On March 1, 2024, the Alberta Government announced full construction funding for the Catholic K-9 Rundle Heights Replacement School.
The Rundle Heights Replacement School will bring together students from St. Bernadette, St. Nicholas, and the former St. Jerome. It will be located on the former site of St. Jerome near 33 Street and 107 Avenue NW and will have space for 730 students.
Alberta Infrastructure is the lead on this project, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.
Key features include:
- STEAM Classrooms
- Classrooms in pods with central collaboration spaces
- CTS Lab
- Two Music and Fine Arts rooms
- Large and small gyms
- Dedicated Soccer Academy space
- Foods Lab
The school is expected to be ready to welcome students and staff in September 2027.
Edmonton Catholic Schools remains committed to keeping the community updated and supporting students, families, and staff as the school opening approaches. For questions or further details, contact the Educational Planning team at 780-441-6010 or email ecsdplanning@ecsd.net.
Community Engagement
Project Update - December 2024
The Rundle Heights Replacement School project, led by Alberta Infrastructure, is progressing. Demolition of the former St. Jerome school is now complete, allowing construction of the new Catholic K-9 school to begin in the new year. While progress has been slower than initially anticipated, reaching this milestone clarifies the overall timeline. The school is now expected to be ready to welcome students and staff in September 2027.
This information was shared in a letter to families.
Information Session - April 2024
On April 25, 2024, Edmonton Catholic Schools met with families from St. Bernadette, St. Jerome, and St. Nicholas at St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School for an information session and BBQ to provide an update about the Rundle Heights Replacement School project. Review the Rundle Heights Design Presentation to learn more about the project and the decision to relocate St. Jerome students to St. Bernadette while the new school is built. The temporary relocation began in September 2024.
How was this decision made?
As part of our engagement with the school communities, families told us that having all the amenities ready for the school opening was important to them. To ensure that the construction occurs as quickly and safely as possible, Edmonton Catholic Schools decided to relocate St. Jerome students so that they are not learning on an active construction site.
Project Update - Fall 2023
The Rundle Heights consolidation is a priority for ECSD. We believe all students should have equitable access to quality and vibrant learning environments, and we are excited about the opportunity of re-investing in these communities. Schools have evolved over the past 50-60 years. Our learning spaces need to reflect this evolution and provide all students with access to collaborative learning spaces, more natural light, comfortable seating, places to gather, and the most innovative technology available to support their learning.
In March, as part of the Government of Alberta's Education Budget 2023, the Rundle Heights consolidation project received design funding. This is an important step in the approval process and demonstrates a commitment from the Alberta Government. The project remains a top priority in our Three-Year 2024-2027 Capital Plan (page 20) and will see the consolidation of St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School, St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School, and St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High School into one new K-9 school. The new school will be built on the same site where St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School is currently located. We anticipate full funding for construction in early 2024.
Engagement Session - May 2023
On May 30, 2023, ECSD held an in-person engagement with the families of St. Bernadette, St. Jerome, and St. Nicholas Catholic Schools where they provided an update on the Rundle Heights consolidation project and gathered feedback on programming and design.
Click below to view the following from the May 30, 2023, presentation:
- Rundle Consolidation Engagement Presentation
Rundle Consolidation Engagement Presentation with Presenter Notes
An engagement survey with the same questions asked at the in-person engagement was open for responses until June 22, 2023.
The What We Heard Report- Rundle Heights Consolidation June 2023 summarizes the feedback and input we received.
Community Meeting - May 2022
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Edmonton Catholic Schools held a virtual information meeting to provide an update on the Rundle Heights Consolidation. Families from St. Bernadette, St. Jerome, and St. Nicholas were invited to join Trustee Terry Harris, Educational Planning, and Communications and Engagement Services, to hear more about the project.
Community Meeting - February 2021
Educational Planning Services held a virtual community information evening with St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School, St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School, and St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High School in February 2021.
Community Meeting - February 2020
In February 2020, Educational Planning Services held a community information meeting at St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School. At this meeting, families were notified of the addition of St. Bernadette to the Rundle Heights Consolidation project and the increase of the replacement school capacity to 750 students.
Community Meeting - Fall 2019
An engagement with principals, staff, and community members took place at St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High School to provide information about the school consolidation project. The project was number 12 on the 2020-2023 Capital Plan priority list.