More Learning Spaces are Urgently Required
Currently, 175 schools (approximately 70%) are full or over capacity. The system utilization rate is 95% and is expected to exceed 100% in the next two years. High schools are already at 108% capacity.
In March 2024, the Board requested an additional 21 new schools in its 2025-28 Three-Year School Capital Plan to address rapid enrolment growth, with 13 schools urgently needed in year one. Just one school is currently under construction, and the CBE has received provincial approval for the planning, design or construction of an additional 14 schools in fast-growing areas of Calgary. In March 2025, the Board of Trustees requested an additional 16 new schools from the province, as well as one addition, one modernization and one replacement school.
Modular classrooms can provice short-term solutions for schools over capacity. In fall 2024, Trustees requested 64 additional modular classrooms. If approved, this would provide learning spaces for over 1,600 students. This is in addition to the 47 new modulars and 17 relocations approved previously, which are expected to be in place for the 2025-26 school year.
How does the CBE plan for new schools and modernized spaces?
Each year, school boards submit a plan to Alberta Education that identifies the top priorities for new schools and major modernizations. Our priorities are identified by considering population data, educational need, school condition, community demographics, school enrolment, transportation times and the overall economic and growth outlook for Calgary. Alberta Education receives about 400 capital requests annually from school boards across the province.
Learn more about Building and Modernizing Schools.
Current Priorities
In March 2025, the province announced design funding for 10 new schools for CBE. Together with the two schools announced in February 2025 and the three schools announced between 2022 to 2024, CBE will receive 15 new schools; one high school, six elementary schools and eight middle schools. Because it takes several years for new schools to be built, the system utilization rate is still projected to remain at 100% by 2029.
In April 2025 the Board of Trustees approved the
2026-29 Three-Year School Capital Plan which identifies 16 new schools from the province, as well one addition, one modernization and one replacement school.
Year 1 Requests
- Mahogany K-5
- Legacy K-4
- Walden K-5
- Cityscape K-5
- Walden/Wolf Willow K-9
- Carrington K-4
- Legacy 5-9
- Kincora/Sage Hill K-5
- Seton 5-9
- Country Hills K-9
- Belmont K-4
Other Year 1 Requests
A - Joane Cardinal-Schubert HS - addition
M - Crescent Heights HS - Modernization
R - William Aberhart HS - Replacement
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Year 2 Requests
- Seton K-4
- West Macleod High School
- Glacier Ridge High School
- Livingston High School
Year 3 Requests
- Livingston 5-9
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Urgent Need for New Learning Spaces
