Canada invests $25.8 million to expand independent schools

Canada recently announced to invest $25.8 million in six independent school projects to expand classroom capacity, meet growing enrolment and give more families access to the learning environments that best suit their children.

The funding will support new school construction, campus expansions and modular classrooms in Calgary, Edmonton and central Alberta. The projects are expected to create 3,578 student spaces, including places for children with specialised educational needs.

Through the Independent School Capital program, the provincial government’s contribution is expected to unlock more than $108 million in additional investment from school authorities and community partners, taking the total value of construction projects beyond $134 million.

The initiative reflects Alberta’s approach to school choice, which allows families to select from public, separate, francophone, charter, independent and home education options.

“We are taking action to create more student spaces while ensuring parents continue to have choice in their children's education,” Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said. He added that partnerships with independent school authorities would help address rising enrolment and expand access to suitable learning environments.

Six projects set to expand school capacity

The approved projects will add thousands of places across the province, with Edmonton Islamic School receiving the largest allocation.

The six projects are:

• Edmonton Islamic School: $10 million for a new school creating 1,700 student spaces.
• Bearspaw Christian School, Calgary: $6.1 million for its Phase 4 expansion, adding 1,072 spaces.
• Khalsa School Calgary: $3.3 million for an expansion creating 300 spaces.
• Bearspaw Christian School, Calgary: $1.8 million for its Phase 3 expansion, creating 300 spaces.
• Lighthouse Christian Academy, Sylvan Lake/Lacombe County: $4 million for a new building creating 126 net new spaces.
• Third Academy, Calgary: $666,667 for a modular expansion providing 80 spaces for students with specialised educational needs.

For families seeking appropriate educational support for children with complex learning needs, the Third Academy project is particularly significant.

“Eighty new seats in the Calgary area! This is a godsend. On behalf of families searching for hope, thank you,” said Sunil Mattu, head of schools at Third Academy.

More funding planned for 2027 and 2028

The provincial government plans to continue the programme, with further application rounds scheduled for 2027 and 2028.

A further $25 million is earmarked for 2027-28 and $30 million for 2028-29, creating additional opportunities for eligible independent schools to expand their facilities and accommodate more students.

The three-year Independent School Capital program has a total budget of $90 million and aims to create up to 6,000 student spaces across Alberta.

Eligible projects include new school buildings, expansions, modular classrooms, building purchases and leasehold improvements. Grants are awarded through a competitive process that considers the number of spaces created, cost effectiveness, enrolment demand and project readiness.

Funding operates on a cost-matching basis. Established independent schools that have operated for more than three years must contribute $2 for every $1 provided by the government, while newer schools must contribute $4 for every $1 in government funding. Grants are released in stages as recipients demonstrate progress and provide the required matching contributions.

Khalsa School Calgary also welcomed the investment, describing it as a milestone for the school and the wider community.

“This historic investment is an important milestone for Khalsa School Calgary and our entire community,” said Ranbir Singh Parmar, chairman of Dashmesh Culture Centre and Khalsa School Calgary. He thanked the provincial government for recognising the growing needs of independent schools and supporting additional student spaces.

Investment complements wider school-building programme

The latest grants build on Alberta’s broader investment in education infrastructure, including the $10.8-billion Schools Now programme, which aims to build and renovate more than 100 public schools across the province.

Since 2019, the government has funded 205 public school projects. Nineteen projects have been completed since Schools Now began in 2024, with another 19 expected to be completed by the 2027 school year.

The Independent School Capital program also follows a $10-million grant approved in March 2026 for Renfrew Educational Services to complete the Three Sisters Centre in Bearspaw, in Rocky View County near Calgary.

Independent schools educate more than 7% of Alberta’s students while receiving less than 5% of provincial education funding, according to the government.

The new investment is intended to ease pressure on school capacity while maintaining a diverse education system. Its impact will ultimately depend on how quickly the approved projects move from funding commitments to completed classrooms and accessible places for students.