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Part of Government action

Taking action on classroom complexity

Alberta is taking action to address classroom complexity with expert input, data collection and investments in schools and supports.

Overview

Alberta classrooms are becoming more complex as student enrolment grows and learning needs become more diverse. To help students succeed, Alberta's government is investing in additional classroom supports, more teachers and enhanced training for educators.

Addressing classroom complexity

Alberta is facing 2 connected challenges in classrooms:

Arrows pointing up, representing an increase or rise.

Rapid student growth
Alberta’s education system has added nearly 90,000 students in 4 years. 

Image of a person being drawn with a pencil.

Increasing classroom complexity
As enrolment grows, classrooms support a wider range of student needs.

Key actions underway

Alberta’s government is responding to classroom pressures with practical investments that bring more support directly into schools and classrooms.

  • Deploying 699 classroom complexity teams

    Supported by an investment of $218 million, these teams provide hands-on support for teachers and students in complex classrooms. They help with needs such as English language learning, behavioural supports and enrichment for students who need additional challenge. 

    • 539 complexity teams are being deployed K to 6 classrooms. 
    • An additional 160 teams are going to grades 7 to 12 classrooms. 

    K to 6 complexity teams

    K to 6 complexity teams provide early, coordinated, school-based support for younger students in complex classrooms. These teams typically include 1 teacher and 2 educational assistants, with a focus on hands-on support in the classroom. 

    Grades 7 to 12 complexity teams

    Grades 7 to 12 complexity teams provide more specialized behavioural supports for older students, particularly those with more complex needs. These teams include one teacher and one educational assistant, with access to additional expertise such as behaviour specialists, social workers or other specialists. They can be deployed across schools within a school authority based on need.

  • Hiring 1,400 new K to 9 teachers

    An investment of $200 million will help school authorities reduce class sizes where pressures are highest and give students more access to teacher time and attention. 

  • Supporting educators and access to supports and services

    A $25 million investment for additional supports to address classroom complexity, including funding for training to help new teachers, complexity teams, and administrators, and funding to support improved access to specialized supports and services in rural and remote communities.  

Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee

The government created a Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee in Nov. 2025, chaired by Premier Danielle Smith and co-chaired by Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. The committee is guiding policy and allocating resources to address class sizes and classroom complexity. 

  • Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee members

    • Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta – Chair
    • Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare - Co-chair
    • Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services
    • Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction
    • Searle Turton, Minister of Child and Family Services
    • Lynnette Anderson, chief superintendent, Edmonton Catholic Schools
    • Nicole Buchanan, chair, Red Deer Public Schools
    • Marilyn Dennis, former president of Alberta School Boards Association
    • Mike McMann, superintendent, Fort Vermilion Schools and past president, College of Alberta School Superintendents
    • Joanne Pitman, chief superintendent, Calgary Board of Education
    • Dr. Elissa Corsi, Alberta Teachers’ Association
    • Kevin Van Lagen, principal, Altario school Prairie Land (joined the committee January 5, 2026)
    • Tamara Korolis, teacher, Calgary Board of Education (joined the committee January 5, 2026)

Data on Alberta classrooms

In fall 2025, the government worked with education partners on the largest classroom data collection in Alberta education history. Data was collected from 108,000 classrooms across 1,549 schools, providing actionable information about class sizes and classroom complexity across the province. This information is guiding decisions by the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee. 
Browse the datasets below for information on:

What the data shows

Alberta’s average class size is 25 students. Average class sizes are higher in cities, at 26 students, compared with 23 students in rural areas.

Average class sizes by grade grouping:

Grade groupingAverage class size
Kindergarten to Grade 322 students
Grades 4 to 625 students
Grades 7 to 926 students
Grades 10 to 1226 students

Next step: Alberta’s government will publish classroom data annually, with the next publication planned for early 2027. 

Progress on classroom complexity initiatives

Alberta’s work to address classroom complexity is already underway.

  • Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team

    Appointment of the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team.

    June 2025
  • Report, data and committee

    Release of the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team Report, Classroom data collection and creation of the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee.

    November 2025
  • Classroom data and funding

    Public release of classroom data. $143M funding to support up to 476 classroom K-6 complexity teams.

    February 2026
  • Additional funding to hire more teachers

    $200M funding to hire up to 1,400 additional teachers to reduce class sizes in grades K-9.

    May 2026
  • Additional funding for classroom complexity supports

    $100M invested to expand classroom complexity supports, including up to 223 new K-12 complexity teams, rural and remote communities access to specialized supports, and educator training.

    June 2026

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