New School for West Hants
The Province is investing in a new school to replace Windsor Forks and Three Mile Plains district schools, offering a modern learning environment for students in pre-primary to Grade 5.
“We know these communities have been waiting a long time to hear this news. A new school will ensure students have a dynamic setting that will set them up for success,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Becky Druhan. “Through our new five-year school capital plan, we are addressing aging infrastructure and population growth, through new schools and additions, upgrades and land acquisitions.”
There will be community consultation on the consolidation of the two schools, which are part of the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education, before the site selection process begins. The site selection process is outlined in the Governor in Council Education Act Regulations, which say existing school sites are considered first.
The Department of Public Works will issue a tender for the design of the replacement school once the site selection process has been completed and approved by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. There will be community input into design elements of the new school.
Three Mile Plains District School was built in 1963 and has 145 students, while Windsor Forks District School was built in 1964 and has 123 students. The new school is expected to open in September 2029.
Nova Scotia’s new five-year school capital plan invests nearly $1 billion in building new schools and improving or expanding current schools. That includes about $263 million for four new replacement schools, in Hants County, Trenton, New Germany and Porters Lake.
Quotes:
“Providing students with an inclusive and welcoming place to learn, where they see their culture and identity reflected, is a priority in our region. We know students succeed when they feel a sense of belonging. Honouring each school’s unique history will be an important part of our journey as we bring Three Mile Plains and Windsor Forks together to cultivate a new school community.”
– Dave Jones, Regional Executive Director, Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
“Joining our two schools together within one building will be a chance to build on each community’s unique history and strengths. It will also provide opportunities to create connections and for students to learn together with new friends in a positive, supportive environment.”
– Craig MacDonald, Principal, Three Mile Plains District School
“A new school will offer many positives for our students, including more accessible spaces throughout the building, a dedicated gym, all learning spaces under one roof, and modern classrooms that will have the flexibility to meet students’ needs well into the future.”
– Diana Dunn, Principal, Windsor Forks District School
Quick Facts:
- the Province is investing $948 million over multiple years in the school capital plan; $240.8 million was announced in March and $707.2 million is new funding
- the plan addresses immediate enrolment needs by investing $120 million in modular classrooms for existing schools and includes $54 million for capital repairs and $511 million to complete previously announced school projects
Additional Resources:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/education-and-early-childhood-development
News Release – New school Capital Plan Addresses Growth, Invests in New and Existing Schools Across Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20230616006
Nova Scotia School Capital Plan: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/capitalplan
Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education: https://avrce.ca/