A lot of interesting comments/posts. However, I don't believe this is meant to be a debate about things being "worth" it or not but rather students/families having choice within their communities.

Cost is mainly covered by the students in Calgary (Edmonton Public pays all IB costs and exam fees for students) and it is untrue that a child can go to any school as long as it is not full.

Easy thing will always be to cut programs in the NE or have pilot programs in the NE due to a lack of parental pressure.