The province recently announced two new schools will be built in Red Deer.
A Catholic high school, which will be called St. Joseph’s High School, and an elementary school for the public district will be built in the City by 2016. Both schools will built in north Red Deer with the high school to be located near 67 St. and 30 Ave.
The Red Deer Royals will also have a permanent practice space, something they have long needed, in St. Joseph’s High School.
St. Joseph’s High School will be able to accommodate 900 students with a build-out to 1,200 students, while the new public elementary school will provide space for up to 500 students. The schools will help to address the enrolment pressures in the City’s north communities.
“Because Red Deer is one of the fastest growing parts of our province, these new schools mean that students will be able to attend school closer to their homes and in schools that are tailored to meet educational programming needs,” said Mary Anne Jablonski, MLA for Red Deer North.
Cal Dallas, minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations and MLA for Red Deer South said the announcement of the new schools will have a long-lasting impact on the community.
“Because a school is so much more than the bricks and mortar, it’s about the connection in the sense of community that our schools provide. It fulfills the needs that we have today, but it will fulfill needs far into our future and ensure that our students excel and as a result ensure that our communities continue to flourish,” he said. “These new schools will compliment Red Deer’s school projects that are already underway – the modernization of the Annie L. Gaetz school and the opening of three new schools this fall – a new K-5 public school, a new K-5 Catholic school and a new K-12 Francophone school, replacing the current Ecole La Prairie School.”
He added both of the new schools announced last week will have bright, open spaces. And through the use of natural light and advanced ventilation systems, that enhance air quality and circulation, these new schools will benefit students and teachers by providing healthy learning and working environments.
In addition to conventional classrooms, the new facilities will also include space for project-based, collaborative learning.
Paul Mason, superintendent for the Catholic school district said the announcement of a new Catholic high school in Red Deer is a welcomed one.
“When we talk about meeting the future educational needs of students, the importance of having modern facilities is critical if we are to prepare our students for a world that does not yet exist,” he said. “Working in education we are always attempting to be moving at the speed of creativity that our students possess and excel at which is quite a challenge.
“Specifically for Red Deer Catholic, a new high school means many wonderful things. It will allow us to broaden the number of programs that we’re going to be able to offer our students, it lets us explore partnerships with community agencies and allows for increased chances for collaboration between teachers. All in all we not only see a new high school benefitting our school division but all of the community as well.”
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
