PSD update - February 17, 2026

PARKLAND COUNTY---- Parkland School Division's latest board meeting was held on Tuesday, during which a presentation on the REAL and LAWS programs was made.

The REAL program is meant to support students with severe cognitive delays whose needs cannot be fully met in a typical classroom even with the supports in place. The program is offered at two sites this year- Meridian Heights and Roxson Park.

"We have four classrooms at Roxson Park and three classrooms at Meridian Heights. So, it's reduced the transportation barrier that can often exist for kids in these programs and just increased the opportunity from five classrooms to seven, " said Nealle Dickson, Division Principal of Student Services.

She also mentioned bringing in specialized nursing experts to allow students to focus on learning while their medical needs are managed.

The LAWS program is located at Spruce Grove Composite high school and Memorial high school. The program is meant to support high school students with cognitive and adaptive needs who require a different pathway from traditional diploma programming.

"Something that's new this year that we're working and focusing on is our transition to adulthood. So starting in grade 10, students and families will participate in an annual meeting to review an individualized high school completion plan and prepare for after high school ," said Nealle Dickson, Division Principal of Student Services.

Parents with children in the REAL and LAWS programs shared their perspectives too.

"It ticked all the boxes for me, smaller class sizes, increased support as well as academics. It's a perfect balance between supports, academics, for my family and for a lot of families," said Jessica Troock, a parent with a child in the REAL program at Meridian Heights.

The board said that meeting the needs of the students is critically important and one of their major goals.