School Message

.Mackenzie Secondary School is situated in the Rocky Mountain Trench on the traditional territory of the McLeod Lake 
Indian Band and the Tse’khene people. We are the sole high school of 273 grade 7 through 12 students in a community
of 4000. Teaching and support staff number 33 to include a principal, vice principal, youth care worker, aboriginal
education worker, indigenous grad coach, SASO, educational assistants and custodial staff. 
This is the 8th year as a grade 7 to 12 school, with a strong focus on the integration of a grade 7/ 8 middle years 
program. This program offers core course yearlong instruction with 4 teachers in 4 classrooms. Every student receives 4
exploration blocks over the course of the year.
Community support is exceptional in supporting curricular and extra-curricular events. As a community dependent on 
the forest industry, we have witnessed a positive influence with respect to industry support for education. Economic 
impacts in the forest sector leaves significant fluctuation in student population and uncertainty and instability with our 
extended families. Recently we have experienced a leveling off of student numbers with a decline in new families 
relocating to Mackenzie and a decline in families returning post economic down turn. 
Our distance from Prince George can create some challenges in providing in-service and professional development for 
our staff –however, virtual conferencing, and a focus on rural education has made remote opportunities accessible
and necessary. Travel barriers have been reduced and staff are increasingly opting for virtual sessions.
Staff collaborate every Wednesday with Student/Teacher diversified learning time for 1 hour. This model has encouraged 
support from senior teachers in leadership and mentorship roles and enabled all staff to engage in learning, to better
instructional practices, and to focus on increasing student success.