Alberta's government is speeding up 41 school projects through the Schools Now program, delivering much-needed schools to Alberta communities sooner.
Accelerating these projects will cut more than nine months off project timelines. Four projects that were fast-tracked in May 2025 are now moving ahead even faster through a second round of accelerations, helping bring new schools to students and families sooner.
"Having a school in the community is a tremendous benefit for families. It allows students to learn, grow and thrive close to home. These accelerated school projects will help ensure more families across Alberta have access to a local school in their community."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare
Launched in September 2024, the $8.6-billion Schools Now program is focused on building and renovating schools as quickly as possible to keep up with Alberta's rapid population growth. With more than 90,000 students joining Alberta's education system in just four years, these schools are greatly needed.
"Getting schools built faster matters to Alberta families. By accelerating 41 projects through the Schools Now program, we are moving more than 39,000 student spaces closer to construction and ensuring communities see real progress sooner."
Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure
Through this round of accelerations, 16 projects in Calgary will help support public, separate, francophone and charter schools in fast-growing neighbourhoods. In Edmonton, 11 accelerated projects are moving forward to help address enrolment growth and aging infrastructure. This includes new elementary and high schools, school additions, and major modernization and replacement projects across several school boards.
"We are grateful that more than half of our school projects are advancing to the next stage through the Schools Now program. The announcement of 11 of these projects moving to construction will ensure progress is sustained on the delivery of much-needed learning spaces across all quadrants of the city."
Laura Hack, board chair, Calgary Board of Education
New schools are also advancing in Airdrie, Brooks and Chestermere, supporting rapidly growing communities in southern Alberta. Across central Alberta, projects in Red Deer, Beaumont, Sherwood Park, Morinville, St. Albert and Wetaskiwin will deliver new and upgraded spaces sooner, supporting both growing and established communities. In northern Alberta, accelerated projects in Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie County and Fairview will provide key upgrades and replacements, helping to ensure students have safe, modern learning spaces.
"Today, we celebrate more than the construction of new schools; we celebrate the opportunities they create. Strong schools build strong communities. Every new Catholic school is an investment in the success of the more than 64,000 students we serve, a foundation for stronger faith-filled communities and a powerful reminder that when we invest in children, we invest in Alberta's future."
Lory Iovinelli, board chair, Calgary Catholic School District
Quick facts
- There are currently 159 active school projects underway across the province, with 16 projects completed under the Schools Now program.
- The Schools Now program is an $8.6-billion investment in Alberta's school infrastructure that will deliver about 200,000 new and modernized student spaces across the province by 2031-32.
- Schools Now has accelerated projects 83 times in total, with nine projects accelerated twice.
- By advancing projects to their next funding stage ahead of the budget cycle, every Schools Now project has moved forward by at least six weeks, with nearly two-thirds of projects advancing by nine months or more.
Related information
- Graphics are available here.
- Schools Now
- School Construction Accelerator Program
Backgrounder : Accelerated school projects (41) - Summer 2026
