Prairie Crossroads School, with its faith-based foundation and rapidly expanding student body, has garnered notice since the institution was established in 2019.
The number of students enrolled has jumped from 33 to 136 since then.
“We've grown over the last five years to the point where we now offer K-10,” says Travis Penner, board chair of the school. “Next year, we’ll be adding grade 11, and the following year, grade 12.”
A new location
While the thriving school is currently located in Morden on a church parking lot, word of a new location broke late last year, the region of which was strategically chosen.
“Our new location will be in the RM of Stanley on Highway 3, just between Morden and Winkler behind Sun Valley RV,” says Penner. “We have probably an equal number of students from Morden, Winkler, and the RM of Stanley, so we really are a regional school.”
Penner says the new school will initially be able to accommodate 240-250 students with the possibility of expansion. The school will include a full-size gym, a library, and “more resource spaces” for young learners.
The project is set to get underway this spring, and because of the school’s current location (leasing space in the GMC church with sprawling portable classrooms), its beginning can’t come soon enough.
The hope is that the new school will be able to open its doors in September of 2026.
A look at the numbers
When it comes to the school’s funding, it is classified as independently funded, which means that it receives 50% of what that public schools receive, and no financial support for capital projects.
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While the trade-off is that the school has the freedom to incorporate its “faith-based aspect,” which Penner says is accompanied by certified teachers, Manitoba curricula, and the same calendar year as public schools, the school is turning to the community to help it with its vision.
“We're anticipating a $7 million budget and looking at approximately $2 million for a mortgage and looking to raise $5 million through donations,” says Penner.
“We do have some donations raised already, and we have a number of individuals or entities that have committed but are just determining how much. We’re looking to really ramp up our fundraising efforts now. We've just kind of kicked that off in the last couple of weeks.”
The fish fry is back
One of Prairie Crossroads’ main fundraisers, which has been happening annually for five years now, is its fish fry. This year’s event takes place on March 12th for lunch and dinner.
“We're once again doing pre-ordered lunches for businesses, so they just contact us and place their order, and we arrange pickups at the Thresherman's Museum within 15-minute time slots [between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.],” he says. “Last year, we sold 900 lunches, which was fantastic, and then we have a drive-through supper. The pick up [is also] at the Thresherman's Museum from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.”
Penner says that cash, cheque, and e-transfer will be accepted, and he notes that there is no set amount for the meal.
“Whatever you feel led to give is what we'll accept,” he says.
The menu consists of walleye or pickerel, fries, coleslaw, dessert, and a drink.
The (surprising) impact of fish
Perhaps one may be tempted to underestimate what Prairie Crossroads can do with a fish fry, but last year, the event raised over $100,000 selling 1800 meals.
Penner says that the community is enthusiastic about supporting the school. In addition to the faith-based component, Penner says parents and guardians are also attracted to the smaller class size and the incorporation of outdoor education at Prairie Crossroads.
A story of a changed heart
In Penner’s view, the structure and mission of Prairie Crossroads School is one that impacts its students and the community.
He has a story that illustrates this.
“I can think of one student that came to the school a couple of years ago ... and wasn't necessarily a believer or a Christian at the time,” he says. “She was an older student [in] probably grade 8 or 9, and just this last January was baptized, and so that was really a culmination certainly of the Lord working in her life, but also ... the other girls in school that started inviting her to youth. [She] saw what they had and wanted some of that, too.”
Penner adds that he has also seen students who struggle in the classroom thrive in the outdoor component of their education, which resulted in more confidence that circled back to the classroom.
From the community support to the students at Prairie Crossroads, the school is flourishing in every way.
Penner is thankful for the community's interest in the process.
“It's such a blessing. We are certainly overwhelmed and feel immensely blessed by the support of the community to date, and we look forward to continued support,” he says.
To keep up with the fish fry or to learn more about enrolling children in Prairie Crossroads, Penner encourages the community to follow the school’s Instagram and Facebook for details.
With files from Robyn Wiebe