Elm Street School

Past and Present


Elm Street School was built on a potato field in the western part of Summerside at the time of the expansion of CFB Summerside. The cornerstone was laid on December 6, 1961 by the Honourable John G. Diefenbaker. It opened its doors to students in January 1962 housing grades one to eight under the guidance of principal, Frances (Peg) McNeil

Since Mr. McNeil, the following have served as principals at Elm Street School:  Rufus Reid (1965-69); Stuart Burbine (1969-71); Douglas Currie (1971-85); James Campbell(1985-1991, 1992-1995); Marcia Whalen (1991-91) Gordon Dudley (1995-99)  Ron Taweel (1999); and Helen MacKinnon (1999-2002).   The principal since 2002 has been Jerry McAulay.

Elm Street School became a dual tract school in 1977.  We have grades 1-6 in both English and French Immersion.  Our present population is 475 students, with almost equal numbers in English and French Immersion.

The instructional staff includes 10 English and 11 French Immersion classroom teachers, as well as specialists teaching  Music, Physical Education, Teacher/Librarian, Core French and half-time Guidance Counsellor.

To support our Special Needs students we have a total of 6 Teacher's Assistants that work in conjunction with the classroom teachers and our Special Education teachers.  We are fortunate to have a Special Education teacher in French Immersion as well as 2.5 Special Education teachers in English.  We are also part of the Reading Recovery Program with a two 0.5 Reading Recovery Specialists.  A French Monitor works with our French Immersion and Core French students as well.  And of course, the school would not run so smoothly without our secretary, two custodians and a cleaner.