A High Academic Standard

Maaqtusiis Elementary is a school of about 135 students from K-7 serving the population of Ahousaht, a rural village on Flores island. It is a BC Independent school following BC prescribed curriculum with a focus on First Nations and in particular, Nuchahnuulth culture as it relates to the Ahousaht people. Students have weekly culture classes but also have culture and language embedded in their daily routine such as saying morning and lunch prayers in their native language. Word of the week is shared within the school and used daily by everyone. Science and social studies incorporate seasonal and cultural activities such as cranberry picking and processing, salmon fishing and other food or medicine gathering. Class sizes are small and are generally single grade. Reading is a big goal of the school with dedicated times where students have small groups so that they can work at their own level. In the past few years, the staff and students have worked hard at this goal dramatically increasing student ability.

The school is well staffed with 8 classroom teachers, a culture teacher, a PE teacher, a special ed resource teacher, a counsellor,10 education assistants, a principal, 2 custodians, secretary and maintenance. It is located in a cluster of education buildings: preschool, elementary, high school, shared gym and adult education. All education is overseen by Ahousaht Education Authority.

The school climate is one of high academic expectations within a surrounding of respect and caring for one another.