Kootenay
Regional Overview
The Kootenay region (or "The Kootenays" to locals), nestled in the southeastern portion of the province, is home to seven school district employers. The area is filled with mountains and lakes, which offer spectacular scenery and endless outdoor adventure. Mining, agriculture and forestry are prime industries in the area.
Kootenay school districts serve students in Castlegar, Trail, Grand Forks, Rossland, Nakusp and more. The largest school district is Southeast Kootenay School District, followed by Kootenay Lake, Kootenay Columbia, Rocky Mountain, Boundary and Arrow Lakes school districts. The region enrolled almost 18,500 students in the 2020/21 school year.
Featured Employers
Kootenay-Columbia School District 20
10 Schools | 3,900 Students | 550 Employees
Southeast Kootenay School District 5
19 Schools | 5,767 Students | 731 Employees
Kootenay Lake School District 8
32 Schools | 5,000 Students | 850 Employees
K-12 Employers
PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYERS
- Arrow Lakes 10
- Boundary 51
- Kootenay-Columbia 20
- Kootenay Lake 8
- Rocky Mountain 6
- Southeast Kootenay 5
Francophone School Board
Culture
Originally settled by miners, rail workers and pioneers, the Kootenays are steeped in history. There are more than 50 ghost towns in the mountains and valleys, and it is not uncommon for hikers to come across sunken paddlewheelers and abandoned miners’ shacks.
Trek into the backcountry here, and you never know what you might discover!
Lifestyle
With its snow-capped peaks in winter and idyllic lakeside summers, the Kootenay region attracts those who love being outdoors. People in the Kootenays like to live a little quieter, and residents are known for their laid-back attitude.
Much of this region is still undiscovered country, and residents spend their weekends canoeing, kayaking, hiking and skiing. For those looking to explore outside of the province, Alberta is just a short drive away.