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Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary and Junior High School

Canada
Photo by Unknown authorUnknown author on Unsplash
Type
Public
Founded
2021
Languages
English, French

"Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary and Junior High School is a public Catholic school in Edmonton, Canada, operated by Edmonton Catholic Schools."

With a mission rooted in faith, academic excellence, and holistic child development, the school brings together a values-driven Catholic ethos with the internationally recognized rigor of the International Baccalaureate framework, offering families a distinctive blend of spiritual formation and globally minded education. Founded in 2021, Bishop David Motiuk is one of Edmonton's newer school communities, built from the ground up with a clear and coherent educational vision. Despite its relatively recent establishment, the school has quickly developed a strong identity, drawing families who are seeking both a faith-based environment and a structured, inquiry-led approach to learning. Academically, the school offers two IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme for younger students and the Middle Years Programme for older elementary and junior high students. Together, these programmes provide a seamless continuum of internationally benchmarked education from the earliest grades through junior high. The IB philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and student agency, encouraging learners to ask meaningful questions, make connections across disciplines, and develop the attributes of the IB Learner Profile — qualities such as open-mindedness, integrity, and a genuine love of learning. For families relocating from other IB schools anywhere in the world, this curricular continuity can make transitions significantly smoother for children. Instruction at Bishop David Motiuk is delivered in both English and French, reflecting Canada's bilingual heritage and Edmonton Catholic Schools' commitment to French language education. This dual-language offering is a meaningful asset for families who value bilingualism or who are coming from francophone backgrounds, as well as those who simply want their children to develop strong French proficiency alongside their English studies. The school is part of the Edmonton Catholic Schools district, one of Alberta's largest and most respected Catholic school authorities, which provides families with the assurance of strong institutional support, experienced leadership, and well-resourced programming. As a public school within the district, it is publicly funded, making its IB programming accessible without the private school tuition that IB education often requires elsewhere in the world — a noteworthy advantage for relocating families comparing their options. For expat families and relocating professionals moving to Edmonton, Bishop David Motiuk represents a genuinely compelling option: a young, energetic school community with a clear sense of purpose, an internationally portable curriculum, bilingual instruction, and the nurturing environment that characterizes Catholic education. Its combination of IB programming within a publicly funded, faith-based setting is relatively rare, and families who prioritize both academic challenge and values-centered schooling will find much to appreciate here. Those considering the school are encouraged to visit the school's website at bishopdavidmotiuk. ecsd. net to learn more about enrollment, upcoming community events, and the school's evolving programmes and traditions.

IB Programmes
PYP
Primary Years Programme
MYP
Middle Years Programme
Location
Canada