Calgary school boards will be able to further several new school and modernization projects as a result of funding in Alberta’s 2024 budget.

Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides made the $2.1 billion schools announcement at St. Mary’s High School in Calgary on March 1, hours after Finance Minister Nate Horner delivered the 2024 budget.

In the funding announcement, Calgary will get full construction funding for a new K-4 public school in Evanston, and a new Calgary Catholic School Division (CCSD) high school in Rangeview, plus a CCSD k-9 school in Chestermere.

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) will also get design funding for three schools: a new high school in Cornerstone, a new K-4 school in Redstone, a modernization of the Annie Gale Junior High School. There is also planning funding included for a new 5-9 school in Saddle Ridge.

The CCSD will get design funding for a new K-6 school in Redstone and a new high school in west Calgary. 

The Conseil scolaire FrancoSud will get design funding for a new K-6 school in north Calgary and planning funding for a new 9-12 school in north Calgary, plus a new K-6 school.

“We are working hard to ensure that we build an education system that empowers and inspires young learners,” said Minister Nicolaides.

“In this process, we are helping generations of young Albertans follow their dreams and realize their full potential.”

Premier Smith said they’re investing eight per cent of capital funds for schools in the province. It also includes funding for modular classrooms and to help collegiates and charter schools. In total, she said 43 school projects are moving forward with the funding, creating 35,000 additional student spaces.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work that we’re doing to build a modernized schools across the province,” she said.

Good news, say Calgary school board trustee chairs

CBE board chair Laura Hack said that they were pleased to get construction funding for their top priority school in Evanston.

“These investments and infrastructure are vital to support student learning opportunities across our system,” she said.

“This will provide a school for some of our youngest learners within the community and where they reside.”

Hack was also pleased to see financial commitments for the design phase of a new high school in Cornerstone, which would also keep students nearer to home. Still, she said more help is needed to deal with enrolment growth.

“As grateful as we are for today’s announcements, we still have a critical need for more learning spaces,” she said.

“Over the past two years, the Calgary Board of Education has welcomed more than 13,000 additional students to our system. That’s enough to fill more than 22 elementary schools and we continue to enroll students every day.”

Shannon Cook, Catholic board chair, said they too were thankful for the provincial cash, but said more is needed to deal with student population growth.

“We look forward to working with the government to get shovels in the ground on these projects as quickly as possible. These projects require urgent attention given the critical need for school infrastructure and Calgary Catholic’s high utilization rates in these communities,” she said.

“Like many school districts in our province, the Calgary Catholic School District is experiencing rapid growth. Our enrollment numbers grow almost daily. We are facing budgetary challenges, increased student complexity, and need in many of our schools, particularly our high schools, are operating well above capacity.”

The province also announced construction funding for two new schools in Airdrie, one in Chestermere, and one in Cochrane. There’s design funding for a new 9-12 school in Airdrie, a new K-9 school in Chestermere, and a new high school in Okotoks.