Pembina Hills is committed to providing students with high-quality learning opportunities while being responsible stewards of public funds. To support this, schools and the division may charge certain student fees on a cost-recovery basis, as permitted under section 57 of the Education Act and guided by Pembina Hills Administrative Procedure 30-06 Student Fees.

How student fees are set

• School-based fees are set by principals in consultation with staff, school councils, and parents.
• Division-based fees are set by the Board, in consultation with division and school administration, with input from school councils.

Why fees are necessary

Provincial funding covers many of the core costs of education for eligible students, but it does not cover the full cost of elective programming, projects and activities, field trips, graduation costs, classroom supplies and technology.

Provincial base funding for students has not increased at the same rate as expenses continue to rise. The division and schools have worked hard to shield parents from rising costs, but some fees are necessary to maintain quality programs and services, and to provide enrichment opportunities to students that go beyond the minimum curriculum requirements.

Technology Fee

New this year, Pembina Hills introduced a per-student Technology Fee ($20 for students in grades 1-6 and $35 for students in grades 7-12), approved by the Board of Trustees at the May 21, 2025, board meeting. This fee was approved following consultation and review with school principals and shared with school councils for feedback in spring 2025.

The technology fee will be used to improve classroom technology, replace aging devices (e.g., Chromebooks, classroom Viewsonic interactive boards, etc.) on a regular cycle, maintain and improve network infrastructure and connectivity, support essential software and licensing, and strengthen cybersecurity to protect students and staff.

Technology plays a vital role in today’s classrooms. By sharing in this investment, families are helping ensure their children have access to secure, dependable, and up-to-date technology. These resources are essential to creating classrooms that are equipped for engaging, modern, and effective learning experiences and skill development.

Other fees

Student fees also help fund activities such as field trips, which provide meaningful, hands-on experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. In addition, Career and Technology Studies (CTS) programming fees support hands-on learning in trades and technologies. These programs compliment the core curriculum and provide students with opportunities to refine practical skills. 

While the division has been able to subsidize some of the costs, additional fees are necessary to sustain these valuable learning experiences.

Fees reviewed annually

Student fees are reviewed each year to reflect current costs. This means that some fees may increase, new fees may be introduced, and others may be reduced or removed. 

This annual review ensures that fees remain fair, transparent, and tied directly to the cost of providing programs, services, and resources for students. Schools are not permitted to charge fees greater than those listed in the school’s student fee schedule.

All fees are carefully considered and set only when necessary to recover costs. They are reviewed in consultation with school councils and approved by the Pembina Hills Board of Trustees.

Payment options and support

We understand and recognize that some families may be facing financial challenges. Pembina Hills offers partial payments and payment plans on request. Contact your school to discuss options.