Alberta Funds Six Independent School Projects With $25.8M

Alberta has awarded $25.8 million in capital funding for six construction projects at five independent schools in Edmonton, Calgary and Sylvan Lake. Announced in October 2026, the funding supports new school buildings and expansions expected to add a combined 3,500 student spaces.

CBC News reports that the recipients include Edmonton Islamic Academy, Bearspaw Christian School, Third Academy, Khalsa School Calgary and Lighthouse Christian Academy. The package includes a grant toward Edmonton Islamic Academy’s $80-million elementary school and funding for a modular expansion at Third Academy.

For contractors and suppliers, the announcement identifies a mix of new-build, expansion and modular school work. The $25.8 million represents provincial contributions, rather than the combined construction value of the six projects.

Key Project Facts

• Project type: Six independent school construction projects at five schools, including new buildings and expansions.
• Locations: Edmonton, Calgary and Sylvan Lake, Alberta.
• Capacity: A combined 3,500 additional student spaces.
• Provincial funding: $25.8 million through the independent school capital program.
• Identified construction value: $80 million for Edmonton Islamic Academy’s new elementary school.
• Funding recipients: Edmonton Islamic Academy, Bearspaw Christian School, Third Academy, Khalsa School Calgary and Lighthouse Christian Academy.
• Stage: Provincial capital funding awarded.
• Program timeline: Three-year, $90-million provincial commitment, with further applications to be accepted in 2027 and 2028.

Which School Projects Are Receiving Funding?

The six funded projects span three Alberta municipalities. Bearspaw Christian School accounts for two separate expansion projects, while each of the other four schools receives funding for one project.

• Edmonton Islamic Academy, Edmonton: $10 million toward a new $80-million elementary school.
• Bearspaw Christian School, Calgary: $1.8 million for one expansion and $6.1 million for another expansion.
• Third Academy, Calgary: $666,667 for a modular expansion serving students with specialized education needs.
• Khalsa School Calgary, Calgary: $3.3 million in construction funding.
• Lighthouse Christian Academy, Sylvan Lake: $4 million for a new building.

Edmonton Islamic Academy’s $10-million allocation reaches the program’s per-project funding cap. Its $80-million elementary school is a distinct new-build opportunity within a funding package that also includes additions to existing school facilities.

For firms assessing Bearspaw Christian School, the two allocations should be treated as separate expansion projects rather than a single construction package. Third Academy’s modular scope also warrants a different procurement assessment from the new school buildings.

How the Capital Grants Support Construction

The independent school capital program pays one-third of eligible project costs, up to $10 million per project. The six awards form part of Alberta’s three-year, $90-million commitment to help finance independent school construction.

Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said 35 independent school authorities applied for grants covering 40 projects. Together, those applications requested $182 million.

Funding decisions prioritized projects that were ready to build, were cost efficient, created more student spaces or served students with exceptional needs. For construction firms, those selection criteria make the funded group worth tracking separately from the wider pool of grant applicants.

The province will accept further applications in 2027 and 2028, and unsuccessful applicants can apply again. Those application years are funding milestones, not completion dates for the six projects receiving this round of support.

Construction Considerations for New Buildings and Expansions

The funded scopes call for different approaches to estimating and coordination. Edmonton Islamic Academy and Lighthouse Christian Academy are receiving support for new buildings, while Bearspaw Christian School has two expansion projects and Third Academy has a modular addition.

For the expansion work, contractors should assess how additions could connect to existing circulation, building envelopes and mechanical and electrical services. Any work beside operating school facilities would also require careful consideration of access, deliveries and separation between construction activities and school users.

Third Academy’s modular expansion could involve coordination between module fabrication, transportation, placement and on-site service connections. Suppliers and installers should assess the division between factory-completed work and site-installed systems when reviewing a modular package.

Because Third Academy’s expansion serves students with specialized education needs, prospective bidders should review accessibility and room-specific requirements closely. These considerations should be checked against the actual design and tender scope rather than assumed from the funding announcement.

Construction Trades Involved

The announced new buildings, conventional expansions and modular addition could involve a range of construction disciplines, depending on each project’s procurement stage and package scope.

Potential trades include:

• Site preparation
• Excavation and grading
• Underground utilities and drainage
• Concrete foundations and slabs
• Structural steel
• Carpentry and framing
• Masonry
• Modular building fabrication and installation
• Roofing
• Exterior cladding
• Glazing and windows
• Insulation and air barriers
• Mechanical and HVAC
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Fire protection
• Low-voltage communications and security systems
• Drywall and interior partitions
• Acoustical ceilings
• Flooring
• Painting
• Doors and hardware
• Millwork
• Paving and landscaping

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the funded school projects located?

The five recipient schools are in Edmonton, Calgary and Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Calgary has three recipient schools, including Bearspaw Christian School, which is receiving grants for two expansions.

How much provincial funding will the six projects receive?

The province announced $25.8 million in funding. The program contributes one-third of project costs, subject to a $10-million cap per project.

How many student spaces will the projects add?

The six construction projects are expected to add a combined 3,500 student spaces.

For contractors and suppliers, this funding round identifies six school projects with provincial financial support and a mix of new-build, expansion and modular scopes. Assessing each project separately will help firms distinguish the relevant construction packages from the broader grant totals.

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