Rocky View Schools excited about recently announced new schools

Today, the provincial government announced funding for schools as part of the 2024 provincial budget and Rocky View Schools received three full construction funded schools.

Airdrie will see full construction funding for two new K-8 schools within the RVS, as well as design funding for a new grade 9-12 school from the 2024 provincial budget. The funding of construction for the K-8 schools will be located in South Windsong and Bayview.

Full/construction funding approval includes all activities to take the project to completion, including construction and post-occupancy review, while design funding activities include the preparation of construction tender documents such as drawings and specifications. Planning funding activities include site analysis and scope development activities.

Other major funding includes full construction funding for a K-8 school in Cochrane, also part of RVS, as well as design funding for a new K-9 school in Chestermere.

“These have been long-awaited as top priorities for RVS and are crucial for providing relief in our most crowded schools in Airdrie, Cochrane and Chestermere,” said Fiona Gilbert, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Today's announcement marks a positive step forward as we plan for the rapidly increasing student population in these communities.”

According to Gilbert, she hopes we could see the newly funded schools open in 2028 as it usually takes three to four years to get a school designed and built.

"We have not had communication from the government around the specifics as to whether or not there's the ability to fast track some of these projects or anything like that."

Anticipating an average utilization of 101 percent by 2028 throughout RVS, numerous schools are forecasted to surpass this rate significantly.

Our staff work hard every day to create safe, positive and engaging learning environments for our 28,600+ students,” said Greg Luterbach, Superintendent of Schools. “This is not an easy task when you have limited space to work with. We appreciate all they do to support student success and we look forward to celebrating together as each new school opens.”

According to RVS, the approval of new schools has not matched the rapid growth of 750 to 1,000 new students annually. RVS is actively investigating solutions to alleviate pressure in some of the division's overutilized schools. The Balancing Airdrie Student Spaces engagement is asking for public input on proposed alterations to attendance boundaries and modifications to the grade levels served by schools.

“Changes in Airdrie are necessary to address the space challenges in our schools now and in the few years it will take to build and open the new schools,” said Gilbert. “Greater certainty of future space is timely as we consider community input, accommodation factors, and other information to inform this important decision.”

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