Our Education
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Overview →
Elementary →
Intermediate and High School →
Post-Secondary and Adult Education →
FAQs →
Education on Lennox Island
Our Education program offers guidance and support to all Lennox Island band members throughout every stage of their educational journey. Quality education services are provided to students and their families from kindergarten to post-secondary.
John J. Sark Memorial School is the only Band-operated school in Epekwitk (PEI). It welcomes approximately 50 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Social and emotional learning is supported by connecting to land, water, and sky. Through outdoor education initiatives, John J. Sark School weaves Mi’kmaw ways of knowing into daily teaching and learning.
Once students graduate from John J. Sark Memorial School, they move into the provincial public schools branch from Grade 7 – 12. Students of Lennox Island First Nation attend Herenwood Intermediate School and then Westisle Composite High School.
Band members who choose to continue their learning through post-secondary education are able to access a variety of financial assistance through the Lennox Island Education Department and government programs.
Contact Lennox Island Education
kim.colwill@lennoxisland.com
Elementary
John J. Sark Memorial School
Formal education on Lennox Island dates back to 1868, when teacher and Lennox Island Band member, Martin Francis, opened a schoolroom in his home. Today, Lennox Island has its very own Mi’kmaq elementary school, John J. Sark Memorial School.
Our school was opened in 1981 and named after a much-respected teacher in our community, John Jacob Sark. We owe the construction of our school to the hard work and perseverance of community members, including Chief Jack Sark and Chief Charlie Sark, who was the Director of Education for Lennox Island at the time.
Intermediate and High School
Public Schools Branch
There are many resources for parents and secondary students attending grades K – 12 within PEI’s provincial school system. Here you’ll find links to provincial schools, programs of study, Mi’kmaw curricula, the School Food Program and more.
Public Schools Branch
Public Schools Branch: Get information about provincial schools, bus planning, school events, and more. This central resource is helpful for Band families living on or off-reserve with students attending any English provincial school from K to 12.
- Hernewood Intermediate Facebook Page: Stay up-to-date on events and news from Hernewood Intermediate
- Westisle Composite High School Facebook Page: Stay up-to-date on events and news from Westisle Composite High School
French-Language School Board
French-Language School Board: Get information about provincial schools, bus planning, school events, and more. This central resource is helpful for Band families living on or off-reserve with students attending any French provincial school from K to 12.
Curriculum and Resources
- School Food Program: The School Food Program is a provincial lunch program that offers ALL Island students K-12 a healthy and affordable lunch option each school day.
- Programs of Study (K – 12): Learn more about the programs of study and curricula offered at PEI’s public schools.
- Mi’kmaw Curriculum (K-3): Learn more about the Mi’kmaw curriculum offered from Kindergarten to Grade 3. The vision of the curriculum is to provide all students the opportunity for holistic growth and personal development and to engage in the preservation of the Mi’kmaw language, culture, history, traditions, values, and worldview.
- Mi’kmaw Language Curriculum (Grades 7 – 9): Learn more about the Mi’kmaw Language curriculum offered in Grades 7, 8 & 9. The vision of this curriculum is to provide all students with the opportunity for holistic growth and personal development and to engage in the preservation of the Mi’kmaw language, culture, history, traditions, values and worldview.
Post-Secondary and
Adult Education
There are many post-secondary options for Band member students getting ready to graduate high school and adult learners interested in pursuing higher education. Here, you’ll find important information about university and college application deadlines, career fairs, Indigenous and Mi’kmaq programs of study, and more.
Financial Assistance
There are many sources of financial assistance available to Band members pursuing post-secondary education through the Lennox Island Education Department and various government programs. To learn more about Lennox Island Post-Secondary Supports, please view the policy.
Lennox Island Post-Secondary Supports
Provincial and Federal Student Loans
Scholarship and Bursaries
- Search for Indigenous Bursaries
- Ulnooweg Foundation Post-Secondary Bursary Supporting Indigenous Youth to Lead Systemic Change
- AFOA Canada and TD Bank Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples
- Native Women’s Association of Canada Scholarships & Bursaries
- Native Council of PEI Empowerment Scholarships
- George Coles Bursary
- INDspire Bursaries & Awards
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Health Services Scholarship: Working Together for Indigenous Health
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get my transcripts from high school?
A: You can get your high school transit by emailing the Public Schools Branch. Their email is psbreception@edu.pe.ca.
You will need to provide the following information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Year you graduated high school
- High school you attended
- Where you want your transcript sent (e.g. name of college or university, email address, mailing address, pickup, etc.)
Q. How do I apply for post-secondary financial assistance and what is the deadline to apply?
A: Island students enrolled full-time in a designated post-secondary program can apply for financial assistance through both the federal and provincial student financial assistance programs by simply filling out one application. When you complete the online application, you will be assessed all at once for federal and provincial funding, in the form of grants, bursaries, and student loans.
To begin your application, you must create an account with PEI’s Student Financial Services here.
Deadlines for student loan applications depend on what month you are starting your program of study. For more information about student loans and the most up-to-date deadlines, please visit https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-advanced-learning-and-population/getting-a-student-loanPEI Student Financial Services
Q. Who can I contact for assistance with Jordan’s Principle?
A: You can contact Nicole Gorill or Chelsey Bulger through the Lennox Island Health Centre by calling 902-831-2711. Learn more about Jordan’s Principle here
Q. How do I connect to the Powerschool system?
Q. Who can I contact to get support for my or my child’s learning disability?
