A private Jesuit school is sparking debate before it opens.

Gonzaga Middle School plans to open in Point Douglas in September 2016.

It will follow a Jesuit model used in other cities that incorporates greater support, longer school hours and summer programs.

The school plans to remove barriers for low income, academically gifted student between grades six and eight by offering free education.

But a community leader worries it will repeat mistakes of the past.

“Again they’re coming in with the idea that they know better than us,” said Larry Morrissette.

Morrissette is the executive director of Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin (OPK), an organization that works with youth in gangs.

He said the indigenous community was not properly consulted, and thinks the school goes against the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“There’s no call in that report that asks for, you know, the Jesuits or any other religious group to come into the city, north end, central, to build schools,” said Morrissette.

Winnipeg School Division Board Chair Mark Wasyliw also raised concerns about the new middle school.

Wasyliw said the school will pick and choose certain students, leaving others behind.

“We’re interested in building up communities and that means building up all students in a community,” said Wasyliw.

Grade eight students who graduate from Gonzaga Middle School will be offered tuition-free education at St. Mary’s Academy or St. Paul’s High School.

Wasyliw said that would remove leaders from the North End.

He said the school means well, but funding could be better used to support programs that already exist within the community and school division.

“They’re planning to help 60 students within that neighbourhood and what we’re saying is that if you work with us, we could do a lot more with that money and we certainly could help a lot more than 60 students,” said Wasyliw.

In a statement, Gonzaga Middle School Executive Director and Principal Tom Lussier said:

“Gonzaga will operate inclusively, being open to a variety of cultural traditions and expressions of spirituality, including Christian and indigenous traditions. We want our students to learn and respect their own faith and spiritual traditions, to understand where they come from and who they hope to become.”

Lussier said the school supports recommendations from the TRC report, and plans to include indigenous studies in the curriculum.

Manitoba Treaty Commissioner Jamie Wilson also spoke out in support of the school.

Wilson said parents should have a choice in how their children are education.

In a statement Wilson credits the Jesuits for being the first church to make amends during the TRC, and wrote:

“What matters most to me is Aboriginal students being given opportunities to graduate and succeed and Gonzaga certainly has earned that reputation today.”

On its website, Gonzaga said it will not be eligible for provincial funding during its first three years of operation.

Gonzaga has several prominent financial backers, including Mark Chipman of True North Sports and Entertainment.