Province Invests in Eastern Passage High School Students

Eastern Passage students will soon be able to attend high school in their community.

The province is meeting the needs of students and families in Eastern Passage by investing $15 million to bring Grades 10-12 to the area.

Premier Darrell Dexter was joined by Education Minister Ramona Jennex, MLA Becky Kent, representatives from the Halifax Regional School Board, students, parents and members of the community for the announcement at Seaside Elementary School today, April 2.

"This investment will help students from Eastern Passage stay in Eastern Passage for their whole education," said Premier Dexter. "I know this is important to families in this community, and I am pleased that our investment in skilled trades creates the opportunity to make that possible."

The province will work with the school board and the community to determine the most effective way to establish a high school, which could involve an addition and renovations to one or more of the existing schools in the area. The project will not impact other projects which the board may include in its capital priorities.

"Putting kids and learning first means providing the best possible learning environment for our students," said Ms. Jennex. "A high school in Eastern Passage will give students a chance to take advantage of 21st century learning opportunities in their community."

Eastern Passage students currently attend high school in Cole Harbour.

"It's great knowing that our children will have the chance to go to high school in the community," said Chris Peters, a parent from Eastern Passage. "There are many families who have been hoping for this good news for a while."

Bringing a high school to Eastern Passage is necessary to accommodate the construction of the Skilled Trades Centre at Cole Harbour District High School, announced earlier today, April 2.

The target for offering high school classes in Eastern Passage is September 2014.