Fort Smith’s students can follow their education right from Kindergarten to post-secondary within the town’s borders.
Culture camps, literacy activities, cultural language programs, french immersion programs, student achievement awards, and parent councils create a vibrant educational environment. Fort Smith is considered an education center in the North and students from across the NWT and Nunavut are enrolled at the local Aurora College campus.
The elementary and high schools are governed by the South Slave Divisional Education Council and the Fort Smith District Education Authority.
All of our educational institutions are at the heart of community spirit in Fort Smith.
Joseph Burr Tyrell Elementary School
Approximately 300 students are enrolled at JBT Elementary School in Kindergarten to Grade 6. Both English and French Immersion tracks are offered for all grades.
Joseph Burr Tyrell Elementary School Website
Paul William Kaeser High School
PWK High School offers Grade 7 to 12 as well as an alternative study program, Phoenix School. The school boasts an active and varied selection of extracurricular activities including athletics, student leadership, and student interest clubs.
Paul William Kaeser High School Website
Aurora College – Thebacha Campus
Thebacha is the largest of Aurora College’s three campuses in the NWT. Aurora College supports their students, faculty, and staff in their pursuit of academic excellence.
Programs include:
- Class 3 Driver Training
- Class 1 Driver Entry Level Training (ELT)
- General Studies
- Observer/Communicator
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Fundamentals of Electrical 1
- Fundamentals of Carpentry 1
- Camp Cook
- Building Trades Helper
- Underground Miner
- Oil Heat Systems Technician
- Plumber/Gasfitter B
- Housing Maintainer
- Electrician
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Carpenter
- Environment and Natural Resources Technology
- University and College Access Program (UCAP)
- Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP)
- Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE)
- Office Administration
There are a number of preschool programs and day homes available in Fort Smith for children who are below school age. For an up-to-date contact list, contact Town Hall at 867-872-8400.
Aurora College - Thebacha Campus Website
University
The Town of Fort Smith is pleased to support the long term vision of Aurora College to grow as a degree-granting polytechnic university and how this will help Fort Smith and the Territory; from educating our students to growing our intellectual capital in every community as well as fostering innovation and success.
View information about post-secondary education in the North