Historic school build makes significant progress

Since May 2015, the provincial government has funded 244 school projects. So far, 169 are complete with 12 more expected to be finished by June 2019. Combined, all of the projects will have created or modernized about 126,000 student spaces.

“Today’s students will lead Alberta to its future prosperity. We owe it to them and their families to ensure they are learning in good schools. That’s why our government is keeping our promises when it comes to investing in school construction. With these historic investments, we will continue to ensure these schools are staffed with teachers and support staff and have stable, predictable funding.”  

“We are thankful to government for funding many of our infrastructure requests. Having safe, comfortable, warm learning environments for our students makes a tremendous difference. Our needs continue to be great across the city, especially at the high school level, and we look forward to continuing to work with government.”

Quick facts

• During the 2018-19 school year, 37 school projects opened or will open.
• The 15 new schools, seven replacement schools, 12 modernizations and three additions will provide up to 32,000 new and modernized learning spaces for students.
• Twenty-five of the 37 school projects are complete:

Municipality	Type	Project
Ardrossan	Replacement	Ardrossan Elementary
Ashmont	Replacement	Ashmont Elementary and Secondary Replacement School
Athabasca	Replacement	Edwin Parr Composite Community School
Calgary	New	All Saints High School
Calgary	New	Sherwood New K-9 School
Calgary	New	Mahogany New Elementary
Calgary	New	SE/Seton New High School
Calgary	Modernization	Lord Beaverbrook High School
Calgary	Modernization	James Fowler High School
Edmonton	Modernization	Caernarvon School - Modernization
Fort McMurray	Modernization	Fort McMurray Composite High School (2)
Fort Saskatchewan	New	Saint André Bessette Catholic School
Grande Prairie	New	St. John Paul II Junior-Senior Catholic High School
County of Grande Prairie	New	Whispering Ridge Community School
Lethbridge	New	West Lethbridge Middle School
Magrath	Modernization	Magrath Junior/Senior High School
Medicine Hat	New	South New Elementary School
Okotoks	Modernization	Foothills Composite High School
Peace River	Addition	Glenmary School and CTS Lab Addition
Sherwood Park	New	New K to 6 School - Sherwood Park (Davidson Creek)
Spruce Grove	New	Copperhaven School
St. Albert	Modernization	St. Albert Catholic High School
St. Albert	New	Sister Alphonse Academy
Strathmore	New	Strathmore K-9 School
Taber	Modernization	St. Patrick School

Background on Edmonton Public Schools projects

• Originally built in the 1950s, Ross Sheppard High School is one of Edmonton’s largest schools. This modernization project includes an expansion that will add a new gymnasium, fitness facility and drama theatre. The modernization will also raise the total square metres of the school from 20,520 to 23,937.
• Since May 2015, the Government of Alberta has funded 244 school projects, including the following nine Edmonton Public Schools projects, budgeted for about $300 million.
• EPS new schools:
  • Soraya Hafez School (McConachie) Grades K-6
    • 650 student spaces
    • Opening date to be determined
  • Thelma Chalifoux School (Larkspur) Grades 7-9
    • 900 student spaces
    • Opening date to be determined
  • Dr. Anne Anderson High School (Heritage Valley) Grades 10-12
    • 1,800 student spaces
    • Opening date to be determined
• EPS replacement schools:
  • Ivor Dent (Rundle Heights) Grades K-9
    • 650 student spaces
    • Opened September 2017
  • Mill Creek School (Mill Creek) Grades K-6
    • 350 student spaces
    • Opening January 2019
• EPS school modernizations:
  • Alberta School for the Deaf
    • 170 student spaces
    • September 2019 completion
  • Ross Sheppard High School
    • 2,460 student spaces
    • September 2019 completion
  • Caernarvon School
    • 420 student spaces
    • Completed November 2018
  • Highlands School (Highlands) Grades K-9
    • 800 student spaces
    • Completion date to be determined
• In Budget 2018, two more projects were approved for Edmonton Public Schools. Both projects are currently in the planning stage: a replacement for Westlawn School and a new K-9 school for Heritage Valley Chappelle East.