We recently completed our first reporting period at McNair. Overall, our students are performing very well, and we are proud of their achievements!

In keeping with our focus on enhancing Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we are often curious about the school experience of various groups within our school community. In reviewing achievement data, we have noted a trend in that our students who identify as Indigenous are not performing as well as the rest of the school population. This is illustrated in the charts below:

Of note, the rate of Indigenous students performing at the highest levels of achievement (Extending in grades 8-9 or A in grades 10-12) is roughly half that of their non-Indigenous classmates. Similarly, the rate of Indigenous students performing at the lowest levels of achievement in grades 8-9 (Emerging) is nearly triple their non-Indigenous classmates.

In an effort to adress this achievement gap, we will shortly begin piloting a program in Richmond School District that provides support to these students with the addition of an Indigenous Graduation Coach to our staff for the remainder of this school year. This on-site teacher will work in close collaboration with the district’s Indigenous Success Team and our school staff to provide additional support, encouragement, and/or a safe place for McNair’s Indigenous students. We are looking forward to one of our current McNair teachers taking on this exciting role in the coming weeks.