Juno Beach Academy: Parents, students fight to keep it open

Parents, students and teachers are trying to convince the public school board not to close Juno Beach Academy of Canadian Studies in southeastCalgary.

The school offers an alternative program that aims to help students develop a deeper sense of their country through a unique curriculum that focuses on principles of Canadian citizenship in an environment that supports the Canadian Cadet movement, its website says.

However the academys low enrolment figures just over 100 students has the Calgary Board of Education threatening to shut it down.

Kathy Cross, who chairs the academys parent council, says they just need a chance to prove themselves.

Give us three years. Let us grow the program. Let us make an honest effort to get this curriculum and school to the quota they wanted, which initially was 300, she said.

At a rally and information session on Thursday evening, at least 10 parents expressed an interest in enrolling their children, Cross says.

"I'm crossing my fingers and toes that we can pull this off and keep this school going, she said.

Brian Giger enrolled his daughter last fall and says he has seen a huge difference.

"She's doing super well. She is making friends left, right and centre, he said.

Grade 11 student Liam Boyle, who has attended Juno Beach for five years, says it has been a great experience for him.

I find the teaching here is exceptional and you get a lot of hands-on experience and one-on-one conversations with the teacher you wouldnt get in normal high schools, he said.

The parentcouncil will meet with the boardnext week to discuss the school's future.