(Click here for a directory of department-specific phone numbers.)
Elk Island Public Schools
Central Administration Building
683 Wye Road
Sherwood Park, Alberta
T8B 1N2
Phone: 780-464-EIPS (3477)
Fax: 780-417-8181
Toll Free: 1-800-905-3477
Note: All EIPS' staff email addresses use the following format: firstname.lastname@eips.ca
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Why does Elk Island Public Schools charge fees for student transportation?
Alberta Education provides transportation funding for all eligible students to receive free transportation to their designated school. EIPS' Student Transportation provides a service to students throughout the division by offering to fill bus seats that are not required by designated students. Charging fees helps to recover a portion of the incremental cost of providing additional service to students. These are called Payride fees. Payride is a fee-based service that exceeds the transportation standards as outlined by Alberta Education.
What is a designated school?
The Board of Trustees designates schools for students by creating boundary areas. Students are directed to attend their designated school.
What is an eligible student?
Alberta Education defines eligible students for transportation funding as those residing greater than 2.39 km from their designated school.
What is an ineligible student?
An ineligible student is one who lives less than 2.4 km away from his/her designated school. If an ineligible student wishes to access EIPS' transportation, he/she is automatically subject to a Payride fee.
What is a School of Choice student?
A School of Choice student is defined as one who attends an EIPS' school other than his/her designated school. For example, students attending an alternative program such as Logos, Honours, or International Baccalaureate are considered School of Choice students. Students who attend a language or language immersion program are not considered School of Choice students because, as per Alberta Education guidelines, the school providing the program automatically becomes the child's designated school. Students wishing to access School of Choice transportation are automatically subject to a School of Choice fee in addition to a Payride fee if they are ineligible.
How does EIPS determine the rates for student transportation fees?
Alberta Education provides funding for student transportation based on a student's eligibility. EIPS sets Payride fees based on reasonableness of costs to parents, not on actual costs or funding rates incurred as this would make the cost of Payride services prohibitive. EIPS charges a fee to transport students who are attending a school of choice, ineligible students and noontime Kindergarten service in Sherwood Park. Parents will receive a letter in May indicating the amount of fees that are due for their child/children. All eligible students and those who have already paid their Student Transportation fees will receive a letter containing their bus pickup times and bus pass by mid-August.
How do I pay my fees and when are they due?
Fees are due by June 30 and can be paid on-line at www.eips.ca by VISA, Mastercard, direct debit (Interac).
Fees paid after June 30 will be subject to a late payment penalty and busing accommodation will be dependent on availability.
If I am a non-resident student but want to attend an EIPS school, do I have to pay the School of Choice fee?
Non-resident students attending an Elk Island Public School will be subject to a fee.
