Northern Lights Public Schools

K-12 Public Educationnlpsab.ca

Northern Lights Public Schools is a public K-12 division in northeastern Alberta serving 5,800+ students across 28 schools over 14,800 sq km, funded primarily by Alberta Education and offering programs from preschool through Grade 12 plus mental health, transportation, and Indigenous student services.

Company typePrivate
Founded-
HeadquartersBonnyville, Canada
Headcount501–1,000
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Northern Lights Public Schools does

Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) is a public school division established under Alberta's School Act, operating from its headquarters in Bonnyville, Canada. It delivers Kindergarten through Grade 12 education to over 5,800 students across 28 schools spanning 14,800 square kilometres in northeastern Alberta — one of the largest geographic service areas among Alberta school divisions. Approximately 38% of students self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, and the division operates schools on Métis settlements and Hutterite colonies in addition to urban centres (Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche) and rural communities. NLPS also provides educational services to the Provincial Campus Based Care Centre (Elk Lodge School) in Lac La Biche.

The division's product portfolio extends well beyond core K-12 instruction to include preschool programs (Care to Learn, Little Lights), full-day kindergarten, online and home education (Learning Together Anywhere), outreach schools in five communities, summer school, dual credit programming with Portage College, inclusive education, mental health and wellness services (including Student Advocacy Counsellors at every school and a CASA Classroom), student transportation, out-of-school care, and an international students program. Technology infrastructure is built on standard EdTech integrations: PowerSchool for student information, School Cash Online for fee management, School Messenger for automated communications, School Engage for registration, and the Box Clever Bus Status App for transportation tracking.

NLPS is funded primarily by Alberta Education through provincial per-pupil allocations, supplemented by federal Jordan's Principle funding for Indigenous students, transportation fees (CAD $140 base registration with distance-based surcharges up to $890), and program fees for preschool, childcare, and international students. The division is governed by an elected Board of Trustees, employs 501-1,000 staff as one of the largest employers in the Lakeland region, and is actively executing a multi-year capital plan including school replacements, new school construction on Métis settlements, and a performing arts centre.

Northern Lights Public Schools firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Northern Lights Public Schools
Legal name: Northern Lights Public Schools
Website: https://nlpsab.ca
Company type: Private
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 501–1,000 employees
Short description: Northern Lights Public Schools is a public K-12 division in northeastern Alberta serving 5,800+ students across 28 schools over 14,800 sq km, funded primarily by Alberta Education and offering programs from preschool through Grade 12 plus mental health, transportation, and Indigenous student services.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Northern Lights Public Schools industry classification

Industry

Product category: K-12 Public Education
NAICS: Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200)
akta.pro primary industry: Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

Keywords

K-12 public education
Preschool programs
Student transportation services
Dual credit programming
Online home education

Where Northern Lights Public Schools is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Bonnyville
HQ country: Canada
HQ region: North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

Northern Lights Public Schools business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

Provincial Government Funding: Primary funding from Alberta Education based on student enrollment and specific programs. Funding covers operational costs, staffing, and capital investments.
Student Transportation Fees: Fees charged for bus transportation services including eligible riders ($140 annual registration capped at $420/household), non-eligible riders (additional $500-$750), and alternate routes.
Program Fees: Fees for optional programs including preschool, out-of-school care, summer school, and international student tuition.
Jordan's Principle Funding: Federal funding for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students through Jordan's Principle for culturally appropriate supports and services.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Eligible Rider - K to 6 (Greater than 1.6 km)
Subscription	Annual	Eligible Rider - Grades 7 to 12 (Greater than 2.0 km)
Subscription	Annual	Non-Eligible Rider - K to 6 (Less than 1.6 km)
Subscription	Annual	Non-Eligible Rider - Grades 7 to 12 (Less than 2.0 km)
Subscription	Annual	Alternate Route with custody agreement
Subscription	Annual	Alternate Route - No custody agreement

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Northern Lights Public Schools product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Northern Lights Public Schools provides publicly funded K-12 education to over 5,800 students across 28 schools in northeastern Alberta, spanning 14,800 square kilometres. The division delivers core classroom instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 12, supplemented by preschool programs, online learning, outreach schools, dual credit courses, summer school, home education, out-of-school care, mental health services, and student transportation. Services are delivered directly to families through a network of urban and rural schools.

