merritt

About Us

About Our District


School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) encompasses two distinct communities, Merritt and Princeton.  The two communities are joined by Highway 5A, which curves through beautiful ranchland and around numerous lakes.  Both communities are approximately three hours from Vancouver, with quick freeway access to the Okanagan and Kamloops regions. Reflecting our multicultural diversity, our district offers language instruction in two First Nations languages and French Immersion.

Our two communities are located in the Similkameen and Nicola Valleys. We offer peaceful community living in close proximity to exciting urban centres. Caring and passionate district and school personnel have developed strong relationships and partnerships with parents and the community, resulting in innovative, supportive educational programs. Our unique multicultural community fosters acceptance and cooperation.

We offer a range of learning opportunities for students including an independent directed studies program, a continuing education centre, and a distributed learning center. A teacher-student laptop program and secondary alternate programs are available. Students’ educational experiences are enhanced through diverse programs in fine arts, trades, athletics, and K-12 French immersion that is offered in Merritt.

Our Vision

Success for all learners, today and tomorrow

Our Mission

  • Supporting excellence in teaching and learning
  • Challenging and supporting staff and our students to pursue their personal best
  • Recognizing and celebrating cultural diversity and the heritage of our communities
  • Encouraging parental involvement with students at home and school through meaningful relationships with families and communities
  • Fostering resiliency, resourcefulness, respect and independence
  • Inspiring curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in all students and staff to achieve their full potential
  • Providing safe and nurturing learning environments for ALL students to achieve their full potential
  • Recruiting the best qualified personnel, providing ongoing, systematic professional development and retaining outstanding staff
  • Providing timely, relevant and useful information and data to students, staff, parents and partner groups

Our School District values:

  • Inclusive education and partnerships
  • The diversity of our communities
  • Fairness and due process in decision making
  • The heritage and culture of Aboriginal (Inuit, Indian and Metis)  and First Nations people, with recognition of the traditional territory of the local Nle’kepmx and Syilx peoples
  • The dignity of all individuals
  • The important role of parents and caregivers in support of their child’s education
  • The pursuit of excellence and personal best
  • The well-being of students and staff
  • Parental and student choice with respect to how, when, and where learning takes place
  • Responsible Citizenship
  • Regular, effective and relevant communications
  • Positive relationships based on trust and mutual respect
  • Innovation and promising educational practices