EDMONTON (RAJEEV SHARMA): Alberta’s government is allocating $25.8 million to six independent school projects expected to add more than 3,500 student spaces across the province, as authorities look to accommodate growing enrolment and expand educational choices for families.
The funding will support new school construction, building expansions and modular classrooms in Calgary, Edmonton and central Alberta. According to the provincial government, the projects are expected to generate more than $108 million in additional investment from independent school authorities and community partners, bringing total capital construction spending to over $134 million.
Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the investment would help create additional capacity while allowing parents to select the educational environment best suited to their children.
Six Projects to Expand School Capacity
The approved projects include a mix of new facilities and expansions at existing independent schools. The Edmonton Islamic School project will receive the largest allocation, with $10 million earmarked for a new facility expected to provide 1,700 student spaces.
The six projects are:
- Bearspaw Christian School, Calgary — Phase 3: $1.8 million for 300 student spaces.
- Bearspaw Christian School, Calgary — Phase 4: $6.1 million for 1,072 student spaces.
- Third Academy, Calgary: $666,667 for a modular expansion providing 80 spaces for students with specialized educational needs.
- Khalsa School Calgary: $3.3 million for 300 additional spaces.
- Edmonton Islamic School: $10 million for a new school with 1,700 student spaces.
- Lighthouse Christian Academy, Sylvan Lake/Lacombe County: $4 million for a new facility creating 126 net additional spaces.
The projects are intended to increase the availability of independent education options in communities experiencing demand for more school places.
Funding to Support Students With Special Needs
The investment also includes funding for students requiring specialized educational support. Third Academy’s modular expansion will add 80 spaces for children with specialized learning needs.
Sunil Mattu, head of schools at Third Academy, welcomed the funding, describing the additional capacity as a significant development for families seeking suitable educational support for their children.
Independent schools in Alberta serve a range of communities, including families seeking faith-based education and students who require specific learning environments. The province says the funding forms part of its broader commitment to maintaining parental choice across the education system.
More Capital Funding Planned for 2027 and 2028
The government said further applications will be accepted through the Independent School Capital program, with additional funding rounds planned for 2027 and 2028.
The province has earmarked $25 million for the 2027-28 fiscal year and another $30 million for 2028-29. The funding is intended to help eligible independent schools increase capacity and provide families with more educational options.
The program supports qualifying accredited and funded independent schools, along with designated private schools serving students with special education needs. Eligible work can include new construction, expansions, modular classrooms, building purchases and leasehold improvements.
Ranbir Singh Parmar, chairman of Dashmesh Culture Centre and Khalsa School Calgary, called the investment an important milestone for the school and its wider community.
Independent School Funding Part of Wider Construction Drive
The latest announcement follows an earlier $10-million provincial grant approved in March 2026 for Renfrew Educational Services. That funding supported completion of the Three Sisters Centre in Bearspaw, in Rocky View County near Calgary.
The independent school initiative also complements Alberta’s $10.8-billion Schools Now program, which is designed to build and renovate more than 100 public schools across the province.
Since 2019, the government has funded 205 public school projects. Nineteen projects have been completed since Schools Now began in 2024, while another 19 are expected to be completed by the 2027 school year.
Through these investments, Alberta aims to increase classroom capacity across different types of schools as demand for student spaces continues to grow.
