Inclusive Education
At Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, we believe that every child is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be welcomed, valued, and supported to achieve their fullest potential. Guided by our Catholic faith, we are committed to creating learning environments where every student experiences a true sense of belonging and has opportunities to grow academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Inclusive education is not a place - it is a commitment. It means working together to ensure that every student has equitable access to meaningful learning opportunities, the supports they need, and the relationships that help them thrive.
Our Approach
We recognize that every learner brings unique strengths, interests, experiences, and needs to the classroom. Through high-quality classroom instruction, collaborative problem-solving, and individualized supports, we strive to meet the diverse needs of all learners within their neighbourhood school whenever possible.
Our schools provide a continuum of supports and services that respond to students' changing needs. While most students receive their programming within the regular classroom, some students may access targeted interventions, specialized instruction, therapeutic supports, or alternative learning environments for portions of the school day when these best support their learning and well-being.
Programming decisions are always made collaboratively with families, school teams, and community partners, with the goal of helping each student experience success while fostering independence, dignity, and belonging.
Inclusive Education Liaisons
Every Holy Spirit Catholic school has an Inclusive Education Liaison (IEL) who serves as a key member of the school's learning support team. Working collaboratively with administrators, classroom teachers, educational assistants, families, and specialized professionals, Inclusive Education Liaisons:
- support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of individualized program plans;
- coordinate specialized supports and services;
- coach and build staff capacity to meet diverse learner needs;
- collaborate with families throughout the educational journey;
- facilitate Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) and transition planning; and
- help ensure students receive responsive, coordinated supports that promote success and independence.
Our Inclusive Education Liaisons play an essential role in strengthening inclusive practices across each school while fostering collaborative partnerships focused on student success.
Our Guiding Principles
Holy Spirit Catholic School Division embraces the principles of inclusive education outlined by Alberta Education. These principles guide our decisions, our practices, and our commitment to students and families.
We believe in:
- Valuing diversity by recognizing and celebrating the unique strengths and contributions of every learner.
- Maintaining high expectations by providing meaningful learning opportunities and believing every student can succeed with appropriate supports.
- Understanding individual strengths and needs through ongoing collaboration, assessment, and responsive planning.
- Removing barriers to learning by creating flexible, accessible, and welcoming learning environments.
- Building capacity through continuous learning, collaboration, and professional growth among educators, families, and community partners.
- Working together because successful inclusive education depends on strong partnerships between schools, families, students, and community agencies.
Working Together
Supporting students is a shared responsibility. Strong relationships between home, school, parish, and community create the foundation for student success. Holy Spirit Catholic School Division works closely with numerous community partners to coordinate services and provide comprehensive supports for children and families, including:
- Recovery Alberta and Children's Allied Health Services
- Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Healthy Minds, Healthy Children
- South West Collaborative Support Services (SWCSS)
- Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
- Children's Services
- South West Child and Family Services
- Lethbridge Family Services – Immigrant Services
- Local police services, including the Lethbridge Police Service, Taber Police Service, and RCMP
- School jurisdictions across Southwestern Alberta
- Local parishes and other community organizations
These partnerships help ensure students and families have access to coordinated, responsive supports that extend beyond the classroom.
Learn More
Holy Spirit Catholic School Division follows Alberta Education's vision for an inclusive education system and is committed to continually strengthening inclusive practices that support the success and well-being of every learner.
Additional information is available through Alberta Education:
- Inclusive Education: Definition, Policy and Principles
- Continuum of Supports and Services (Alberta Education): An intentionally designed set of actions, strategies, supports and services designed to maximize the academic success, well-being and sense of belonging of each learner. A continuum is flexible and responsive to learner needs.