Product overview

Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) is a single, unified public school division providing comprehensive educational services from preschool through Grade 12. The division operates 28 schools across 14,800 square kilometres in northeastern Alberta, offering a portfolio of programs including core K-12 education, preschool (Care to Learn, Little Lights), outreach schools, online/hybrid learning (Learning Together Anywhere), summer school, dual credit programming, inclusive education, mental health and wellness services, student transportation, and out-of-school care. These programs are delivered through a network of schools in urban centres (Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche) and rural communities, supported by digital parent tools (PowerSchool, School Engage, School Messenger, School Cash Online) and transportation services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

K-12 Education Programs Core educational services for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 across 28 schools in northeastern Alberta, serving over 5,800 students with instruction from qualified teachers in all grade levels.
Care to Learn Preschool Preschool program for early childhood education offered by NLPS, serving preschool-age children before kindergarten entry.
Little Lights Early Childhood Program Early childhood education program for preschoolers offered by NLPS, providing foundational learning experiences before kindergarten entry.
Learning Together Anywhere Online School Online learning and home education program serving students from Kindergarten to Grade 9, enabling remote and hybrid learning options for students requiring flexible scheduling.
Northern Lights Outreach Schools Outreach programs operating in five communities (Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, Crossroads at Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement, and Journeys Learning Academy at Kikino) offering Grades 10-12 education with flexible delivery for students seeking alternative pathways.
Summer School Summer programming including Credit Kickstarter for Grade 9 students to earn computer-related course credits.
Dual Credit Programming High school programming allowing students to earn both high school and post-secondary credits through partnerships with Portage College, preparing students for post-secondary success.
Northeast Alberta Collegiate Institute (NACI) Collaborative initiative with Portage College and partner school divisions offering specialized programming for Grades 7-12 students in health care, education, and trades career pathways.
Inclusive Education Support services for students with diverse learning needs, including educational assistants and specialized resources.
Mental Health and Wellness Services Comprehensive mental health support including Student Advocacy Counsellors at every school, wellness coaching, community resources, and partnerships with local Primary Care Network for psychological services.
Student Transportation Services Bus transportation services for eligible students, with eligibility based on distance thresholds (1.6 km for K-6, 2.0 km for grades 7-12), supported by the Box Clever Bus Status App.
Out of School Care Before and after school child care services for working families requiring childcare coverage outside school hours.
International Students Program Educational services for international students attending NLPS schools, with tuition paid via School Cash Online.
Home Education Parent-directed education option for students learning from home, with NLPS oversight and support.

Quantifiable outcome

Serving 5,800+ students across 28 schools
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use Northern Lights Public Schools

