Alberta Education announced the closure of Trinity Christian School Association along with Wisdom Home Schooling on Tuesday, October 25, leaving 3,500 students without a registered school association. This came as a shock to a few local families.
Education Minister David Eggen canceled Trinity Christian School’s registration and accreditation after what appears to be financial irregularities discovered after its operations were reviewed.
Anna Gullacher, a local Grade 11 student who was enrolled with Wisdom Home Schooling, told inSide Drumheller, “We received a call shortly after three o'clock on Tuesday from Alberta Education. My younger sister thought it was a telemarketer and hung up. So we really didn’t find out until my mom’s friend called.”
Families were contacted through a voice message played over the phone stating that Trinity had been shut down. The families were given no details at the time leaving many worried families unsure of the future of their children’s education.
Anna said, “I didn’t really know what they meant until later that evening. We weren’t really given any instructions as to what to do except that we were to be registered with a new school board within two weeks. It just was really shocking. I’ve always worked really hard to keep my marks high and to be able to finish some of my subjects this year. I have to register for my diplomas but without a school board I can’t register.”
Other school boards such as Golden Hills have issued statements offering registration for any families affected by this school closure. Golden Hills, along with most school boards, have a homeschooling option available, where students are able to continue their home education.
Most parents have found themselves frustrated with the fact that they received no warning and the lack of information provided. Wisdom Home Schooling has now retained legal assistance and most families are holding out until more information is available.
Anna’s mother, Sandra Gullacher is frustrated.
“Home school kids are not social misfits. Our son graduated this past year. He is off on an adventure overseas to Asian cultures in pursuit of experiencing a deeper knowledge of a variety of cultures. He custom fabricates items for RCSparks YouTube channel and he has owned his own business since age 15,” she said. “Our teenage daughter studies hard in preparation for diploma exams in pursuit of entering a post-secondary institute to study Music Therapy. She also teaches piano and holds down a job as a water safety instructor. Our youngest daughter loves learning, competes on a swim team and a dance team.”
“Our kids have been under a great deal of stress this past week due to the actions taken by the Alberta Education department.”
