The Central Okanagan School District is pushing for more French Immersion offerings on the west side.
In addition to a recently approved grade six late-immersion program at Glenrosa Middle School (set to begin in September of 2019), they're hoping to add a grade four middle-immersion program at one of the elementary schools, which would feed into Glenrosa Middle.
Superintendant Kevin Kardaal says the expansion comes from a growing demand for French Immersion programs in the region.
"A second language does present certain advantages sometimes for certain career paths, "says Kardaal. "It is Canada's second official language, so people are interested in making sure that their children are billingual."
The only French Immersion program currently on the west side is offered at George Pringle Elementary, with students starting to learn the language as early as Kindergarten.
An online survey from this past summer showed that families were mostly in favour of a middle immersion program at either George Pringle, Rose Valley, or Glenrosa Elementary.