BSO History

How it all began…

Blessed Sacrament Outreach School

In recognition that not all students will function well within the usual school environment, yet still benefit from achieving their grade 12 diploma, a different format of providing education was developed by Alberta Education. In 1998, ECACS Superintendent Paulette Hanna approached the board regarding the feasibility of forming a Catholic Outreach School in Wainwright.

In September 1999, the Blessed Sacrament Outreach School started operation in rooms rented in the former Lakeland College building, which now houses Ecole St. Christophe. In 2001, the school moved to its current location at 912 3rd Avenue. The number of students that join our Outreach family has varied throughout the years, beginning with 3 students, growing to as many as 122 students, and usually averaging 50-70. Staff usually include 1 or 2 certificated full time staff and a full, or part-time, secretary.

Principals at the Outreach have included Ted McGuinness, Ron Lindsay (who was featured in MacLean’s Magazine in 2005 as one of Canada’s top principals), Don Cameron, and Rick Roberts. Michel Despins is currently Principal at BSO.

Students who come to Outreach find a personalized education program, with flexible attendance expectations, and a caring atmosphere. The Outreach philosophy is to create a program that suits the needs of our students rather than a one size fits all approach.

The motto for Blessed Sacrament Outreach is “It’s not where we have been…It’s where we are going!” 


“We teach; we share; we learn; we care. We grow in Christ, believing that together we can make a difference.” Alberta Public Catholic Education. © 2024 East Central Catholic Schools. All rights reserved.