Students at Fort St. John ELC school report mental health decrease

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Students’ mental health at a Fort St. John school took a downturn last year, but their literacy assessments improved.

That’s according to Energetic Learning Campus’ vice principal, Lori Coulter, who outlined the framework for enhancing student experience from 2024-25 at a School District 60 (SD60) meeting on March 3rd. 

During SD 60’s March 3rd meeting, the board received a presentation from ELC’s vice principal, Lori Coulter, outlining the framework for enhancing student learning. 

The presentation provided an update on the campus’ student learning outcomes, concerns and celebrations over the past year. 

According to the presentation, when students were asked to describe their mental health, 54 per cent said good, very good or excellent, which is a decrease from 63 per cent the previous year. 

Students also reported a decrease in learning to care for their mental health from 43 per cent in the 2024/23 year to 47 per cent in 2024/25. 

“This is a focus area we tried hard to improve in and we did not see improvements,” said Coulter. 

However, the number of students reporting that school is preparing them for post-secondary education increased from 47 per cent to 64 per cent.

The campus has seen a literacy assessment increase from 76 per cent to 81 per cent. 

The presentation outlined three framework goals:

• Increase academic achievement and foster independent learners
• Encourage a safe, caring, inclusive school community where members live within the foundational pillars of the ELC
• Increase opportunities for students to explore a variety of careers

The school says it will achieve these goals by “increasing” the universal design for learning capacity, which is a guiding design for meeting students’ needs and ensuring all students learn, as well as supporting students with low grades in core subjects like math. 

“Workplace math fail rate will be 15 per cent or less for students who attend more than 75 per cent of classes,” said Coulter. 

ELC said the second goal will be achieved by fostering health and mental wellbeing awareness.

“If we include six to eight mental health moments in classes and offer ‘mindful Mondays’ focused on mental health and wellbeing, students will learn to care more about their overall wellbeing,” said Coulter. 

ELC is also looking to provide opportunities for career expansion with several job fairs such as the ELC Annual Career Fair, Louisiana Pacific Mill Tour and Career Fair, Creating Energy Careers Tour, FSJ Innovation Day and Northern Lights College tour, which focuses on healthcare and social work programs.