About Our School

Grades Taught

K-8

About

Derek Taylor Public School is a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school with 345 students and 42 staff. The school is located in the Mission Heights neighborhood in southwest Grande Prairie. Derek Taylor's catchment area includes the Mission and Kensington neighbourhoods. Derek Taylor Public School boundary students transition to Charles Spencer High School for Grade 9.

Picture of the front of Derek Taylor School

Derek Taylor Public School is a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school located in the Mission Heights neighborhood in southwest Grande Prairie. Derek Taylor's catchment area includes the Mission and Kensington neighbourhoods. Derek Taylor Public School boundary students transition to Charles Spencer High School for Grade 9.

Our School opened in 2007 and was named after Derek Taylor, who was superintendent of the GPPSD from 1969-1995. He was one of the longest-serving school superintendents in Alberta history. Derek Taylor's Biography.

Some of the highlights inside Derek Taylor Public School focused personalized learning for our students and our strong connection to our community. We believe in recognizing student success both inside and outside of the classroom. While academics remain a strong focus in our inclusive environment, we believe physical and emotional health is a foundation upon which our students’ futures will be built.

Who we are!

Our Mission and Vision: Derek Taylor Public School is an energetic and enthusiastic professional learning community dedicated to creating a challenging learning environment. We provide opportunities that help motivate and encourage all our students to become lifelong learners.

Meet our School Administrators

Pictures of Shelly Bracko Principal and Janice Barrett Vice Principal

School Council our Partners in Education

School Council Information can be found HERE

Meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 pm
School Council Chair contact information and meeting information can be found HERE

At Derek Taylor Public School we...

are fortunate that 95% of our students are within walking distance of our school so we continue to advocate for a strong community. We are currently 355 students, and we have a staff of 29 which includes 15 teachers, 6 educational assistants, 1 library tech, 1 administrative assistant, 4 custodians and 2 administrators. We are committed to the growth of our students, academically, socially and emotionally. Derek Taylor students will become energetic citizens in our community who are prepared for the future.

Our School Education Plan is focused on:

Priority: Teaching, Learning and Leading
Outcome: Responsive Pedagogy which addresses the unique learning needs of students

Daily writing instruction/Math fluency instruction
STEM Incorporation
Social Emotional Learning

To see our full School Educational Plan and Results Report - Click HERE

Programs of Choice Offered at Derek Taylor

The Academy where a passion for sport or fine art can positively drive a passion for education and character development. The goal is to integrate excellence in education, athletics, and positive character development in every day of our student-athletes’ educational experience.

See more information about The Academy by visiting the Grande Prairie Public School Division site.
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Music Program Grade 5-8 provides students the opportunity to be part of an inclusive and vibrant community. All students are supported through quality programming which inspires curiosity, increases confidence, embraces creativity, and develops a sense of personal achievement. Our music program creates a community rich with diversity and collaboration which encourages lifelong learning.

See more information about Music Program Grades 5-8 by visiting the Grande Prairie Public School Division site.
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STEM Learning providing students an opportunity to develop a passion in the areas of "Science, Technology, Engineering and Math." Students will investigate and explore innovative and creative solutions to real world problems.

See more information about STEM Learning by visiting the Grande Prairie Public School Division site.
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KinderPAL is an early learning Program of Choice for kindergarten-age students in GPPSD schools. The Play and Learn experience is programming in a classroom setting where students experience peer-based play as they continue developing and growing their knowledge.

Students will experience full school day learning with kindergarten programming for half their time, and the other half is KinderPAL. It follows the school’s full-day bell schedule and calendar. A certified teacher provides kindergarten curriculum instruction, and a KinderPAL Instructor provides KinderPAL programming.  

See more information about KinderPAL by visiting the Grande Prairie Public School Division site.
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Grande Prairie Public School Division

About Our School

Grades Taught