The Palliser School Division is receiving funding to create and support dual-credit programming. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Palliser Schools receiving funds to create & support dual-credit programming

Dec 2, 2025 | 1:30 PM

High school students in parts of southern Alberta will have more opportunities to get an early start on their post-secondary education.

The Alberta Government announced on Friday that it would be investing approximately $4.5 million in dual-credit programming.

These allow students in Grades 10-12 to get an early introduction into specific career pathways, and this hands-on learning will earn them both high school and post-secondary credits.

$1.6 million will help school boards to create 33 new dual-credit courses, while $2.8 million will go towards enhancing existing programs. Another $475,000 from Alberta Assisted Living and Social Supports will be spent on new and enhanced health care assistance programs.

The Palliser School Division was the only local school authority to receive funding under this funding intake.

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Jason Kupery, Associate Superintendent of Learning Services, says Palliser will get $150,000 this year.

He says the expansion of dual-credit programming is important to students as they prepare to make the next leap in their educational journeys.

“Dual Credit is vital to exposing students to potential post-secondary pathways and allows them to feel confidence that they can succeed at a post-secondary level. It is also essential to creating a smoother transition to the post-secondary world for students,” says Kupery.

He adds that this comes as the brand new Southern Alberta Collegiate Institute is set to open in “the New Year,” offering dual-credit pathways in the trades and agriculture. It will be located within Lethbridge Polytechnic (LP), and Kupery explains that students will work alongside Polytechnic instructors.

“We are being intentional with including LP as we want to create more awareness of trades programs and provide a link to LP,” says Kupery.

$100,000 of Palliser’s funding is an enhancement grant, which will be utilized to buy equipment to support dual-credit pathways in schools.

Students will help to build sheds at Noble Central School in Nobleford and at Carmangay School.

The other $50,000 is a start-up grant that will be used to promote programs in technologies such as design, drafting, and architecture.

Kupery says they are looking at implementing courses in Game Design Technology and 3D Architecture. They will share this programming with other school divisions in southern Alberta, so all students can benefit.

The Palliser School Division operates 29 schools in southern Alberta.

A full list of funding recipients can be found in the Alberta Government’s news release.