The 2025-2028 Capital Plan was approved by the Edmonton Catholic Schools Board of Trustees at its regularly scheduled Public Board Meeting on March 20, 2024. This three-year plan outlines a critical need for additional teaching and learning spaces to accommodate a soaring student population and enhanced operational efficiencies in older communities. In the last two years, ECSD enrolment has increased by 10%, and we are currently serving more than 48,000 students. 

 The first year of the 2025-2028 Capital Plan calls for full funding of six new school buildings.

• New K-9 School in Riverview/River's Edge (Design Funding Approved in 2024)
• New K-9 School in The Meadows/West Laurel (Design Funding Approved in 2024)
• New High School (10-12) in Lewis Farms/Rosenthal
• New High School (10-12) in The Meadows/Silver Berry
• St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary/Junior High Replacement School 
• New K-9 Solution School for The Palisades/Oxford

The Division's average utilization rate is 98% across all of our schools. This is due to the fact that 40% of our schools (37 of 92) are full or over capacity. We expect this number to be higher next year. 

"The only solution to our space crisis is new schools," said Board Chair Sandra Palazzo. "In the last few years, we have had to implement temporary measures in some schools to manage overcrowding. These measures are disruptive and extremely challenging for our families. We strongly believe that every student should be able to receive an excellent Catholic education in their home community.”

New Schools to Ease Enrolment Pressures

Design funding for new Catholic K-9 schools in Riverview/River's Edge and The Meadows/West Laurel was approved in the 2024 Alberta Budget, allowing the Division to prepare for the construction of these two desperately needed schools.  

"Our current situation at Good Shepherd Catholic Elementary School and Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary/Junior High School is unsustainable. Both schools are projected to surpass 150% utilization in the coming years. Full funding of this year’s design-funded projects is critical to easing larger class sizes and longer transportation ride times. It also helps us limit the need to implement temporary measures that we know are disruptive to families,” explained Chief Superintendent Lynnette Anderson.

Shortage of High School Space

Edmonton Catholic Schools is also concerned about a lack of space at the high school level, where nine out of ten high schools are over capacity. 

“It is estimated that we are currently short 1,400 spaces to properly accommodate our high school students. In five years, it’s projected we will be short 2,500 spaces, especially in West and Southeast Edmonton. This is despite us opening the two new high schools that are currently under construction,” said Anderson.

As a result, two new high schools are of the highest priority in this year’s Capital Plan.

“We are grateful for the commitment of all the projects the Division received in Budget 2024. We look forward to the province continuing to support the rapidly growing number of families choosing Edmonton Catholic Schools by building new schools,” added Board Chair Palazzo.

Next Steps

Once we receive full funding for a school, it takes at least three years to build and prepare for teaching and learning to take place. This Capital Plan outlines 13 projects and addresses our most immediate needs as well as the projected needs of growing and maturing communities in the years to come. 

The Board of Trustees will continue advocating for approval and funding for these projects, ensuring Edmonton Catholic Schools remains committed to providing an excellent Catholic education throughout the City of Edmonton.

The 2025-2028 Capital Plan will now be sent to Alberta Education for review and consideration for future funding.

More Information:

• Three-Year Capital Plan (2025-2028)
• Alberta Budget 2024 - Capital Announcement for Planning and Building New Schools