Indigenous Education in School District 8 - Kootenay Lake is designed to support the success of all Indigenous students. First Nations (status and non-status), Métis, and Inuit students who wish to self-identify and participate in the program, are encouraged and welcome! 

Academy PM is a specialized first of its kind, high school program at Mt. Sentinel Secondary School which is offering students opportunities to work in project-based cross curricular learning environments with the goal of preparing them for a career in the world of media production and design. 

ATLAS is an exciting career prep program designed for students who have a strong personal interest in adventure recreation. ATLAS is a practical, hands-on course taught almost exclusively away from the school, in outdoor settings in a variety of seasons. This program is offered at LVRogers Secondary School. 

Board Authority Authorized Courses (BAA) are locally developed courses.  They allow Boards of Education to offer courses that are relevant to the community to meet the needs and interests of students.  BAA courses must be authorized by the Board of Education according to requirements set by the  Ministry of Education.  

Student may earn elective credits towards graduation by successfully completing BAA courses.  

Support for our youngest learners is critical to their success. A variety of programs are in place to ensure the success of our early learners. 

School District 8 Kootenay Lake offers a Late French Immersion Program for students in both Creston and Nelson! French Immersion is a vibrant program of choice,

Our International Education program welcomes students from all over the world, offering an excellent education for our international students while expanding the worldview and global perspective of local learners. 

LVR Dance includes an intensive academy course at LV Rogers Secondary integrates advanced technique classes in ballet and modern dance technique with the Choreography 10-12 curriculum.

Elev8 is our Online Learning program for School District 8 which offers distance education opportunities for students K-12.

SD8 offers three outdoor education programs that include a recreation and education component:

Atlas Program at L.V. Rogers Secondary School in Nelson

Valhalla Wilderness Program at W.E. Graham Community School in the Village of Slocan

YETI Outdoor Program and Kootenay River Secondary School in Creston.

J.V. Humphries Secondary, Salmo Secondary and other schools also offer outdoor education programming or courses.

SD8 Youth Trades is School District 8’s program dedicated to supporting students who are interested in a career path that starts in the trades and helps them figure out what path they would like to pursue, and supports them in their transition to technical training and entering a career in the trades.

Early Childhood Care Education Dual Credit Programs
SD8 Kootenay Lake has partnered with regional colleges to offer an Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) dual credit program for high school students in grades 11 or 12. 
The programs are one semester each, and will provide students with graduation credits as well as credit toward an ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) program certificate. Students who complete the semester program will be eligible to become an ECE Assistant.
The program is offered at two campuses, the College of the Rockies (Spring Semester) and Selkirk College (Fall Semester).
SD8 Kootenay Lake pays for the tuition, textbooks, technology, and any transportation costs for the ECCE Dual Credit Program.