Vernon Barford Junior High 2.63

Edmonton Public Schools is the largest public school district in Edmonton, the second largest in Alberta, and the sixth largest in Canada. The district offers a variety of alternative and special needs programs, and many are offered in multiple locations to improve accessibility for students. As a public system, Edmonton Public Schools accepts all students who meet age and residency requirements.SizeEdmonton Public Schools operates 199 schools. The proposed operating budget is $939.5 million for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. There is a total of 124 elementary schools, 26 elementary/junior high schools, 6 elementary/junior/senior high schools, 27 junior high schools, 3 junior/senior highs, 13 senior high schools, and 18 other educational programs are offered.Over 83,000 students attend Edmonton Public Schools and there are over 7,000 full-time staff equivalencies.GovernanceA group of nine elected trustees sit on the Board of Trustees for Edmonton Public Schools. Each trustee represents one ward in the city. They are elected every four years, in the regular municipal election. In the election, Edmonton voters can only vote for a trustee to one (not both) of the two main school boards. The last election was held in October 21, 2013. The public and Catholic systems operate independently of each other, and are both under the direct authority of the provincial government of Alberta.HistoryEdmonton's first schoolhouse was built in 1881. The wooden frame building is situated on the same grounds as historic McKay Avenue School. Known now as the 1881 Schoolhouse, it was the first free public school in Alberta. While in use, until 1904, it sometimes served as a courthouse and meeting hall. Also a Provincial Historic Resource, the little school was restored as an Edmonton Public Schools' centennial project in 1982 and moved up from its river valley home of many years to within a few hundred meters of its original location.