A survey, conducted by student senators of the Avon Maitland District School Board, aims to shed light on the varying educational and social experiences of Grades 7 and 8 students, depending on whether they attend school in an elementary or secondary environment.
In their report to the elected, voting members of the board at a regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 9, student representatives Ben Keffer and Charlotte Anderson outlined the planned survey – which will be conducted over the next couple of weeks.
“We want to see if coming into high school in Grades 7 and 8 really does affect their educational experience,” explained Keffer, Avon Maitland student senator for Listowel District Secondary School.
Currently, all Avon Maitland Grades 7 and 8 students in Stratford and Goderich attend senior elementary campuses that are attached to secondary schools. Transitions to similar models are underway in St. Marys and Wingham, and recommendations being considered by an Accommodation Review Committee in Bluewater/South Huron include a possible shift of Grades 7 and 8 students into South Huron District High School (SHDHS).
Anderson, the student senator for SHDHS, says much of the talk in her community has hinted at possible negative effects of such a move. But if the decision is made to transfer students, she’d like people to be prepared, and open to change.
“We’re hoping to bring some kind of positive outcome from this (survey),” she said, adding a follow-up project for student senators may be videos featuring students who have been through high school-based Grades 7 and 8 programs.
The student senator board is made up of one representative from each Avon Maitland high school, selected through a process that’s unique to each school’s student council. Student senators meet on their own with assistance from an Avon Maitland administrator. Two members of the group are then invited to the regular trustee board meetings, as non-voting participants.