Cochrane is one step closer to getting a much-needed new school, as Rocky View Schools (RVS) announced progress on a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school planned for the Rivercrest neighbourhood.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, with the school scheduled to open in fall 2028. The project was approved as part of Alberta’s 2024 provincial budget and will help ease growing enrolment pressures across Cochrane.
“Our existing schools in Cochrane are full and the need for additional spaces is urgent, we are excited to see movement on this important project,” said RVS Board Chair Fiona Gilbert. “Once open, this new school will bring much-needed relief to our existing schools and help create improved learning and working environments for our students and staff.”
The development permit application for the Rivercrest school has already been submitted. Once approved, the province will move forward with selecting a public-private partnership (P3) consortium to manage construction. This school will be the second of three RVS schools built using the same architectural design, a move intended to speed up the planning and construction process.
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“RVS can’t wait to celebrate the opening of this much-needed Kindergarten to Grade 8 school,” said Gilbert. “With 905 new student spaces, it will help address ongoing space pressures in our schools and support the growing public education needs of families in Cochrane.”
Cochrane’s population has grown by 65 per cent over the past two decades, but school construction has struggled to keep up with demand.
In the meantime, modular classrooms may be used as a short-term solution to help with overcrowding. RVS remains hopeful Alberta Education will approve additional modular units to help manage enrolment until the Rivercrest school is ready.
The division says future opportunities will be available for community input regarding school attendance boundaries.