The Government of Alberta is investing $79 million to build the Dr. Anne Anderson School to provide space for up to 1,800 Edmonton students. The school will have the capacity to expand and accommodate up to 2,400 students in the future.
“Dr. Anne Anderson School meets the needs of families in one of Canada’s fastest-growing and youngest cities. Public education is a key Edmonton edge as we compete internationally for newcomers,” said Don Iveson, mayor, City of Edmonton.
“We are thankful to the government for the funding for Dr. Anne Anderson School as our district’s infrastructure needs, particularly at the high school level, continue to be great. This new space will provide a safe, welcoming learning environment for thousands of students for years to come,” said Michelle Draper, board chair, Edmonton Public Schools.
The school is being named in honour of Dr. Anne Anderson, an Albertan who was instrumental in preserving the Cree language and promoting Métis heritage across Canada.
Education Minister Davd Eggen announced plans for the new secondary school while he visited students at Dr. Lila Fahlman School, a K-9 school in southwest Edmonton that was completed in September 2017 with a provincial investment of approximately $22 million. Students from this school and others are expected to attend grades 10 to 12 at the Dr. Anne Anderson School once completed.
The school is in the planning stage and on track to open in 2021. The City of Edmonton will contribute an additional $5.5 million to the project.