The Saskatoon Public Schools Board of Education held its second regular meeting of the 2026-27 school year on October 13, 2026. The meeting featured a presentation on immersive learning through STARLAB, along with reports on student enrollment and learning achievement.

Celebrating Excellence: STARLAB

The meeting opened with a Celebrating Excellence presentation showcasing STARLAB, a portable planetarium that brings curriculum to life through immersive, hands-on learning.

Education consultants Jaime Schroeder and Alisha Demmings, STARLAB-trained teachers Maxine Panchuk and Brianna Aubin, and a Buena Vista School student shared how the resource supports student engagement and learning.

STARLAB transforms school spaces - typically gymnasiums - into immersive environments where students can explore stars and constellations, the solar system, Indigenous astronomy, space exploration, and more. The experience encourages curiosity, questioning, and connections between classroom learning and different ways of knowing.

Two STARLAB planetariums are available for schools to borrow, while a third is located at the Brightwater Science, Environmental and Indigenous Learning Centre. Trained teachers and additional facilitation supports help make the experience accessible to students across the division.

2026–27 Student Enrollment

The board received the annual enrollment accountability report, which provides an overview of student numbers and trends across the division.

As of September 30, 2026, Saskatoon Public Schools had 28,713 students enrolled from Prekindergarten to Grade 12, compared to 28,858 at the same time last year. This indicates that enrollment remains stable.

Several schools experienced notable growth, including Bedford Road Collegiate, Aden Bowman Collegiate, Roland Michener School and wâhkôhtowin School.

French Immersion enrollment remained stable, while Saskatoon International Education continued to grow, reaching 111 international students.

The division will continue monitoring enrollment trends, demographic changes, and school capacities to support responsible staffing, resource allocation, and long-term planning.

Student Learning Results: Grades 1–8

The board also received an accountability report on student learning results in Grades 1–8, with a focus on literacy achievement and ongoing efforts to support student success.

The report highlighted the division's continued commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction, assessment and professional learning for educators.

Across Grades 1–6 English, the percentage of students reading at or above grade level increased in every grade between 2023–24 and 2025–26. While results show improvement, achievement gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students remain an important area of focus.

Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, Saskatoon Public Schools is implementing new provincial literacy assessments for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students as part of the Ministry of Education's Actions to Improve Early Literacy initiative. These assessments will establish new baseline data to help monitor student achievement and inform instruction and intervention.

The report also provided a final review of historical literacy results under the division's previous assessment measures and outlined ongoing work to strengthen literacy instruction and support students with diverse learning needs.

Other Board Business

The board also considered an amendment to its three-year Preventative Maintenance and Renewal Plan, including proposed projects at Aden Bowman Collegiate, Evan Hardy Collegiate, Lakeview School, and Central Office.

Additional business included an independent pension trustee appointment and the selection of voting delegates for the Saskatchewan School Boards Association's 2026 Annual General Meeting.

Next Board Meeting

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or watch online.