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Salmo Elementary School
About
Salmo Elementary School is located at Po Drawer 220, Salmo, BC V0G 1Z0. The school describes itself as a mindful community school where students use Caring, Commitment to Learning, Creativity, Common Sense, and Calm to empower themselves to embrace challenge and change. It also emphasizes fostering mutual respect and responsibility, and appreciating and caring for their world.
At a Glance
School type: Public School (Kootenay Lake)
Education language: English
Religious affiliation: None / Secular
Grades: K-6
Phone: 250 357-2214
Email: clerical.ses@sd8.bc.ca
Principal: Rod Giles
Programs and Services
Counselling (student wellness support) Counselling is described as a confidential, safe, collaborative space guided by empathy and non-judgement. In elementary settings, support is trauma-informed and may include self-regulation strategies, emotional support, conflict resolution tools, relationship-building, and anxiety coping strategies. Counsellors may also refer families to outside services (for example, Child & Youth Mental Health) when needs are beyond the school’s scope. Makerspace Salmo Elementary offers a vibrant makerspace program that supports classroom-based learning linked to the curriculum. Students can design, build, and experiment while developing skills such as tool use, construction techniques, woodwork, electronics, robotics, metalwork, and sculpture. The makerspace is also used for small-group and individual work as part of the school’s learning assistance program. Music The Primary Music Program is based on research connecting music education to cognitive development and broader learning. Instruction includes an Orff Schulwerk approach (movement, singing, instruments, improvisation, and play) and elements of the Kodaly method (vocal training, hand signs, rhythm syllables) to build skills that transfer into reading and writing music. Aboriginal Education (Indigenous student support) Aboriginal Education supports self-identified Indigenous students (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) guided by district goals. The school highlights an inclusive, whole-school approach and describes supports such as academic, emotional, and family support, cultural learning opportunities, and land-based learning opportunities (including virtual visits with an elder or knowledge keeper). Families are asked to contact the school to opt in to local programming. Play in the K (Kindergarten transition) The school offers “Play in the K,” a program designed to ease the transition into Kindergarten. Children and caregivers participate in play sessions in the Kindergarten classroom (e.g., stories and crafts), with school staff and community childhood services providing activities for students and resources for parents.
School Culture and Expectations
The school describes itself as a mindful community focused on Caring, Commitment to Learning, Creativity, Common Sense, and Calm. It emphasizes empowering students to embrace challenge and change, fostering mutual respect and responsibility, and caring for their world. The school and district also acknowledge, respect, and honour First Nations territories in which the district operates and all Aboriginal people living within the district boundaries.
Transportation, Parking, and Getting Here
School District 8 offers free student transportation for eligible riders, with annual registration required to access busing privileges. Students are expected to walk where possible; eligibility is tied to living outside walk limits (noted as greater than 2.5 km from the catchment school). Registered riders use a bus pass card that must be scanned when entering and exiting the bus. The district’s bus code of conduct emphasizes safety and respectful behavior (for example: arriving at the stop at least five minutes early, staying seated while the bus is moving, following driver directions, and safe road-crossing procedures in front of the bus only on the driver’s signal). The district also notes that families should review safe walking routes to and from bus stops with their children and that bus stop placement follows visibility and spacing guidelines.
Enrollment
For Kindergarten transition programming (“Play in the K”), families are directed to register by calling the school at 250-357-2214.
Location
Salmo Elementary School Reviews
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Academic Learning of Salmo Elementary School
38.26
Academic Performance
Academic Performance Score
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 overall score: 38 - in line with the district public school average of 38, within 1 point.
Literacy: 33
Numeracy: 43
Numeracy is a clear strength; literacy is the area with the most room to grow.
62.73
Student Commitment to Learning
Student Commitment
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 63 - well above the district public school average of 55, ahead by 8 points.
Students report stronger engagement, effort, and investment in learning than comparable schools, pointing to solid day-to-day learning habits.
38.07
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 38 - well below the district public school average of 52, trailing by 14 points.
Students report weaker problem solving, analysis, and independent thinking than comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen this area.
76.14
College and Career Readiness
Readiness for Future
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
Grade 4 score: 76 - well above the district public school average of 55, ahead by 21 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
Clustered Academic Score Trends
School year trend view: Grade 4. In 2024-2025, literacy is 33, numeracy is 43, and overall is 38.
Compared with 2019-2020, the overall score improved by 15 points.
In the latest year, numeracy is the strongest of the three measures at 43, while literacy is lowest at 33.
Across the available years, literacy improved by 7 points since 2019-2020, while numeracy improved by 22 points since 2019-2020.
Academic Performance Score Change Over Years
Academic Performance Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024-2025, academic performance is 38, student commitment to learning is 63, critical thinking is 38, and college and career readiness is 76.
The strongest current area is College and Career Readiness at 76, while Critical Thinking is lowest at 38.
Critical Thinking shows the largest shift across the available period, declined by 18 points since 2020-2021.
Additional Information
Data is regularly updated to reflect the latest available academic scores and assessments from official school records.
Character and Wellbeing
65.15
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 65 - below the province public school average of 68, trailing by 3 points.
Students report weaker participation in school and community life than comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen voice, involvement, and connection.
67.21
Health
Health
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 67 - above the province public school average of 65, ahead by 2 points.
Students report stronger physical and emotional well-being than comparable schools, which points to a healthier overall student experience.
70.45
Work Ethic
Work Ethic
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 70 - below the province public school average of 74, trailing by 4 points.
Students report weaker effort, persistence, and responsibility than comparable schools, suggesting work habits are an area to strengthen.
Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years
Character and Wellbeing Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Civic Engagement is 65, Health is 67, and Work Ethic is 70.
The strongest current area is Work Ethic at 70, while Civic Engagement is lowest at 65.
Health shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 27 points since 2020/2021.
Resources
52.56
Learning Resources
Learning Resources
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 53 - well below the district public school average of 61, trailing by 8 points.
Instructional resources are rated less positively than in comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen access or quality.
Resources Score Change Over Years
Resources Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Learning Resources is 53.
Learning Resources shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 18 points since 2020/2021.
School Culture
78.52
Relationships
Relationships
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 79 - in line with the province public school average of 77, within 1 point.
Students report relationships among peers, staff, and the school community at levels broadly similar to comparable schools.
56.53
Safety
Safety
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 57 - below the province public school average of 59, trailing by 3 points.
Students report a weaker sense of physical and emotional safety than in comparable schools, making this an area that deserves close attention.
School Culture Score Change Over Years
School Culture Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Relationships is 79 and Safety is 57.
The strongest current area is Relationships at 79, while Safety is lowest at 57.
Relationships shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 10 points since 2020/2021.
Teachers and Teaching Environment
50.00
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers
School year: 2024-2025. Scores out of 100.
All Grades score: 50 - well below the province public school average of 58, trailing by 8 points.
Teachers are rated less positively for instructional quality, knowledge, and professional practice than in comparable schools, suggesting room to strengthen this area.
Teachers and Teaching Environment Score Change Over Years
Teachers and Teaching Environment Score Change Over Years
Grade 4 trend view. In 2024/2025, Knowledge and Skills of Teachers is 50.
Knowledge and Skills of Teachers shows the largest shift across the available period, improved by 39 points since 2021/2022.