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Rocky View Schools has secured funding for seven new school projects in the past 15 months, a wave of approvals the division says is critical to easing crowding in some of Alberta’s fastest-growing communities.
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According to a release issued Tuesday, the new projects include five schools approved for construction and two more granted planning funds. Most of the new builds are in Airdrie, Chestermere, and Cochrane, where years of enrolment growth have pushed many RVS facilities beyond capacity.
"This significant number of new school projects is good news for RVS after years of steady enrolment increases in our schools, particularly in Airdrie, Cochrane and Chestermere," said board chair Fiona Gilbert in the statement. "These new schools will provide crucial new student spaces while improving the learning and working environments for students and staff in these communities."
Three of the schools were funded in the province’s 2024 budget. Two others received initial design funding under Alberta Education’s School Construction Accelerator Program before being advanced to full construction approval in February 2025.
An additional two schools were approved for planning in Budget 2025.
Five schools have been approved for construction:
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Airdrie Kindergarten–Grade 9 (South Windsong)
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Airdrie Kindergarten–Grade 9 (Bayview)
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Cochrane Kindergarten–Grade 8 (Rivercrest)
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Chestermere Kindergarten–Grade 9 (Dawson’s Landing)
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Airdrie high school (Southwinds)
Two schools have been approved for planning:
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Airdrie Kindergarten–Grade 9 (Lanark)
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Chestermere high school (Chelsea)
RVS said the new schools will open in stages over the next three to six years.
"It is critical these new schools are designed, built and open for learning as quickly as possible," the board said in the release.
Enrolment across RVS has climbed by more than 15 per cent in the past five years and 44 per cent over the past decade, according to the division. Projections suggest continued growth across the region will require further approvals in the years ahead.
The division’s 2026–2029 capital plan includes requests for additional schools in Airdrie, Chestermere and Cochrane. It also calls for a new school in Crossfield by year three of the plan, and an addition and modernization of Springbank Middle School.
"A steady stream of new school approvals in the coming years will be necessary to ensure available spaces for students stay on pace with community growth and RVS does not experience the impacts to students and staff seen recently because of years without school approvals," said Gilbert.
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