Let's Talk About: Schools in Fort Saskatchewan

Help EIPS plan and grow

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is exploring how best to manage the challenges the Division faces in Fort Saskatchewan—in terms of the limited and ageing infrastructure, the region’s growing population and anticipated capacity pressures. The goal: To ensure all Fort Saskatchewan learners receive a high-quality, student-centred education in 21st-century learning spaces—spaces that prepare students for life after high school, develop career opportunities and help build the community, all at the same time.

Latest Update:

On April 25, EIPS hosted a community conversation with school families in Fort Saskatchewan to talk about its schools and the challenges the Division faces—in terms of limited and ageing infrastructure and the region’s growing population. Attendees gained insight into what the Division is doing to address these challenges, EIPS’ capital plan priorities, work undertaken on the collegiate model—designed to provide students with high-demand employment training and skills in their community—and strategies moving forward. Those who came also had a chance to ask questions, share their concerns and learn how they can help.

Schools in Fort Saskatchewan: Meeting recap

Help EIPS Advocate for new schools in Fort Saskatchewan

Are you concerned about schools in Fort Saskatchewan? If so, share your voice and help EIPS advocate for new school buildings to address student capacity and ageing infrastructure concerns.

It's easy! Simply, tell your friends, family and neighbours about the challenges the Division is facing. And, share your thoughts with elected officials by phone, mail, email and social media. They want to hear from you about what’s important to you and your family, and ways to build the community.

Contacts: Elected officials

The Hon. Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk
Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees
MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville
9940 99 Ave.
Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 1Y7
fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca
Ph: 780-632-6840

The Hon. Demetrios Nicolaides
Minister of Education, Government of Alberta
228 Legislature Building
10800 97 Ave.
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
education.minister@gov.ab.ca
Ph: 780-427-7219

The Hon. Danielle Smith
Premier, Government of Alberta
307 Legislature Building
10800 97 Ave.
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
premier@gov.ab.ca
Ph: 780-427-2251

Others:
Mayor Gale Katchur
City of Fort Saskatchewan
10005 102 St.
Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2C5
gkatchur@fortsask.ca
Ph: 780-992-6200

EIPS Board of Trustees
Elk Island Public Schools
683 Wye Rd.
Sherwood Park, AB T8B 1N2
communications@eips.ca
Ph: 780-464-3477

Background

Over the last several years, Fort Saskatchewan has experienced significant growth. In fact, it’s the fastest-growing community within EIPS. The growth is to the point where it could soon affect the Division’s ability to provide accommodations for students living in the community. With new developments underway in the Industrial Heartland, schools throughout the city will, or already are, experiencing enrolment pressures.

Coupled with the growth, is the age of most EIPS school buildings in Fort Saskatchewan. The only new school in the region is SouthPointe School—already fully utilized at 93%. All other schools in the city range between 68 years old and 42 years old. Given their age, the schools are at or nearing end of life, causing various operations and programming challenges for the Division, which only adds to the capacity issues in Fort Saskatchewan.

Currently, EIPS is exploring ways to best address its concerns—the limited and ageing infrastructure, the region’s growing population and anticipated capacity challenges. It has also formally requested the province fund three Fort Saskatchewan-based capital projects, listed within the EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan.

Priority No. 1: A new junior-senior high replacement school, grades 7-12, to replace Fort Saskatchewan High and Rudolph Hennig Junior High—with the ability to add 200 student spaces.

Priority No. 2: A new elementary school, K-6, to replace James Mowat Elementary—with an added student capacity of 244 spaces.

Priority No. 5: A major modernization of Win Ferguson Elementary, K-6—with the possibility of added student capacity

Incoming industry
Fort Saskatchewan is also the Division’s fastest-growing community. As mentioned, one reason for that is the Industrial Heartland. Already, it’s home to more than 40 companies, and many more major projects are underway or under study. Construction on Dow’s new Path2Zero facility will start soon, creating up to 8,000 jobs. And once it is complete, Dow estimates 400 to 500 full-time permanent jobs in the region. Other projects include:

Suncor ATCO Hydrogen Project;
Scotford Solar;
Fort Saskatchewan Expansion;
plus, more

Needless to say, EIPS needs to address the growth and the ageing infrastructure to ensure it can accommodate students, long term.

A Collegiate Model
Right now, most of EIPS' focus is on Priority No. 1—a new junior-senior high replacement school located in Southridge. It’s a project the entire Division is excited about and its potential.

What EIPS envisions is a collegiate model for the school. One where we provide students from grades 7 to 12 with leading-edge spaces and programming that prepares them for specific post-secondary opportunities—be it in the trades, university or the world of work. So, when students leave senior high, they have the knowledge they need, and sometimes even the certification, to go into the field they want to be in, which could include:

power engineering;
skilled trades, such as welding and mechanics;
health-care;
early childhood education; or
other professional designations.

Ultimately, the goal is to provide learners with:

21st-century spaces.
to prepare them to work in the sectors that exist within the areas they live in—both now and in the future; and
ultimately, ensure they contribute to the prosperity of the community in which they live.

Through that, EIPS can ensure it provides high-quality, student-centred education to every student in Fort Saskatchewan.

Engagement Timelines

Community Conversation: Details
There are no public engagement events planned at this time.

The most recent engagement took place at SouthPointe School on April 25, 2024—a community conversation about the challenges the Division faces in Fort Saskatchewan—in terms of limited and ageing infrastructure and the region’s growing population. Attendees gained insight into what the Division is doing to address these, strategies moving forward and how school families can help.

EIPS will update school families and the website when more engagements are planned.