Education
Red Deer Polytechnic Open House this Saturday!
Red Deer Polytechnic welcomes prospective students and community to visit campus during Open House
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) will showcase its range of programs, student services and facilities at the post-secondary institution’s Open House:
Saturday, October 28 | 9 am – 1 pm
Red Deer Polytechnic Main Campus
Attendees are encouraged to register to attend (drop-ins are also welcome)
“We look forward to welcoming prospective students and their supporters, who are looking to explore a variety of careers, to attend RDP’s Open House,” says Lindsay Engel, Vice President, Academic and Student Experience. “At Red Deer Polytechnic, we are proud to offer more than 80 programs across a range of credentials that prepare students for rewarding careers and that contribute to Alberta’s diverse workforce.”
Through collaboration with industry, RDP students receive enhanced work-integrated learning and applied research opportunities while making connections in their field. The Polytechnic also offers diverse cultural, social and health and well-being opportunities for students.
“Through Residence life, student groups, intramurals and much more, Red Deer Polytechnic has many opportunities for students to have a robust post-secondary experience and meet new people in fun and supportive environments,” says Ms. Engel. “Alumni often share their fond memories of attending RDP, making life-long friends and achieving their personal and professional goals.”
During Open House, RDP is pleased to offer no charge for credit program applications submitted by domestic prospective students for future admission to a program, meet faculty and staff at program exhibits and to take in-person and self guided campus tours. Attendees will also have the chance to win prizes.
More information about Red Deer Polytechnic’s Open House is available at: rdpolytech.ca/openhouse.
RDP is currently accepting applications for students wishing to attend Winter Term (starting in January 2024), Spring Term (starting in May 2024) and Fall Term (starting in September 2024).
Visit Us
Open House
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 | 9 AM – 1 PM | MAIN CAMPUS
If you’re graduating high school or looking at different career options, you won’t want to miss this event!
Red Deer Polytechnic has more than 80 programs that will challenge you, inspire you and prepare you for your future. Join us on October 28 to learn more about our programs and discover the wide array of student services that are available. This is your opportunity to learn all about what student life is like at Red Deer Polytechnic.
There will be free applications for credit programs during the event, program exhibits, campus tours and a chance to win prizes.
PLAN YOUR DAY!
- Free parking for all attendees
- Visit our main entrance to find assistance with wayfinding and answer any questions you may have
- Speak to the experts – Come equipped with questions to interact with faculty representing all programs offered at RDP (located in the Kevin Siros Gymnasium and Main Gymnasium)
- Attend a demonstration – Check out booths, classrooms and labs offering demonstrations of what you can learn and do to make the most of your talents at RDP
- Take a tour – Campus tours will start at the Student Connect Centre (room 1102) and will be offered from 9:15 AM – 12:15 PM
- Apply to attend – Visit the Library Computer Lab to receive assistance completing your application for admission to RDP through ApplyAlberta at no charge (some restrictions apply)
- Learn about services – Interact with staff to learn more about the services RDP offers to students including, health and wellness, food services, bookstore, funding, awards and even employment opportunities with RDP (located across campus and in the Forum)
- Enjoy lunch on us – Dig into a free bowl of soup at the FarSide Bar and Grill operated by the Students’ Association of RDP (while supplies last)
We look forward to welcoming you to campus and thank you for your interest attending RDP.
Book an In-Person Tour
In the heart of central Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic is the best place to start your future!
Select from our tour options below, or you may use our Welcome to Red Deer Polytechnic Campus Maps brochure to tour the institution yourself.
- Main Campus: Interested in a tour of Red Deer Polytechnic’s Main Campus building and facilities? Check out our calendar to view available tour dates and times. Book your personalized tour now!
- Residence: Email [email protected].
Visit Us Virtually
From near or far, we invite you to get to know Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP)!
Red Deer Polytechnic’s new Virtual Tour is a great way to see all that our beautiful campuses have to offer. Featuring 100 different areas and 360-degree views, you will be able to imagine yourself learning and living here. You can also visit Red Deer Polytechnic’s YouTube channel to be introduced to our campus, facilities, programs, students and much more.
Want to stay social? You can also say hi and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Red Hot Science Workshops
Red Hot Science workshops at Red Deer Polytechnic provide a variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experiences for youth groups and school groups in central Alberta.
Red Deer Polytechnic students can volunteer to help lead Red Hot Science activities, too.
From the Frontier Centre for Public Policy
One Manitoba school division is proving phonics works
If students don’t learn how to read in school, not much else that happens there is going to matter.
This might be a harsh way of putting it, but it’s the truth. Being unable to read makes it nearly impossible to function in society. Reading is foundational to everything, even mathematics.
That’s why Canadians across the country should be paying attention to what’s happening in Manitoba’s Evergreen School Division. Located in the Interlake region, including communities like Gimli, Arborg and Winnipeg Beach, Evergreen has completely overhauled its approach to reading instruction—and the early results are promising.
Instead of continuing with costly and ineffective methods like Reading Recovery and balanced literacy, Evergreen has adopted a structured literacy approach, putting phonics back at the centre of reading instruction.
Direct and explicit phonics instruction teaches students how to sound out the letters in words. Rather than guessing words from pictures or context, children are taught to decode the language itself. It’s simple, evidence-based, and long overdue.
