School Advisory Councils

School Advisory Councils (SACs) play an important role in supporting student success at the community-level.

School Advisory Council (SAC) Provincial Conference

SAC Innovation Fund

Background

Legislative Authority

Resources

School Advisory Council (SAC) Provincial Conference

Addressing our collective responsibility in promoting student achievement and wellbeing for every student, every day.

2025 SAC Conference

The 2025 SAC Conference was held on Friday, November 28th, 2025 at the Halifax Convention Centre.

Copies of the 2025 breakout session presentations are available below.

Community Projects 101

Data-Informed Decisions

Early Learning and Child Care

Engaging Effectively with the SAC: A Session for Principals

From Kitchen to Student: The People Behind Nova Scotia’s School Lunch Program

School Advisory Councils (SAC): Roles, Responsibilities and Membership

Student Safety and Wellness

School Advisory Councils (SACs) have an essential role in helping their schools create safe and welcoming environments. During our 2025 Provincial Conference, we asked SACs what was needed to do this well.

We heard that SAC members need clear roles, training, and easy-to-use resources. Receiving regular school behaviour data updates and trend analysis tools are things that were identified to help SACs identify what can be done to proactively and positively impact school environments. We heard that including student voice through conversation and surveys is crucial to success. The opportunity to network with other SACs, providing additional opportunity to share effective strategies, continues to be valued among members.

We're considering how we can address what we heard and are looking at creating some additional materials to guide SACS/Principals.

The Gifts of Partnership: Community Engagement Fundamentals

2024 SAC Conference

The first annual SAC Conference was held on Friday, September 27, 2024 at the Halifax Convention Centre.

Copies of the 2024 breakout session presentations are available below.

Curriculum in Nova Scotia

Funding for School-Based Initiatives

Inclusive Education in Nova Scotia: Well-Being Supports for Students

Literacy and Math Strategies

Nova Scotia’s RCEs/CSAP Accessibility Plans

Student Success Planning: Evidence Based Decision-Making

Three Braids Administrator Training: Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination

SAC Innovation Fund

Click here for the 2025 Innovation Fund recipients.

The SAC Innovation Fund provides grants up to $10,000 to SACs to support innovative ideas to support student achievement and well-being and address real problems experienced by students and schools.

This funding is intended to provide an opportunity to add value to the educational experience of students at their school.

Applications for 2025-26 are now closed!

All application status updates will be sent to SAC Chairs, School Principals, and SAC Regional Representatives.

We encourage you to consider applying in the future and to stay connected with your Regional SAC Coordinator for upcoming opportunities.

The 2025 Application Form can be found here: SAC Innovation Fund Application Form
The 2025 Application Guidelines can be found here: SAC Innovation Fund Application Guidelines 2025-26
To see general feedback from the Review Committee on the 2024-25 Innovation fund applications: School Advisory Council (SAC) Innovation Fund - Feedback for applicants
A list of 2024-25 funded projects can be found here: Innovation Fund - Projects Selected for Funding
An example of a successful Innovation Fund application from the previous year can be found here: SAC Innovation Fund Example
The Final Report Template can be found here: SAC Innovation Fund Final Report Template

If there are any questions, please contact the Regional SAC representative. If unsure of who the Regional SAC representative is, please contact your school principal.

Background

SACs are volunteer organizations that receive their authority from the Education Act (2018). The establishment of SACs and their roles and responsibilities are set out in the Education Act and the Ministerial Education Act Regulations.

Engagement on how to enhance local voice in the public education system resulted in additional actions that strengthen the role of SACs. Please visit Strengthening Local Voices in Education to learn more.

SACs are advisory bodies to individual school principals, regional centres for education (RCEs), and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) on a range of issues related to their local schools and the overall school system.
SAC membership can vary, but generally consists of the school principal, parents/guardians, teachers, other school staff, students, and community members. SAC membership should reflect the diversity of the school community.
In 2018, focus groups were conducted with SAC chairs and principals about enhancing the role of SACs. As a result, SACs now have a stronger voice in regional and provincial policy development, more professional development and networking opportunities, and a budget that supports the SACs mandate and operations.

Parents/guardians and community members who want to get involved in their school’s SAC can contact the school principal. Each RCE and the CSAP have a staff person who is responsible for supporting SACs.