As was the case with the residential survey, business owners/senior managers who do not have children in the K-12 school division generally think students of Saskatoon Public Schools receive a quality education. This statement received the highest level of agreement, at 83.2%; followed by “Saskatoon Public Schools make decisions that encourage growth, improvement, and innovation” (77.3%), and “Saskatoon Public Schools make responsible financial decisions” (75.5%).

The remaining three statements received somewhat less favourable responses. Overall, 60% of respondents agree that, “Saskatoon Public Schools prepare students for life after school”, while 44% agree that, “In general, Saskatoon Public Schools communicate effectively with the business community” and 39% agree that “The business community has the appropriate level of input and involvement in Public Schools”.

Respondent comments - What are we doing well?

In response to the question, "What are we doing well?", respondents' comments followed three main themes


Provide an excellent education


  • “I think they are doing well with gearing the education to the mainstream population. They provide education for the average student. I mean that, in a broad sense, [they provide students] with an eclectic approach to the world.”
  • “They do well in elementary schools, in creating community in those schools. They allow for quite a bit of input at the elementary level as well. They create great opportunity for students in the system from what I have heard. They have specialized programming that can appeal to the students.”
  • “They are doing well taking care of the children - keeping them safe and providing them with a proper education.”
  • “The teaching is good. There are good opportunities for children to branch out and become who they are. The teachers are good with the children and give them lots of support.”
  • “The have quality teachers. I think they have good athletic programs - particularly in the high school - and also the art programs. They are meeting the needs of the students."

Curriculum comments

  • “They are doing well in incorporating Aboriginal content into the curriculum. They are seeking innovative ways from the community to do so.”
  • “I think they have good programs for the kids. The curriculum is providing the children with the knowledge they need.”

Respondent comments - In what ways could we improve?

In response to the question, "Where could we improve?", respondents' comments followed three main themes


Provide work experience and skills


  • “I would like to see the students being given more job skills, and to know more about what work really is.”
  • “ They could educate them more on how to work in a business surrounding. They need more hands on [activities] to be productive. They are not directing the students for the work force.”

Increased involvement with the community and parents

  • “I would like more community programs. There should be more outreach between the community and the schools and more parental involvement between the community, students, and school.”
  • “Try and get the community more involved in the decisions they make about putting up new schools.”
  • “Start inviting business people to their schools and tell them what [work] is all about. Get them [busines people] more involved even within the school itself.”

More effective curriculum

  • “They are not teaching the students the basics. They need to be able to determine the logics and not depend on the computer all the time. In Saskatchewan, they need the basics because a lot of our clients need people to be able to think things through.
  • “They need more input from the parents and businesses. They also need to improve their curriculum so that the kids are getting the best knowledge they can before entering the work force."