Blackfalds high school to open in September

 In just over two months the two story Grade 9-12 school will welcome hundreds of students

School's out for summer but when it resumes this fall, Blackfalds very first high school will open its doors.  According to the new school's principal "there wasn't a high school in Blackfalds before this." 

Ed Coles explained up until now Blackfalds students attended Lacombe Composite High School. 

Construction on the new Iron Ridge Secondary Campus started in the Spring of 2022 to help address crowded classes at Lacombe Composite.

"Lacombe Composite just couldn't keep up with the population growth that was continuing from Blackfalds," said Coles.

"Next year we will be opening with a population of about 320 students and then growing exponentially from there. So we'll be up to about 700 students in the next five years."

Those students will be able to take part in an array of options at the new secondary campus.

"We have a full welding bay, full carpentry, foods lab, cosmetology lab, art programming, you name it.  Blackfalds is a very small town but we're going to be able to offer as many programs as some of the bigger schools in the city."

Cole said classes commence on September 3rd with the grand opening ceremony for the Iron Ridge Secondary Campus taking place September 12th.