(Image Credit: Red Deer Public School/Supplied)

By Ian Gustafson

Four central Alberta projects

Provincial government announces funding for new high schools in Sylvan Lake

Mar 5, 2026 | 1:51 PM

Two school projects in Red Deer and Sylvan Lake, currently in the planning stages, are set to receive funding from the provincial government if the 2026 budget is passed.

The modernization of Ecole Oriole Park School by Red Deer Public Schools was announced, as well as two new high schools to form a campus in Sylvan Lake, which is a joint capital project for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and Chinook’s Edge School Division.

These projects were a pair of 16 new projects announced by the government in smaller cities and rural communities that will receive $44 million in funding.

These 16 new public school projects add on to the 63 previously announced projects that are currently underway in communities outside of Edmonton and Calgary.

“We are committed to building new schools across the province to catch up with the historic population growth that has been straining classrooms and staff,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. “Every student deserves the best education we can give them, no matter where they live. That’s why Budget 2026 is making targeted investments to plan and design schools in the communities that need them most, including smaller cities and rural areas.”

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The province’s $44-million investment in school projects through the 2026 budget is part of its broader $8.6-billion Schools Now program set to build and renovate more than 100 schools.

Alberta’s student population has increased, including 80,000 students joining Alberta over the last three years.

The projects announced have been set for some of the provinces fastest growing communities, including Airdrie, Canmore, Caslan, Cochrane, Fort Saskatchewan (two projects), Lac La Biche, Legal, Paddle Prairie, Red Deer, Spruce Grove, St. Albert (two projects), Stony Plain and Sylvan Lake (two projects).

“Whether a family lives in a major city, a smaller community or a rural area, students deserve modern learning spaces,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare. “Budget 2026 approves 40 new school projects, including 16 outside the major metropolitan areas in communities across the province, so students can continue to thrive.”

Meantime, Red Deer Public Schools said the modernization project will help ensure students and staff have access to updated learning spaces.

“This is an important and long-awaited investment in École Oriole Park,” said Nicole Buchanan, Board Chair. “We are grateful to see the government’s recognition to modernize this school so our students can learn in spaces that are functional and designed for the way education looks today.”

She added that the division looks forward to learning more details about timelines and next steps.

“Modernized learning environments make a real difference for students and staff,” Nicole added. “Today’s announcement is positive news for the entire Oriole Park community and Red Deer Public Schools’ community.”

In a joint press release between Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and Chinook’s Edge School Division, they said a new high school has been a pressing need for both school divisions.

“We are excited for a much-needed Catholic high school in Sylvan Lake,” said Chris Andrew, Board Chair, Red Deer
Catholic Regional Schools. “This is an opportunity to design a school that supports innovative programming, emerging
technologies, and evolving career pathways to meet industry needs in Alberta.”

The new campus, they explained, will support approximately 300 students for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and
approximately 975 students for Chinook’s Edge School Division. It will serve two school divisions and cultivate
partnerships with the Town of Sylvan Lake and a number of post-secondary institutions.

“Receiving planning funding from the Government of Alberta for a new Chinook’s Edge high school in Sylvan Lake
means Chinook’s Edge will offer students modern environments with high standards that are built to nurture
development and learning. The new school will alleviate space pressure in a rapidly growing community. State-of-the-art
buildings attract families and students, as well as high calibre teachers and staff,” said Holly Bilton, Board Chair,
Chinook’s Edge School Division.