Red Deer Catholic, Chinook's Edge receive funding for new Sylvan Lake high schools

The Chinook's Edge and Red Deer Catholic Regional school divisions received $50,000 for a new high school in Sylvan Lake. 

The grant came from Alberta Education to fund partnership planning and site confirmation work for the proposed campus. 

This investment marks a big step forward in the ongoing effort to establish a new high school that will serve students from both school divisions. 

"This investment is a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared vision of our school divisions," said Murray Hollman, RDCRS Board Chair.

"We are excited to work alongside Chinook's Edge to develop a collegiate campus that will provide unparalleled opportunities for students in Sylvan Lake and the surrounding area."

"We are pleased to receive this funding with Red Deer Catholic," says Holly Bilton, Chinook's Edge Board Chair.

"We value our partnership and the shared vision for the facility. We are eager to create a hub for the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI), where students throughout Central Alberta will gain increased access to career exploration and post-secondary programming."

At the proposed collegiate-style high school campus, students will be provided with access to diverse educational pathways, specialized programs, and innovative learning experiences. 

To get the new school both the school divisions will continue to work closely with Alberta Education and the community to make sure the development is successful. 

At the joint meeting held in the fall, both the RDCRS and CESD divisions appealed to MLAs to make the new shared high school a top priority.

Currently, the new high school is at the top of both school divisions' capital plans. 

Once the new school is built, it will provide a total of 1,475 learning spaces in the Sylvan Lake community. 

The new Grade 10-12 school for Chinook's Edge would have an opening capacity of 975 student spaces and the Red Deer Catholic school would have an opening capacity of 500 students. 

As planning progresses, further updates will be provided.