By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Islamic Academy proposed for Lethbridge

Oct 11, 2016 | 5:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE — A vacant wing of Wilson Middle School could become a temporary home for a Lethbridge Islamic Academy.

The proposal would see kids in kindergarten through grade six able to attend class there to start, as soon as a year from now. But it’s early in the process, according to Lethbridge School District superintendent Cheryl Gilmore.

Gilmore says it would be an alternative program similar to Lethbridge Christian School, the two Immanual schools, or the Montessori program at Fleetwood-Bawden.

“For submission or application for an alternative program it has to fall under one of the categories: it has to emphasize a particular language or culture or religion or subject matter, or use a particular teaching philosophy,” she said.

“The Lethbridge Muslim Association has submitted a proposal for a Lethbridge Islamic Academy to commence at the beginning of the 2017 school year,” she explains. “Then they have to prepare a submission for the board of trustees. Part of that is, the group who’s putting forward the submission being able to express what they anticipate for enrolment and provide evidence of what’s called sustainability.”

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The Lethbridge Muslim Association is gauging interest, and a key part of that will be a registration event at Wilson November 4th. Interested parents can also contact the school district and register by email by November 18th.

She said there has to be enough students to make it viable. According to the school district, the goal is to start with 60 students, and add grades in future years.

The initial home could be a wing at Wilson Middle School that had initially been slated for demolition because of right-sizing at the school, then was suggested for a health and wellness clinic that did not go ahead, and is expected to be needed by Wilson down the road.

Gilmore said a long term vision for a facility for the Islamic Academy would have to be created.