Bella Bella Community School
Bella Bella, BC
Bella Bella Community School (BBCS) offers Nursery to Grade 12 to both Heiltsuk and non-Heiltsuk students and is accredited as a BC Ministry of Education Independent School and is certified with the First Nations School Association.
Details
Population of Bella Bella
1,259
Languages Spoken
Hailhzaqvla / Heiltsuk
English
Grades
Kindergarten - Grade 12
About Bella Bella Community School
The Bella Bella Community School opened its doors to students in Sept. 1977. This resulted from a lot of work by a few people who decided they no longer wanted to send children away from the community to attend high school. Students in the previous generation had attended residential school, and their children, in turn, were sent off to boarding homes to go beyond grade 7. In 1973, community leaders signed an agreement with the federal government to take control of children's education. The next four years were dedicated to building and staffing the school. Children no longer need to leave home to attend high school.
The Bella Bella Community School currently enrolls approximately 250 students from K4 to grade 12. The curriculum follows the BC School Curriculum, offering small classes and a wide range of courses, sometimes supplemented by online learning. The 2023 graduating class included 19 graduates! This represents the vision that originated with a small group of dedicated Heiltsuk who created this opportunity for the children of the community.
Basic Hailhzaqvla / Heiltsuk Words
Hello everyone / Hello friends: Yi’yáu
How are you? / Are you alright?: Las liixstaukva?
Thank You: Giáxsix̌a
Until next time: Wṇíxsix̌a
