Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government has announced the construction of seven new schools across Edmonton, Calgary and Chestermere in a move aimed at expanding classroom capacity and meeting the demands of the province’s rapidly increasing student population.
The upcoming projects, which are expected to begin construction shortly, will add more than 6,100 student spaces through a mix of elementary and junior high schools. The initiative is part of the province’s broader effort to strengthen educational infrastructure in fast-growing communities.
Infrastructure Minister Martin Long said the investment is intended to ensure that families have access to modern schools located closer to where they live, keeping pace with Alberta’s continued population growth.
Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides noted that nearly 90,000 additional students have entered Alberta’s education system over the past four years, increasing the need for new learning spaces. He said the latest projects complement the 161 school developments already underway across the province.
The schools will be built using standardized designs focused on accessibility, student well-being and modern learning requirements. Officials believe this approach will help speed up construction while maintaining consistent quality across projects.
The province is delivering the schools through a public-private partnership model, which includes collaboration with private infrastructure and construction firms. According to project partners, the model is expected to improve efficiency, reduce delivery timelines and provide long-term maintenance support while ensuring accountability for public spending.
Concert Infrastructure Chief Executive Officer Derron Bain said the partnership brings together repeatable designs, clear project goals and long-term operational planning to create durable educational facilities that will serve future generations.
Provincial officials said the investment reflects Alberta’s commitment to supporting expanding neighbourhoods with quality educational infrastructure while ensuring value for taxpayers. Once completed, the schools are expected to provide modern, inclusive environments that contribute to both student achievement and community development.