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Northern Lights Public Schools technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Northern Lights Public Schools partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Northeast Alberta Collegiate Institute (NACI) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024NACI is a collaborative initiative between Northern Lights Public Schools, Conseil scolaire Centre-Est, Lakeland Catholic School Division, Portage College, and St. Paul Education. The initiative offers specialized programming designed to help high school students explore and pursue careers in health care, education, and the trades. Approved for funding in June 2024.
Clayton Bellamy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership resulting in the opening of the Strathcona Performing Arts Centre at Bonnyville Centralized High School. The former school gymnasium was transformed into a state-of-the-art theatre through this community partnership.
Primary Care NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing psychological services and wrap-around supports to students and families through collaboration with local healthcare providers.
Various Bus ContractorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransportation services contracted to multiple local bus operators including NLPS, Robert Grinevitch, Dan Skrypichayko, Mitchell Ward, IRST, Ron Fox, Southland/CLB, Avenir Bus Lines, Dan Leach, Walter Diachuk, Laurent Gauthier, Gordon Uganecz, P & H Bus Lines, Cathy Torresan, Leanne Coonan, Jorvic Contracting Ltd., D & H Bus Lines, Leon Schaub, Gloria Albertyne, and others.
Alberta EducationcoreOthersProvincial government ministry that funds school operations, sets education outcomes, and establishes accountability requirements for school divisions in Alberta.
Jordan's PrinciplecoreOthersFederal funding program for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children to ensure access to culturally appropriate supports and services. NLPS has implemented significant programming through this funding stream.
Alberta School Boards AssociationminorOthersProvincial organization supporting school boards through advocacy, professional development, and awards programs including the Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Northern Lights Public Schools competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Lakeland Catholic School Division: Neighbouring Alberta Catholic school division that co-partners with NLPS on the Northeast Alberta Collegiate Institute (NACI) initiative. Serves overlapping northeastern Alberta communities with K-12 education, making it the most directly comparable peer.
St. Paul Education Regional Division No. 1: Alberta public school division serving the St. Paul region east of Edmonton; an NACI partner alongside NLPS. Comparable rural/northern K-12 mandate, similar Indigenous student populations, similar funding model.
Aspen View Public Schools: Public school division in northeastern Alberta serving Athabasca and surrounding rural communities. Operates a comparable K-12 + outreach/online + Indigenous programming model in a similar geographic and demographic context to NLPS.
Buffalo Trail Public Schools: Public school division in east-central Alberta serving rural communities including Wainwright and area. Similar rural K-12 mandate with comparable student population scale (~5,000 students) and Indigenous programming needs.
Peace River School Division: Public school division in northwestern Alberta serving Peace River and surrounding rural/Indigenous communities. Comparable rural K-12 mandate with similar transportation and geographic dispersion challenges.
Conseil scolaire Centre-Est: Alberta francophone school authority that is an NACI partner with NLPS. Comparable public K-12 mandate with a distinct linguistic focus, serving northeastern Alberta communities including francophone populations like Plamondon.

Broad incumbents

Edmonton Public Schools: Large urban Alberta public school division. Operates a much broader K-12 portfolio including alternative, online (Alberta Distance Learning), and Indigenous programming. Not a direct competitor but operates in the same provincial funding and regulatory environment as NLPS.
Calgary Board of Education: Major Alberta urban public school division with comprehensive K-12 offerings including alternative pathways and Indigenous education strategies. Comparable in mandate but vastly larger in scale and operates in an urban rather than rural context.

Emerging players

Alberta Distance Learning School: Alberta-funded online K-12 school operated by Edmonton Public Schools. Comparable to NLPS's Learning Together Anywhere online offering — both serve distributed/rural learners, but ADL is much larger and operates across the full province.

Others

Portage College: Post-secondary institution in northeastern Alberta that partners with NLPS on dual credit programming and NACI. Not a competitor but a strategic partner whose trajectory is directly tied to NLPS's pathway programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Northern Lights Public Schools financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Northern Lights Public Schools leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Northern Lights Public Schools funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Northern Lights Public Schools M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northern Lights Public Schools

What does Northern Lights Public Schools do?

Is Northern Lights Public Schools a public or private company?

Northern Lights Public Schools is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was Northern Lights Public Schools founded?

Northern Lights Public Schools was founded in -1. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.

Where is Northern Lights Public Schools based?

Northern Lights Public Schools is headquartered in Bonnyville, Canada, in the North America region.

How does Northern Lights Public Schools make money?

Four revenue lines are on record. Provincial Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are student Transportation Fees, program Fees and jordan's Principle Funding.

Who are Northern Lights Public Schools's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Lakeland Catholic School Division, St. Paul Education Regional Division No. 1, Aspen View Public Schools, Buffalo Trail Public Schools, Peace River School Division and Conseil scolaire Centre-Est. Broad incumbents are Edmonton Public Schools and Calgary Board of Education. Alberta Distance Learning School is listed as an emerging player. Portage College is listed as an others.

Does Northern Lights Public Schools have an API?

No public API is recorded for Northern Lights Public Schools.

What industry is Northern Lights Public Schools in?

Northern Lights Public Schools's product category is K-12 Public Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAE, Public K–12 Combined Schools. Its NAICS code is 61111 and its SIC code is 8200.