Rocky View Schools (RVS) is continuing to invest in technology infrastructure, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence education as part of a broader effort to prepare students and staff for a rapidly evolving digital world.
The division's Technology for Learning department recently highlighted several accomplishments from the 2025-26 school year, including major infrastructure upgrades, expanded cybersecurity measures, and increased support for classrooms across the school system.
The work affects students and staff throughout Rocky View Schools, including schools serving Chestermere, Langdon, Cochrane, Airdrie, and surrounding communities.
According to Rocky View Schools, the Technology for Learning department is focused on providing secure, reliable, and modern digital learning environments that align with both the division's Strategic Plan and Alberta Education's Learning and Technology Policy Framework.
One of the division's key priorities is strengthening digital literacy among students while helping educators navigate emerging technologies, including generative artificial intelligence.
The Educational Technology team provides professional development, classroom support, and training designed to help teachers effectively incorporate technology into learning environments.
The goal is not only to improve student access to digital tools but also to help young people develop the skills needed to use those tools responsibly and effectively.
Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly important topic in education across Canada as school divisions work to determine how AI technologies can support learning while addressing concerns related to academic integrity, privacy, and critical thinking.
Cybersecurity has also become a major focus for Rocky View Schools.
The division reported significant investments in strengthening network security during the past year, including the implementation of a 24-hour Security Operations Centre (SOC).
The system provides continuous monitoring of digital networks, allowing technology staff to identify potential threats and respond more quickly to security incidents.
Additional upgrades included network redundancy improvements designed to reduce service interruptions and improve reliability across schools.
Technology replacement and modernization efforts also continued throughout the year.
Rocky View Schools deployed 2,624 devices through a centrally funded replacement program supporting classrooms and staff across the division.
Technology officials also reported improvements in service delivery, including fewer support requests and faster response times.
Infrastructure modernization remains an ongoing priority.
During the 2025-26 school year, the division purchased 103 new Wi-Fi access points, 24 network switches, and four firewalls to replace aging equipment and improve connectivity throughout the system.
Four schools are scheduled to receive additional critical hardware upgrades during the summer of 2026.
RVS Board Chair Fiona Gilbert noted that technology planning will continue to be part of future discussions as trustees consider the division's next strategic plan.
"There will be more work ahead as we begin to have conversations around advocacy priorities with the new strategic plan that will be considered by the board," Gilbert said.
As classrooms increasingly rely on digital tools for research, collaboration, communication, and instruction, school divisions across Alberta continue to face growing demands for reliable networks, cybersecurity protection, and modern learning technologies.
For students in communities such as Chestermere, those investments are becoming an increasingly important part of preparing for post-secondary education, future careers, and life in an increasingly connected world.
Technology by the Numbers
- 2,624 student and staff devices deployed
- 103 new Wi-Fi access points installed
- 24 network switches replaced
- 4 firewalls added
- 4 schools receiving major upgrades in Summer 2026
- 24/7 Security Operations Centre monitoring school networks