Support for Learners
Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.
Vital Signs Data
Updated December 27, 2023
Compared to the richest 29 countries in the world, Canada ranks 17 in overall child and youth well-being. Indicators include educational achievement, health, and happiness. Youth sense of well-being is the predominant influence on how well they live their lives – mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically, in connection with others and with the places they live.
Pillars for youth well-being and success
Greater Than County Youth Collective consists of 28 organizations whose goal is to raise the High School graduation rate in Prince Edward County to parity with the provincial average by 2026. The Greater Than Theory of Change, developed through a series of workshops, youth surveys and research, includes these five pillars to support youth success:
- Well-being: Youth are physically, emotionally and mentally well.
- Empowerment: Youth feel valued in their community and have a voice.
- Education Support: Youth are engaged in their learning.
- Career and Employment Support: Youth see the relevance of their education to their future.
- Family Care-Giver Peer Support: Youth feel connected to their family care-givers and peers.
Barriers to success
- During the pandemic, many children and youth have experienced disengagement, chronic attendance problems, declines in academic achievement, and decreased credit attainment, with the impact far deeper for those already at-risk.
- Remote learning has further revealed inequities in household internet access and technical capabilities. Low income households are significantly less likely to have home internet and multiple internet-enabled devices. (Canadian Science Publishing)
- Transportation is a barrier to accessing services and activities.
- Bullying, including cyberbullying threatens mental well-being. Most vulnerable are racialized groups, LGBTQ2SIA+ youth, persons living with disabilities, and those living in poverty. (Greater Than County Youth Collective youth surveys 2017, 2019, 2021) In a 2022 survey of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) conducted by All Welcome Here, 100% of BIPOC students at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute reported being victim to race-based bullying.
- Children in low socioeconomic communities are almost twice as likely to be behind in early development skills as high-socioeconomic status peers. (Pan-Canadian Public Health Network)
- HPEDSB school suspension rates have historically been high compared to provincial rates. (Ontario, Suspension rates by school board) The concern is that suspended students may not return to complete their education.
| HPE 2011 | HPE 2016 | HPE 2021 | Ontario 2021 | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School suspension rate | 7.54% | 6.08% | 2.08% | 0.76% | Govt of Ontario |
Schools & Educational Institutions
Post-secondary
Prince Edward County is in close proximity to five educational institutions in Kingston, Tyendinaga, and Belleville including Queen’s University, the Royal Military College of Canada, First Nations Technical Institute, St. Lawrence College and Loyalist College.
Primary and Secondary Schools
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 15,000 students at 39 in-person schools (32 elementary, two K-12; four 7-12, one secondary) and a K-10 virtual school. The district covers a geographic area of 7,220 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.
The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board serve students of the Roman Catholic faith. Their schools cover the area from Whitney to the north, Kingston to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.
Sonrise Christian Academy is located in Picton and offers K-6 education to families in Prince Edward County.
Support and resources for learners
Pre-school
The HUB Child & Family Centre EarlyON Program centre offers free, high-quality drop-in programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. Parents can learn and play with their children, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals.
Child Care Centres & Before/After Programs
YMCA – Kids Club, Massassaga-Rednerville School
The Hub – Kente, Ameliasburgh
The Hub – CML Snider, Wellington
Reaching for Rainbows, Picton
The Hub- PECI, Picton
The Hub- St. Gregory’s, Picton
The Hub – Picton Daycare and is a Child Care program
Map: https://lennoxaddington.maps.arcgis.com/
Fee subsidies: https://lennoxaddington.maps.arcgis.com
For girls aged 6 / 7 years 8 / 9 years
Reaching for Rainbows program for girls aged 6 / 7 years 8 / 9 years builds confidence and self-esteem in young girls and nurtures a sense of belonging.
Serving the needs of low income families and at risk children
Youth grades 7 through 12
theROC Youth Services provide opportunities, mentorship and programs in a safe environment that encourages youth success and contributes to a healthier community. ROC offers snacks and taxis when funding allows for it. There is no-cost to particpants.
All ages
PEC Library is located in six locations through PEC. Their resources can be used to support the Ontario curriculum and learning adventures! Services are open to teachers, home educators, and anyone who’s interested in learning.
Adult literacy
Prince Edward Learning Centre is dedicated to helping adult learners acquire the skills needed to achieve their personal learning and employment goals. Support is provided to:
- Upgrade Literacy & Essential Skills
- Finish High School
- Prepare to write the GED
- Prepare for Work or a Career
- Prepare for College
- Prepare for Apprenticeship & Training
- Develop Skills for Personal Independence
- INSPIRE paid workplace training and placement program.
Loyola School of Adult and Continual Learning, Picton campus
Earn high school credits.
Loyalist College – College Prep. Program, 613-969-1913 Belleville
Literacy and Basic Skills program – continuous intake literacy and adult upgrading program. Ages 18 yrs and up. Apply at Pioneer Building. No fees; covered by Employment Ontario.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
SDG 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. SDG 4.4 Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
Also see …
Education
Education is a process that begins before school…
Support for Learners
Youth sense of well-being is the predominant influence…
Education: Collaborative Impact
Greater Than County Youth Collective consists of 28…
Education – Actions
Education and Youth: Advancing well-being together
