Students at high schools in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge will have a new tool to help with their schoolwork starting this September. The Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District (SD42) announced on May 22, 2026, that it will introduce Microsoft Copilot for students in Grades 9 through 12.
The district said the education version of Copilot will be available at the discretion of teachers and is designed specifically for learning environments. It will not show ads or monetize student data, and it complies with BC’s privacy laws under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. SD42 says this is a measured approach to using artificial intelligence in classrooms.
Superintendent Teresa Downs, who has led SD42 since February 2024, signed the announcement. The district serves approximately 17,000 students across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, with 22 elementary schools and six secondary schools. The decision comes as school districts across BC explore how to safely bring AI tools into schools, following guidelines published by the BC Ministry of Education.
SD42 also noted it will keep talking about how to balance technology use with concerns about too much screen time, especially for younger children. Studies have linked more screen time in early childhood to lower reading and math scores later on. The district said it plans to focus on “purposeful use of technology” in elementary schools.
The Board of Education, chaired by Elaine Yamamoto, oversees the district. The seven trustees were elected in November 2022 for four-year terms, though one trustee, Gabriel Liosis, has been on leave since September 2025.
