Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) continues to plan for a new high school north of Grande Prairie, despite not being listed in the Alberta Government’s 2024 budget.
In 2023, PWPSD was awarded planning funding for a new high school, but the design funding the Division was hoping for was excluded from this year’s list. Regardless of the lack of funding, PWPSD continues to advocate for construction funding for the high school as enrollment projections predict the current Peace Wapiti Academy will exceed 100% by 2025.
PWPSD Board Chair Lori Grant says while the Board is disappointed that the Division was not provided design funding, Trustees are proud of the progress made so far. “Our staff, parents, and communities have been working hard to prepare for the next steps, and we are very pleased with their dedication and hard work. Although we are discouraged by this setback, we are very thankful for our partnership with the County of Grande Prairie. We have achieved so much with their help of securing land and campaigning to the provincial government. Our students belong in first class facilities, and we will continue to advocate for their new high school.”
County of Grande Prairie Reeve Bob Marshall shares his support for the Division and the effort made thus far, “The Peace Wapiti Academy replacement project is the top priority for Peace Wapiti School Division’s 2025-2028 Capital Plan and the County of Grande Prairie will continue to call on the provincial government to see it through to completion. The replacement high school will keep pace with our growing population, educating students where they live while eliminating the challenges of bussing students from across the County through the City of Grande Prairie. While we appreciate the planning funding the province provided for this project in 2023, it is time to move on to the next steps.”
PWPSD will continue with its own next steps of visiting new high schools throughout the province to learn what new facilities are working well for Alberta students and will be ready to move forward once design funding is approved.