Quinte News continues to look at the year ahead.
We sat down with the Director of Education for the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board David DeSantis.
DeSantis says they are now into the third year of their Strategic Plan and they have a lot of things to be proud of.
“The ALCDSB has the highest graduation rates at the four-year and the five-year for our entire region.”
The four-year grad rate is 89.6 and the five-year is 92.5%.
He believes that the Catholic teachings and conditions at the schools lead to success that reveal themselves in those rates.
He says on the infrastructure front, the renos to Belleville’s St Joseph School continue.
“We’re very excited about that. Of course the pandemic with labour and resource shortages has slowed its progress, but we’re still tracking for January of 2024 for it to be ready and it’s going to be 481 elementary student space.”
The school will also include 20 learning studios, gathering stairs, breakout spaces, and early-on rooms for child care.
He added they have also purchased a five-acre property for a new school build in The County.
“A brand new St. Gregory Catholic School will be built. This beautiful acreage of property that butts onto Millennium Trail”
DeSantis says he is excited for the outdoor learning opportunities for staff and students.
It will grow the school population by well over 100 students and he credits the increase to the large amount of residential development in that portion of Picton.
