November 26, 2025
Edmonton Catholic Schools is adjusting attendance boundaries to better balance enrolment and maintain high-quality programming.
Beginning September 2026, new student registrations from the communities of Hays Ridge, Graydon Hill, and Paisley will be designated to Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High School. This change removes the shared designation between St. Thomas Aquinas and Joan Carr Schools and will remain in effect until the new school, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary/Junior High, opens in September 2028.
Families of St. Thomas Aquinas and Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High Schools were notified of this change through a SchoolMessenger email sent on November 26, 2025.
What is Changing?
- The Hays Ridge, Graydon Hill, and Paisley communities shared designation area between St. Thomas Aquinas and Joan Carr will be removed.
- Starting September 2026, new student registrations from Hays Ridge, Graydon Hill, and Paisley will be designated to Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.
- Families who wish to keep siblings together and have a child currently attending St. Thomas Aquinas may choose to register all their children at Joan Carr instead.
Students already enrolled at St. Thomas Aquinas or Joan Carr will not be affected by this change. Children from Hays Ridge, Graydon Hill, and Paisley who currently attend either school may remain there until St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary/Junior High opens in Hays Ridge in September 2028.
Busing and transportation services will continue as usual for eligible students.
Why is This Change Being Made?
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is currently above capacity, with a utilization rate of 134%. Joan Carr Catholic School has available space to welcome new students from the communities of Hays Ridge, Graydon Hill, and Paisley until the new school, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary/Junior High School, opens in 2028.
By redirecting new registrations to Joan Carr Catholic School, Edmonton Catholic Schools can better balance enrolment and maintain high-quality programming across both schools.
Beginning September 2028, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary/Junior High School, the new K-9 school in Hays Ridge, will welcome students from the communities of Hays Ridge, Graydon Hill, and Paisley. Transportation to Joan Carr and St. Thomas Aquinas from these communities will end in June 2028.
About St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary/Junior High School is scheduled to open in Fall 2028, serving families in Hays Ridge, Chappelle, Paisley, and Graydon Hill. Located at 31 Avenue and Hays Ridge Drive SW, the K–9 school will accommodate up to 950 students and provide modern learning spaces designed to support high-quality Catholic education. Construction is tentatively set to begin in Spring 2026.
Next Steps and Questions
During the February 2026 registration period, new students from Hays Ridge, Graydon Hill, and Paisley will be directed to Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High School. Edmonton Catholic Schools encourages new and current students to identify their intended schools for the next school year during this period.
Attendance boundaries are reviewed and revised in accordance with Edmonton Catholic School Division Administrative Procedure 305, School Attendance Area. This procedure requires the Division to assess school boundaries annually and make changes as needed to ensure balanced enrolment and accommodate future growth. The process is designed to support high-quality learning environments and meet the needs of all students in the Division.
If you have questions about these changes, we encourage you to contact your school principal or email engagement@ecsd.net.
For transportation inquiries, please call 780-441-6078 or email transportationservices@ecsd.net .
St. Thomas Aquinas Attendance Boundary Map
This map shows the new catchment area for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary/Junior High School for the 2026-2027 school year.
