RVS submits a Capital Plan including its Capital Priorities to the provincial government each spring. These three-year plans highlight the need for new schools and school modernizations/expansions in RVS. Alberta Education reviews each school board’s plans and submits its recommendations to the Treasury Board for consideration. School projects approved through this process are announced by the government following the release of the provincial budget for the upcoming year.
We have many reasons to celebrate after receiving approval for seven much-needed new school projects over the past 15 months. Thank you to parents, staff, students and community partners for your tireless efforts advocating with the Board for critically needed student spaces. These new schools will provide crucial student spaces and improve the learning and working environments for students and staff.
RVS’enrolment has grown by 44 per cent in the last 10 years. RVS’ 2026 – 2029 Capital Plan includes requests for schools in Airdrie, Chestermere and Cochrane to address this on-going need. As RVS plans for the future, a new school in Crossfield is included in year three as well as an addition and modernization of Springbank Middle School.
It currently takes about three years to build a new school after construction funding is approved, which is slower than our communities need. RVS will grow by 3,200+ students over the next five years; we will need a steady stream of school approvals to ensure available spaces for students stay on pace with community growth. We will continue to advocate with the help of our communities to get schools designed, built and open for learning as quickly as possible.
Projects by Community
New Schools
Funded for Construction
- Neighbourhood: Bayview
Expected grades: Kindergarten – Grade 9
Estimated/earliest opening: Fall 2028* - Neighbourhood: South Windsong
Expected grades: Kindergarten – Grade 9
Estimated/earliest opening: Fall 2027* - Neighbourhood: Southwinds
Expected grades: 10 – 12
Estimated opening: To be determined*
Funded for Planning
- Neighbourhood: Lanark
Expected grades: Kindergarten – Grade 9
Estimated/earliest opening: To be determined*
*Timelines will be updated as confirmed by the provincial government.
Expansion/Modernization
Bow Valley High School
Grades: 9 – 12
Funding level: Construction approved in 2022 and began in spring 2024.
Estimated completion: Fall 2026
This $51 million expansion includes a new gym and music room as well as modernization of the learning commons and washrooms. This project will be constructed in four phases, beginning in spring 2024, and will add about 300 student spaces.
New Schools
Funded for Construction
- Neighbourhood: Rivercrest
Expected grades: Kindergarten – Grade 8
Estimated/earliest opening: Fall 2028*
*Timelines will be updated as confirmed by the provincial government.
New Schools
Funded for Construction
- Neighbourhood: Dawson’s Landing
Expected grades: Kindergarten – Grade 9
Estimated opening: To be determined*
Funded for Planning
- Neighbourhood: Chelsea
Expected grades: 10 – 12
Estimated opening: To be determined*
*Timelines will be updated as confirmed by the provincial government.
Horseshoe Crossing High School
Grades: 9 – 11 (expanding to 9 – 12 in September 2025)
Opened: September 2024
Students attending this school come from Langdon, Indus and the surrounding area. High school students in Chestermere may complete Administrative Form 305-A Out of Attendance Area Application to attend Horseshoe Crossing.
Horseshoe Crossing High School was approved for full construction funding in 2019.