Five years of proven impact, with new philanthropic commitment
offering a path forward.
Saskatoon, SK – Saskatchewan has the 3rd lowest literacy rates in Canada and the 2nd highest poverty rate. Every year, more than 28% of students have not achieved grade level literacy by Grade 3. Grade 3 literacy is a critical marker; kids are 4x less likely to graduate if they haven’t achieved it.
For the past five years, Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation (SPSF) has funded full-day, every day kindergarten in select schools across the Saskatoon Public School Division, helping ensure more children enter Grade 1 ready to learn, read, and succeed.
Now, new independent research is reinforcing just how important that investment has been. An evaluation conducted by Professor Beth Dhuey, from the University of Toronto examined multiple cohorts of Saskatoon Public Schools students participating in full-day, every day kindergarten between 2019 and 2024. The findings show that students in the program demonstrate stronger early literacy outcomes and improved readiness for Grade 1 compared to those in half-day or alternating-day models.
These results align with what educators have consistently seen in classrooms: when children are given more time and consistency in early learning, they thrive.
“This research confirms the impact we’ve seen firsthand,” said Zeba Ahmad, CEO, Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation. “Full-day, every day kindergarten is not just beneficial, it’s foundational to setting children up for success.”
Building on this momentum, local philanthropist, Wayne Brownlee, and the Brownlee Family Foundation have stepped forward with a significant new commitment to support the continuation and expansion of the program.
Brownlee has pledged funding for an additional five years of full-day, every day kindergarten, a $10 million dollar donation, contingent on a matching investment from the Government of Saskatchewan.
“Education for early learners is the most cost effective and compelling step to begin to make a difference. And morally as a society, don’t we owe it to these children to at the very least give them an opportunity to read and succeed,” said Brownlee.
This commitment represents a unique opportunity to build on proven success, expand access for more students, and create a sustainable model for early learning across the province.
This has the opportunity to really make a difference for the province of Saskatchewan.
Media Contact:
Zeba Ahmad, CEO
Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation
310 21st Street East, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1M7
T: 306 683 8440
M: 306 222 6700
E: ahmadz@spsd.sk.ca