Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ international student program has been a success on the language and culture front for both local and overseas students, and in assisting with the organization’s bottom line.
In the past, questions have been raised as to the programs viability and on Jan. 25, Superintendent Chris MacPhee gave an overview of the ISP program over the past three years.
The number of ISP students varies from 45 to 60, either full time or part time, and CRPS uses international agents to assist in finding students and families interested in the program.
According to statistics requested by the school board, between CRPS’s ISP program and summer ESL (English as a second language) programs, $394,000 was had in 2015-16, $444,000 in 2014-15 and $483,000 in 2013-14, with the majority from the international students.
“There are substantial funds coming into the division we otherwise wouldn’t have,” said Dave Mackenzie, secretary-treasurer.
“Over three years, there is a $440,000 profit margin,” said MacPhee. “That puts four to six teachers into classrooms we otherwise couldn’t afford.
“In the past, Brian (former superintendent Callaghan) did an amazing job building this program and he did a tremendous amount of the work himself. The relationships you build with the agents are extremely difficult and you need to work for years before they’ll send you a student.
“But now, we’ve been able to change it a bit. We’ve had six different people recruiting in different places and only two of us are staff. The program expanded and almost doubled in the past four years.
“When I came in, the tuition was in the $300,000 range and now we’re almost double that.”
Expansion included other countries (ie. Mexico and a first student from Italy next year), so as to not have only German students taking part and retain program diversity. ISP students are spread through classes, grades and communities and students are assessed as to their level of English.
“Because the students are spread through the entire system,” said MacPhee, “if we didn’t have the extra teaching positions, our class sizes would jump significantly. Four to six staff members in this division would be a major hit for us.
“But for me, the most important aspect of the program is having our own CRPS students exposed to other cultures and languages. There’s a huge benefit that poses within our student body. We’ve seen many relationships develop and students end up going back and forth with students and families.”
As to further growth in the ISP program, MacPhee said the limiting factor is homestay families. “We turn away students every year.”
Trustee Luke Sunderland said, “I’ve had first-hand experience with how great the program is. For the student’s it’s fantastic. But the trend is very clear with slightly lower revenue and expenses continually going up. I believe some of the costs should be offset to the families, because the program is better than ever. Every year it gets better.”
CRPS program costs are compared to others, and the main competition the ISP has, said MacPhee, is B.C., which is where the majority of students want to go. Across Canada, $26 billion goes into ISP, with about $1 billion going to B.C.
“We’re higher than everybody in Alberta (cost-wise), and our homestay pay is $900 (monthly) and in Red Deer, it’d be $600 or $700.”
But the special nature of the Bow Valley remains a big draw for international students, said MacPhee.
Board chair Carol Picard asked if international students present any problems for teachers in classrooms, and MacPhee said there are in some cases, but added there are supports in place, including ESL programs. A challenge is also presented by students who think they should be at a higher level of courses within the CRPS system.
In the end, said MacPhee, there is likely little room for more growth with the ISP program, but there is room for growth in ESL and summer programs.
“They are two or three week programs and there is a good revenue stream and profit margin.”
MacPhee’s predecessor Callaghan spoke in support of the program at the end of the meeting.
“We had this discussion 20 years ago in the Bow Valley. As a business we saw our schools peak in enrolment back in the late ‘90s and since then have suffered a steady decline. We had a choice; accept the steady decline, or go and fill those empty spaces.
“So with great entrepreneurial spirit and a spirit that invokes, say, education tourism, we have taken everything Canadian Rockies stands for and offered it on a world stage with an increasing appetite.
“Chris’s invocation of homestay families is really the cap on the program. The old policy used to cap international students at 10 per cent of a school. I don’t know if that’s still on the books, but that may be another conversation.
“But remember, with homestays you are continually recruiting, vetting, training, supporting and then allowing them to rest. Because after you’ve had a son or daughter in your family for a couple of years, you will want other things in your life.
“I commend the district for the supports it’s put in there for families. I too was a homestay father and am still in touch with the boys who lived with our family. They’re part of our family.”
“Without CEUs (continuing education units) and double track and external revenues, the district would probably still be in red ink. You can’t fulfill dreams for students and staff if you’re wallowing in red ink.”
