
Empowering students to reach their full potential in the beautiful Kootenay region of British Columbia.


"Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship." UNESCO


School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) has announced the retirement of Deanna Holtizki, Assistant Superintendent, effective November 2026. Deanna’s retirement concludes a distinguished career in public education spanning 36 years, 28 of those in SD8.

An overview of planned discussion items and major decisions of the Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake). The next meeting of the Board held in public is Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Board of Education supports Indigenous-led decision making in public education through the Indigenous Education Council

Salmo Secondary School has received a $600,000 donation from the McDonald family to honour the legacy of alumni Godfrey and Sheila McDonald and create lasting opportunities for current and future students.

The SD8 carpentry team worked closely with L.V. Rogers Secondary School leaders to develop an innovative design for accessibility ramps to the grad stage this year.

MSS Academy PM presents scenes from British playwright Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information at the Capitol Theatre on June 12 and 13 as part of their ninth annual year-end showcase. Tickets are available through the Capitol Theatre box office and at the door.

About 100 Hume in grades 1–5 participated in the Cursive is Cool® Contest in June, winning 15 of 42 awards given out to students from kindergarten through grade 7 by the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation (AHAF)

Our Grade 4 to 7 students recently participated in the annual Creston and Area Track-and-Field Day at the Creston and District Community Complex. The event brought together students from...

A curated collection of happenings across SD8 schools and worksites that embodies the districts' five strategic priorities: lifelong learners, connected learners, caring and inclusive learning culture, cultural and identity development, career development.
South Nelson students competed in a local reading challenge and had a throw down tie breaker with Redfish Elementary!

A curated collection of happenings across SD8 schools and worksites that embodies the districts' five strategic priorities: lifelong learners, connected learners, caring and inclusive learning culture, cultural and identity development, career development.
SD8 serves families in a spectacular, biodiverse region that includes a portion of the West and East Kootenays in southeastern B.C. Its six families of schools are situated across 15,000 square kilometres of rivers, valleys, lakes, and three mountain ranges, connected by two main municipalities—the Town of Creston and the City of Nelson—with the villages of Slocan, Kaslo, Salmo and many smaller, rural communities dotted in between. Our district is a great place to live, to work, and for children to learn and thrive.

We acknowledge, respect and honour the First Nations in whose traditional territories the Kootenay Lake School District operates and all Aboriginal people residing within the boundaries of School District #8.