Construction of a new Kindergarten to Grade 8 school in Cochrane’s Rivercrest community is expected to begin in spring 2026, with completion slated for fall 2028. The project will add much-needed student spaces to the growing town and help alleviate enrolment pressures in nearby Rocky View Schools (RVS).
“Our existing schools in Cochrane are full, and the need for additional space is urgent—we’re excited to see movement on this important project,” said RVS board chair Fiona Gilbert. “Once open, this new school will bring much-needed relief and create improved learning and working environments for our students and staff.”
A development permit application has already been submitted. Once approved, the provincial government will begin the process of selecting a public-private partnership (P3) consortium to manage the build. The school was included in Alberta’s 2024 budget.
“This new school is one of several capital projects underway across the division as RVS works to meet the needs of its rapidly growing communities,” the division said in a news release. “We’re grateful for the Town of Cochrane’s collaboration in ensuring school sites like this one are shovel-ready—an important consideration for provincial funding.”
The Rivercrest school is based on designs used for two other recent RVS builds, a move that significantly shortens the planning timeline. The design maximizes available space and meets Alberta Education’s programming standards while supporting modern, meaningful student learning.
“RVS can’t wait to celebrate the opening of this much-needed K–8 school,” said Gilbert. “It will support the growing educational needs of families in Cochrane.”
The town’s population grew by 65 per cent between 2004 and 2024, bringing with it a sharp increase in student enrolment. While the new school will help long-term, RVS is also pursuing the installation of modular classrooms to address short-term overcrowding. The division remains hopeful Alberta Education will approve additional units.
Community members will have future opportunities to provide input on the school’s attendance boundaries and name. RVS has committed to providing ongoing updates as the project progresses.
For more information, visit https://www.rockyview.ab.ca/about-rvs/building-our-student-spaces.