In just one year, Evergreen schools saw measurable gains. A research firm evaluating the program found that five per cent more kindergarten to Grade 6 students were reading at grade level than the previous year. For a single year of change, that’s a significant improvement.
This should not be surprising. The science behind phonics instruction has been clear for decades. In the 1960s, Dr. Jeanne Chall, director of the Harvard Reading Laboratory, conducted extensive research into reading methods and concluded that systematic phonics instruction produces the strongest results.
Today, this evidence-based method is often referred to as the “science of reading” because the evidence overwhelmingly supports its effectiveness. While debates continue in many areas of education, this one is largely settled. Students need to be explicitly taught how to read using phonics—and the earlier, the better.
Yet Evergreen stands nearly alone. Manitoba’s Department of Education does not mandate phonics in its public schools. In fact, it largely avoids taking a stance on the issue at all. This silence is a disservice to students—and it’s a missed opportunity for genuine reform.
At the recent Manitoba School Boards Association convention, Evergreen trustees succeeded in passing an emergency motion calling on the association to lobby education faculties to ensure that new teachers are trained in systematic phonics instruction. It’s a critical first step—and one that should be replicated in every province.
It’s a travesty that the most effective reading method isn’t even taught in many teacher education programs. If new teachers aren’t trained in phonics, they’ll struggle to teach their students how to read—and the cycle of failure will continue.
Imagine what could happen if every province implemented structured literacy from the start of Grade 1. Students would become strong readers earlier, be better equipped for all other subjects, and experience greater success throughout school. Early literacy is a foundation for lifelong learning.
Evergreen School Division deserves credit for following the evidence and prioritizing real results over educational trends. But it shouldn’t be alone in this.
If provinces across Canada want to raise literacy rates and give every child a fair shot at academic success, they need to follow Evergreen’s lead—and they need to do it now.
All students deserve to learn how to read.
Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher and a senior fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
Alberta’s government is helping students discover their skills and interests today, to help them find careers for tomorrow.
If passed, Budget 2025 will provide more than $100 million over three years for school boards to grow career education programs, including funding for more collegiate and dual-credit programs across Alberta.
“We are working to set students up for success by strengthening job-focused education. This money is helping schools partner with businesses, universities and colleges to create programs that will help students hit the ground running after they graduate.”
Career education helps students gain credits towards graduation while earning hands-on experience in fields like the trades, computer programming, health care, agriculture, culinary arts and more. These career education programs support a strong economy by helping students learn the skills they need to get in-demand jobs.
Collegiate schools
Collegiate schools work with businesses, universities and colleges to offer classes that give students pathways to education and careers in the job of their choice. There are 12 collegiate schools in Alberta, offering many different types of programming for grades 7-12, including aviation, graphic design, trades and more.
If passed, Budget 2025 provides more than $21 million to school boards to help fund special classrooms like carpentry workshops, film and media rooms, science laboratories, heavy equipment simulators and aircraft hangars. Another $6 million is being invested to support the start-up costs for new collegiate schools.
Dual-credit programs
Budget 2025, if passed, also provides $4.6 million in 2025/26 to start new or improve existing dual-credit programs. In partnership with universities and colleges, dual-credit programs give students a head start on rewarding careers by allowing them to earn high-school and post-secondary credits at the same time. Of the $4.6 million, $550,000 is being provided by Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services for new and improved dual-credit health care aide programs.
“Health care aides play a critical role in ensuring Albertans receive the continuing care services they need to maintain their health, independence and quality of life. Our investments into career pathways for health care aides will provide opportunities for young Albertans to develop the skills they need to build a rewarding career in Alberta’s continuing care workforce.”
Another $1.4 million is being invested to support students participating in off-campus career education programs through CAREERS. This non-profit connects students to jobs in high-demand fields, such as the trades, technology, health, forestry and agriculture.
“Investments in collegiate and dual-credit programming are significant for Calgary Catholic as they further strengthen our collegiate and dual-credit programming. This programming will open opportunities for our students and help them to realize their full potential.”
“Before Fusion Collegiate, I felt lost and wasn’t really sure what to do after high school. Thanks to its career-focused learning and the opportunities through Fusion and The Educational Partnership Foundation, I’m now working as a first-year apprentice plumber with Mr. Rooter. The hands-on trades training, high school credits, safety certifications, and real-world skills I picked up completely changed my life. I’m excited about where my career is headed and really thankful for the support that helped me get here.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta communities with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- If passed, Budget 2025 invests $102.4 million over three years to provide sustainable, predictable career education funding, and to increase access to career education for Alberta students.
- This includes $8.4 million over 2026-27 and 2027-28 to raise awareness among students and families of career education programs and pathways available to Alberta students.
- Career education in Alberta includes career and technology courses, Career and Life Management (CALM), dual-credit courses, collegiate schools, apprenticeships and off-campus education programming.
- Since 2013, more than 95,000 high school students participated in at least one dual–credit course.
- In spring 2025, Alberta Education will engage with education partners on best practices to bring more career education opportunities to students.
- Since 2022, education partners and almost 5,000 Albertans have provided their feedback on career education and workforce needs.
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