Redford government opens new schools in Edmonton

Hundreds of students and families in Edmonton will have a new school in their neighbourhood this September due to investments made by the Government of Alberta.

As part of the Redford government’s commitment to education, the new schools include Edmonton Catholic Schools’ Mother Margaret Mary High School and Edmonton Public Schools’ Michael Strembitsky, Bessie Nichols and Major General Griesbach schools. They are among 15 new facilities opening in 2012-13 in seven Alberta communities. These schools will serve as centres of learning and meeting places for the community.

“Albertans have told us that education is a priority; schools such as these four new facilities will allow our teachers to provide excellent learning opportunities to our children,” said Premier Alison Redford. “The students who come to these schools will receive the highest level of public education and be set on a path to fulfil their potential.”

Echoing the Premier, Education Minister Jeff Johnson said “These buildings are so much more than just bricks and mortar for the thousands of students who will attend; they are places where they will learn, discover and grow. An educated society is a vibrant, prosperous one and investments in schools in growing communities like Edmonton are really investments in our collective future.”

“The opening of Mother Margaret Mary High School will help alleviate the need for a Catholic high school in Terwillegar as southwest Edmonton continues to experience significant growth,” said Debbie Engel, chair of the Edmonton Catholic board. “Students will now have a school in their community which is part of our district’s priority to build schools where students live.”

“Our board of trustees is looking forward to opening these three new facilities,” said Dave Colburn, chair of the Edmonton Public board. “We are committed to having outstanding schools in all parts of the city to serve the needs of our students.”

The Alberta government is committed to building Alberta’s economic future and investing in our families and communities; that includes our education system and its supporting infrastructure. Alberta municipalities will be supported through quality learning environments for students that reduce travel times and have our kids stay in our communities.

“On budget and weeks ahead of schedule, these world-class facilities will serve Alberta’s students and communities for generations to come,” said Infrastructure Minister Wayne Drysdale. “I commend all the partners involved in these new school projects for providing our students and these communities with excellent facilities to inspire learning.”

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Backgrounder: 15 new schools to open across Alberta

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Kim Capstick Press Secretary Alberta Education 780-415-1650 780-405-2983 (cell) [email protected]

Jeannie Smith Press Secretary Alberta Infrastructure 780-422-6267 780-554-5030 (cell) [email protected]

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Backgrounder

15 new schools to open across Alberta in 2012-13

Calgary St. Isabella School (K-9, 900 student capacity) 855 Copperfield Blvd. SE Calgary Catholic School District	Edmonton Bessie Nichols School (K-9, 850 student capacity) 189 Hemingway Road NW Edmonton Public Schools
Twelve Mile Coulee School (Grades 5-9, 900 student capacity) 150 Tuscany Hills Road NW Calgary Board of Education	Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School (Grades 10-12, 750 student capacity 2010 Leger Road NW Edmonton Catholic Schools
Captain Nichola Goddard School (Grades 5-9, 900 student capacity) 405 Panatella Blvd. NW Calgary Board of Education	Michael Strembitsky School (K-9, 850 student capacity) 4110 Savaryn Drive SW Edmonton Public Schools
Nose Creek School (Grades 5-9, 900 student capacity) 135 Covepark Square NE Calgary Board of Education	Major General Griesbach School (K-6, 600 student capacity) 304 Griesbach School Road NW Edmonton Public Schools
Ted Harrison School (Grades 5-9, 900 student capacity) 215 Taravista Way NE Calgary Board of Education	Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School (Grades 10-12, 1,400 student capacity) 4001 Emerald Drive Elk Island Catholic Schools
Robert Thirsk High School* (Grades 10-12, 1500 student capacity) 877 Nose Hill Drive NW Calgary Board of Education *Opening 2013	Spruce Grove St. Peter the Apostle Catholic High School (Grades 9-12, 1,100 student capacity) 10 Harvest Ridge Drive Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division
Langdon Sarah Thompson School (K-4, 450 student capacity) 42-4 Street NE Rocky View Schools	Okotoks Westmount School (K-9, 700 student capacity) 240 Westland Street Foothills School Division
Millet Griffiths-Scott Middle School (Grades 5-9, 300 student capacity) 4612-51 Street Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Kim Capstick Press Secretary Alberta Education 780-415-1650 780-405-2983 (cell) [email protected]

Jeannie Smith Press Secretary Alberta Infrastructure 780-422-6267 780-554-5030 (cell) [email protected]

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.