New High School for Eastern Passage Students

Students in Eastern Passage will soon be able to complete their high school education in their own community, at a brand new, modern, high-tech school.

The province looked closely at the options to bring a high school to the community and announced today, July 18, that building a new facility rather than renovating an existing school was the best and most cost-effective route.

"This is the right decision for families in Eastern Passage because it means that students here will finish their education where they started it -- in their own community," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "A high school built from scratch will ensure students get the very best educational opportunities, right here at home.

"It also means that the students of Cole Harbour District High School will have space for a new skilled trades centre to help young people prepare for the good jobs associated with opportunities like the shipbuilding contract and offshore exploration."

High school students in Eastern Passage now commute to Cole Harbour. Building a new high school means they can learn close to home.

"This is great news for our community," said parent Bradley Tucker, whose nine-year-old daughter will attend the new high school. "This news is very exciting for us and I'm glad things have worked out in our favour. After all, it means our daughter will attend a brand new school."

The province will invest $21 million to build the new high school and $10 million to create the skilled trades centre.

"We are putting kids and learning first by investing in the best possible schools for our students," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex. "A new school being built in Eastern Passage and a skilled trades centre being established in Cole Harbour will give students excellent learning opportunities right in their communities."

The school board is working with the province to choose a site without delay so construction can begin soon. It is anticipated the new school will be built near the existing Seaside Elementary School. It will be ready for the 2015-16 school year.

"I am pleased the province has decided to invest in both Cole Harbour and Eastern Passage," said Nancy Jakeman, Halifax Regional School Board member for Cole Harbour - Dartmouth East. "Both facilities will be of the highest quality and serve generations of students in their own communities."