The first Francophone school in Chestermere will open by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The school, created by FrancoSud will be placed within the Chestermere Recreation Centre.
"The school will offer an education from Kindergarten to Grade 6, with the goal of expanding to additional grade levels in the coming years," said a news release from FrancoSud. "This school will provide first-language French education to Francophone families of Chestermere, Strathmore, Langdon, and the surrounding areas."
The school was created through a collaborative effort that began in 2023. According to FrancoSud, local parents expressed a desire for a Francophone school in the community.
The school board said finding a suitable location was a challenge.
"Significant renovations will be undertaken to transform part of the building into a modern and well-equipped school space, capable of accommodating multiple students in different classes," added the release.
Although there are no dedicated Francophone schools in Chestermere, East Lake School and Chestermere Lake Middle School offer French immersion programs for students from kindergarten to Grade 9.
