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Schools across Anglophone North School District are welcoming the world this September, with 158 international students from 18 countries joining our communities through the New Brunswick International Student Program.

This year, all eight ASD-N high schools are welcoming international students — from Rexton, Blackville, NSER, James M. Hill and MVHS, through to Bathurst, Dalhousie and Campbellton.

Students have travelled from countries including Germany, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Japan, France and Switzerland, bringing cultures and experiences from around the world into our classrooms and communities.

While studying in New Brunswick, students live with local host families and become part of everyday school and community life — taking part in classes, sports, clubs, activities and events.

The experience benefits our students, schools and local communities. Our international students get to discover life in northern New Brunswick, while ASD-N students have the opportunity to build friendships and learn about cultures from around the world.

We are delighted to welcome all of our international students to ASD-N and wish them an incredible 2026–27 school year!

Interested in becoming a host family? Hosting an international student is a wonderful opportunity to share your home, community and culture while learning about another part of the world. To find out more about hosting with the New Brunswick International Student Program, visit the AEI website – Why Host a Student? – AEI

With another school year now underway, we invite you to watch a message from Superintendent Dean Mutch to students, families, staff, and community members across Anglophone North School District.

Thank you for helping make a positive start to the 2026-2027 school year. We look forward to the months ahead.

Release: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Department of Health

August 28, 2026

OROMOCTO (GNB) – The government is taking steps to reduce distractions from technology in the classroom and keep the focus on learning and real social connections.

“We know too much screen time and social media use negatively affects children and youth,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “That’s why we’re taking action to reduce distractions, limit exposure to social media sites and support the well-being of students. By putting away phones and other personal mobile devices, students can focus on learning and building the foundational skills in literacy and numeracy.”

The department has revised Policy 311 (Responsible Use of Digital Technology) and introduced Policy 902 (Screen Time and Personal Mobile Device Use in Licensed Early Learning and Child Care Facilities). The changes are meant to address a growing body of research about the negative effects of cellphones, screen use and social media on children and youth and on in-class learning. They also incorporate recommendations of the province’s child and youth advocate.

“We need young people to be able to safely navigate an increasingly digital society,” said Justice Minister Robert McKee, who is also minister responsible for addictions and mental health services. “But our efforts are constantly undermined by social media platforms whose business models don’t even consider the well-being of children. As a parent, I see the impacts of this first-hand every day. We need to balance that out with safe, responsible use.”

Beginning this September, students from kindergarten to Grade 8 will not be permitted to use their phones or other personal mobile devices at any point during the school day. Those rules will take effect for students in grades 9-12 at the start of the second semester in February 2027. However, students in grades 9-12 will be permitted to use personal tablets and laptops for educational purposes as part of the Bring Your Own Device program.

“Together with the active support of parents, these measures will reduce children’s exposure to online harm and commercial practices that can negatively affect young people,” said Johnson.

The use of personal mobile devices will not be permitted for children attending licensed early learning and child-care centres.

“Supporting children’s mental health requires more than reducing distractions,” said Christa Baldwin, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick. “Young people need opportunities to disconnect, build relationships face to face, and fully engage in school and community life. We welcome measures that promote healthy digital habits while recognizing that technology should support well-being, learning and connection, not replace them.”

There are also new rules for screen time during class; it must be educational and tied to curriculum outcomes.

At licensed child-care facilities, screen time will be limited to 30 minutes or less, with none for children aged two and under; it must also have an educational purpose and be age-appropriate, be guided by an educator, and never happen during mealtimes. Research supports limiting screen time for young children, particularly infants and toddlers. Studies link excessive passive screen use with impacts on attention, memory, emotional regulation and language development. The move is intended to give young children the opportunity to learn, play and connect.

In addition, social media sites will be restricted on school networks and school devices beginning in September.

“Blocking social media on school networks and school devices will protect children from harmful content and targeted advertising while at school,” said Johnson. “Students will continue to use technology for learning while we make sure the digital environments they use at school support their well-being. Because we recognize the importance of digital skills and the role of technology in the classroom, New Brunswick’s education system is actively working to prepare students to thrive in a technology-driven world by strengthening digital literacy, critical thinking, online ethics and safety, and digital wellness skills.”

These actions align with two proposed federal bills – the Safe Social Media Act and An Act to enact the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act – which are currently before Parliament.

“The steps we are taking and are announcing today are the right things to do to ensure students get the most out of their time in school,” said Johnson. “We’re looking forward to our schools being alive with the sounds of kids interacting with one another in class and between classes.”

“Screen time limits in early learning protect brains at the age they’re most vulnerable. And blocking social media on school networks draws a simple line: products on trial for harming children don’t belong in our schools,” said Beauceron Security CEO David Shipley, who also studies how technology shapes human behaviour. “When it comes to technology in the classroom, the lesson we must learn is balance. I am encouraged that New Brunswick is making these moves to protect children and, in doing so, protecting the future for this province.”

Johnson said similar policies in Ontario and Quebec have been praised by students, teachers and parents in those provinces, but added that parents know their children best.

“The support of parents at home will make the biggest difference,” said Johnson. “Talking with kids about the new expectations before they take effect – and, for high school families, using the first semester to plan how to adjust – will make the transition smoother. A strong partnership between families and schools is what will make this successful.”

The full text of the policies and additional information is available on the government’s website.

Related links

Screen time and cellphones in licensed early learning and child care facilities and schools

Release: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

September 08, 2026

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Provincial assessment results for the 2025-26 school year in both the anglophone and francophone education sectors have been compiled and released.

“We conduct annual assessments of students across the province to evaluate how the education system is working,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “Sharing our results ensures transparency and accountability and helps us pinpoint areas where we are performing well and areas where we need to improve.”

Key findings of the assessment results include:

Anglophone sector

• Despite slight declines, elementary school assessment results remained stable overall.
• Middle school reading and math assessments remained stable, however there was a decline in Grade 8 science.
• Results of the Grade 9 English-language proficiency assessment were comparable to last year’s.

Francophone sector

• Elementary school reading and writing assessments remained relatively stable, although there was an improvement in Grade 4 writing and a decline in Grade 3 reading.
• There were declines in math assessments in grades 6 and 8, but results of the Grade 8 science assessment remained stable.
• Results of the reading and writing skills test and numeracy skills test administered in Grade 10 remained relatively stable compared to previous years.

In the anglophone sector, students are assessed in grades 4-10 and there is also a French oral proficiency assessment in Grade 12. The francophone sector conducts assessments in grades 2-4, 6-8 and 10.

The provincial assessments conducted in the 2025-26 school year were the last to be administered under the education plans introduced in 2016. New education plans for the anglophone and francophone education sectors were released by the government in June.

“We are focused on improving student outcomes and strengthening basics like literacy, numeracy and student well-being,” said Johnson. “The new education plans for both sectors are geared towards improving results in literacy and numeracy. Today’s assessments show some stability but reinforce our focus on strong basics in the classroom and reducing distractions so kids can focus on learning.”

In addition to launching new education plans, the government has made investments and policy changes to help students acquire foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. These include:

• An extra $19.3 million to hire more educational assistants in both sectors.
• $5.8 million for more academic support teachers, resource teachers and guidance counsellors.
• An increase of $7 million to deliver affordable school lunches to students across the province.
• A $2-million annual investment in the universal breakfast program.
• An update to Policy 311 (Responsible Use of Digital Technology) to promote distraction-free learning.
• ·Signed new agreements with the University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University and Crandall University to strengthen teacher education programs for anglophone bachelor of education students.

08-09-26

Related links

Provincial assessment results 2025-26 – anglophone sector

Anglophone sector education plan