002019/20202020/20212021/20222022/20232023/20242024/2025

Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years

Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Civic Engagement is 78, Health is 67, and Work Ethic is 82.

The strongest current area is Work Ethic at 82, while Health is lowest at 67.

Civic Engagement shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 23 points since 2019/2020.

Resources

50.57

Learning Resources

Learning Resources

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 51 - well below the district public school average of 65, trailing by 14 points.

Instructional resources are rated less positively than in comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen access or quality.

Resources Score Change Over Years

Community SupportFacilities and PersonnelLearning Resources
0204060801002019/20202020/20212021/20222022/20232023/20242024/2025

Resources Score Change Over Years

Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Learning Resources is 51.

Learning Resources shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 5 points since 2019/2020.

School Culture

57.69

Academic Orientation

Academic Orientation

Showing latest available year: 2020-2021. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 58 - above the province public school average of 53, ahead by 4 points.

Students report a stronger academic orientation than in comparable schools, suggesting learning goals and achievement are more strongly valued.

82.79

Relationships

Relationships

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 83 - well above the district public school average of 78, ahead by 5 points.

Students report stronger relationships among peers, staff, and the school community than in comparable schools, making this a relative strength.

67.02

Safety

Safety

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 67 - well above the district public school average of 58, ahead by 9 points.

Students report a stronger sense of physical and emotional safety than in comparable schools, suggesting the school environment feels more secure and supportive.

School Culture Score Change Over Years

Academic OrientationRelationshipsSafety
0204060801002019/20202020/20212021/20222022/20232023/20242024/2025

School Culture Score Change Over Years

Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Relationships is 83 and Safety is 67.

The strongest current area is Relationships at 83, while Safety is lowest at 67.

Academic Orientation shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 8 points since 2019/2020.

Teachers and Teaching Environment

61.02

Knowledge and Skills of Teachers

Knowledge and Skills of Teachers

School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.

All Grades score: 61 - above the province public school average of 58, ahead by 3 points.

Teachers are rated more positively for instructional quality, knowledge, and professional practice than in comparable schools, suggesting a relative strength.

Teachers and Teaching Environment Score Change Over Years

Knowledge and Skills of TeachersTeaching Environment
0204060801002019/20202020/20212021/20222022/20232023/20242024/2025

Teachers and Teaching Environment Score Change Over Years

Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Knowledge and Skills of Teachers is 61.

Knowledge and Skills of Teachers shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 6 points since 2019/2020.