When a brand-new school is planned in a new community, it’s an attractive feature for many home buyers. However, there are many planning steps before a school can be approved, built and opened.

The municipality and the local school board(s) determine the number of school sites in a new community, as well as their locations. During the planning phases of the new community, the school boards will create a priority list for new schools and advocate annually for the funding for the highest priority sites. Sites are then assessed and placed in the Capital Plan for the school board to develop, in conjunction with provincial funding.

Once the province provides the financial resources for the construction of a new school, the school board takes ownership of the site from the municipality.

The developer’s role for these new sites is to donate the required land to the municipality, which is then held for the school board. Once the location of the site has been decided and land has been donated, the developer is responsible for:

• The boundary infrastructure, including the surrounding roads, sidewalks, water mains and sewers
• Services for the site, including water, sanitary and storm services
• Landscaping

Once these items are complete, the developer will maintain the site for a one- to two-year warranty period.

Residential development occurs in phases, and the development of a school site will happen at the same time the surrounding area is being developed. For example, if the school site is located in Phase 3 of a community, the school development plan will be initiated when Phase 3 development begins.

If you’re new to Edmonton or would like to research additional school options for your children, a good first step is to visit the websites of Edmonton Public Schools or Edmonton Catholic Schools. Beyond helping you find a nearby school, these websites contain helpful information about locations, bus service, child care options, and each school’s academic focus.

As Alberta and the greater Edmonton area continue to thrive, parents and guardians will enjoy a growing number of excellent education options for their children.