Skills learned include problem-solving, language and reading, expression through the arts, and developing positive relationships.

[4] Leo Nickerson Elementary School held its first classes for around 225 students on September 1, 1964, following an opening ceremony on June 24 of that same year.

[6][7][8] Leo Nickerson was the first and for some time only school in St. Albert to have a PTA, or Parent Teacher Association.

The new PTA held meet the teacher nights, science fairs, various demonstrations and campaigns, and purchased supplies for use in the school.

[6] In late March, a group of parents met at a board meeting to express their concerns over the excessive use and types of corporal punishment used in the school.

Examples of punishment provided by the group included hair and ear pulling, as well as arm twisting.

"[10] Of the matter, Garber said that "there has to be unity of purpose, and I don't think we had it," adding that "some things have to be cleared up, not only in our school, but in the whole district.

The letters followed by saying the board had been concerned about the climate at the school for some time, and that it would accept Garber's resignation.

[13] Citing privacy concerns, the board decided that the report would not be made public, as it contained comments about some staff members.

Some of the suggestions in the report were that activities periods be discontinued in favour of Language Arts, that there be a minor reshuffling of teacher roles, and that a school philosophy be developed.

It was expected that the system would have forty empty teaching positions by the end of that school term.

[16][6] In 1974 Nickerson's principal Frank Carnahan instituted a house system similar to that used in the UK.

Students were split among four houses named for astrological signs: Aquarius (blue), Gemini (yellow), Scorpio (green), and Taurus (red).