The Quick Answer
Joe Demko is a retired St. Albert Public Schools educator. He started as a student teacher with the division in 1969 and went on to serve as teacher, assistant principal, principal, associate superintendent, superintendent and trustee. He's the only person in the division's history to hold all of those roles. Joseph M. Demko School in Jensen Lakes, which opened in 2019, is named after him.
I'm John Carle, a REALTOR with Homes & Gardens Real Estate Limited, and I've been selling homes in St. Albert since 1999. I get asked about schools more than almost anything else, and Demko is a name that comes up a lot with families looking at Jensen Lakes.
On this page
Who is Joe Demko?
Joseph M. Demko first came to St. Albert Public Schools as a student teacher in 1969. Over the decades he worked his way through just about every job the division has: teacher, assistant principal, principal, associate superintendent, superintendent and, later, elected trustee. According to the school division, nobody else in its history has done all of them.
Why was a school named after him?
The St. Albert Public Schools board chose the name in September 2015. The board said schools should be named after people who represent the division's values and commitment to students, and that Mr. Demko had touched thousands of lives during his time with the district.
What is Joseph M. Demko School like?
- Location: 200 Jensen Lakes Boulevard, in St. Albert's Jensen Lakes neighbourhood.
- Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 9.
- Opened: 2019. It's built for up to 900 students.
- Programs: An English program serving Jensen Lakes and Erin Ridge North (north of Neil Ross Road), and the Logos Christian program, which takes students from across St. Albert.
- Building: Two gyms, foods and science labs, a career and technology area and a LEED Silver building.
When the school held its open house in June 2019, Joe Demko himself was there posing for selfies with future students. I love that.
What does the school mean for Jensen Lakes families?
A kindergarten to Grade 9 school inside the neighbourhood is a big deal for families. Check the attendance boundaries with the division before you buy, because they can change as the city grows.
Key takeaways
- Joe Demko has been part of St. Albert Public Schools since 1969.
- He served as teacher, principal, superintendent and trustee, a first for the division.
- Joseph M. Demko School opened in Jensen Lakes in 2019 and teaches K to 9.
- Confirm school boundaries directly with St. Albert Public Schools.
If you're looking at Jensen Lakes or Erin Ridge North, I can tell you what's selling near the school and what to expect.
Just Call John. 780-937-7534
Sources
- Joseph M. Demko School, Our Namesake: https://jmd.spschools.org/our-school/about/our-namesake
- Joseph M. Demko School, About: https://jmd.spschools.org/our-school/about
- St. Albert Gazette, Open house shows off new school (June 7, 2019): https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/open-house-shows-off-new-school-1494477