Alberta’s education system gives families the freedom to choose the learning environment that best meets their child’s needs, whether through public, separate, francophone, charter or home education. Independent schools play an important role in this system, including supporting students with significant learning and physical needs and providing faith-based education for families who choose it.
To support Alberta’s nation-leading school choice program, Alberta’s government is providing $25.8 million for six independent school projects across Alberta. The projects include new schools, school expansions and modular classrooms in Calgary, Edmonton and central Alberta. Through the Independent School Capital program, provincial funding will help unlock more than $108 million in additional investments from independent school authorities and community partners, supporting more than $134 million in total capital construction.
“We are taking action to create more student spaces while ensuring parents continue to have choice in their children’s education. By partnering with independent school authorities to build and expand schools across the province, we are helping meet growing enrolment and giving more Alberta families access to the education that works best for their children.”
The six approved projects are:
- Bearspaw Christian School (Calgary), Phase 3 expansion: $1.8 million to create 300 student spaces.
- Bearspaw Christian School (Calgary), Phase 4 expansion: $6.1 million to create 1,072 student spaces.
- Third Academy (Calgary) modular expansion: $666,667 to create 80 student spaces for students with specialized education needs.
- Khalsa School Calgary expansion: $3.3 million to create 300 student spaces.
- Edmonton Islamic School new build: $10 million to create 1,700 student spaces.
- Lighthouse Christian Academy (Sylvan Lake/Lacombe County) new build: $4 million to create 126 net new student spaces.
“Alberta Education cares about students with special education needs. Eighty new seats in the Calgary area! This is a godsend. On behalf of families searching for hope, thank you.”
Independent schools will have additional opportunities to apply for funding. Future intakes are planned for 2027 and 2028, with $25 million available in 2027-28 and $30 million available in 2028-29 to help create more student spaces and expand education options for Alberta families.
The Independent School Capital program helps eligible accredited funded independent schools and designated special education private schools build additional student capacity. Eligible projects include new construction, school expansions, modular classrooms, building purchases and leasehold improvements.
“This historic investment is an important milestone for Khalsa School Calgary and our entire community. We are deeply grateful to Premier Smith, Minister Nicolaides and Alberta’s government for recognizing the growing needs of independent schools and investing in new student spaces that will benefit Alberta families for generations to come.”
As the first grant approved under the Independent School Capital program in March 2026, Alberta’s government invested $10 million to support Renfrew Educational Services in completing the Three Sisters Centre in the Rocky View County community of Bearspaw, just outside of Calgary.
The Independent School Capital program builds on the generational $10.8-billion Schools Now program which will build and renovate more than 100 public schools across the province. Since 2019, Alberta’s government has funded 205 public school projects. Nineteen projects have been completed since the start of Schools Now in 2024, with another 19 public school projects expected to be completed by the 2027 school year.
Quick facts
- The Independent School Capital program is a three-year, $90-million initiative intended to create up to 6,000 student spaces across Alberta.
- Grants are available to eligible accredited funded independent school authorities through a competitive application process.
- Funding is capped at $10 million for each school authority.
- For the 2026 intake, applications were assessed based on student-space creation, cost effectiveness, enrolment demand and project readiness.
- Funding is provided on a cost-matching basis:
- 2:1 (applicant to government) for established independent schools operating for more than three years.
- 4:1 (applicant to government) for newer independent schools operating for three years or less.
- Grant funding is released in stages, with recipients required to demonstrate project progress and matching contributions before payments are made.
- Designated special education private schools support students with severe, complex needs or specific disabilities.
- Independent schools educate more than seven per cent of Alberta’s students while receiving less than five per cent of education funding.
Related news
- Supporting choice in education (March 12, 2026)