Inuvik’s East Three Elementary to end French immersion

East Three Elementary School in Inuvik says it will end its French immersion program when the 2025-26 academic year finishes.

A letter sent to families late last month states the school and regional education body made the “difficult decision” to discontinue the program due to a reduction in staff and a decline in enrolment in French immersion.

In place of the program, the school said it plans to offer a “revised French language learning model.”

“We understand that this news may be disappointing and we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly,” the letter states.

“We are committed to maintaining French programming that will allow students to build their skills should they have the opportunity to further their French instruction in the future.”

Starting next school year, the letter states, students at East Three Elementary will have the option to participate in a daily 90-minute block of French language instruction including language arts and social studies.

In an email to Cabin Radio, Krista Cudmore – the acting superintendent of the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council, or BDDEC – said class sizes will be smaller than the current classroom splits for French immersion. She said that would allow for “more focused attention and support from the teacher.”

Cudmore said there are currently 23 students enrolled in East Three’s French immersion program, representing approximately 6.3 percent of the student population. She said the program is supported by two French immersion teachers.

“BDDEC is committed to supporting students and families through this transition and will continue to prioritize quality language programming across our schools,” she wrote.

Cudmore said the school had been able to offer the immersion program using available surplus funds.

While no funding for French immersion is provided through Jordan’s Principle nor the Inuit Child First Initiative, Cudmore said changes to those federal programs have impacted the education council’s ability to access the surplus funding it previously used to offset unfunded programming costs, including for French immersion.

“At this time, the changes are part of a broader effort to ensure long-term sustainability and effective use of available resources,” she wrote.

“BDDEC will continue to evaluate the program and remain responsive to enrolment trends and financial considerations.”