Two new French-language schools are getting ready to welcome students in Nova Scotia.
École Baie Sainte-Marie in Saulnierville and École Mer et Monde in Halifax will both open to students on Friday, September 4.
Both schools are part of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and will serve Acadian and francophone students.
Two new schools opening the same day
The openings mark a big week for French-language education in the province.
Most students in Nova Scotia begin the school year September 3, but staff at the two new schools have an extra day to set up classrooms and get familiar with the new buildings before students arrive.
The province says official opening events will be held at both schools this fall.
Diane Racette, chair of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, says modern French-language schools create new opportunities for students to thrive.
She says the new schools will help students learn, connect and experience their language and culture every day.
New home for students in Clare
École Baie Sainte-Marie will serve students from pre-primary to Grade 6.
The school has capacity for 350 students.
The new CSAP school brings together students, families and staff from École Joseph-Dugas and École Stella-Maris in a new modern learning environment.
The school also includes a child-care centre and community centre.
Ryan Robicheau, MLA for Clare, says the school marks “an exciting new chapter for French-language education” in the region.
He says the new building will help bring the community together and support the future of French-language education in Clare.
Robicheau says generations of students have learned at Joseph-Dugas, Stella-Maris, Saint Albert and Jean-Marie Gay, and the new school will give the next generation a place to learn, build friendships and celebrate Acadian identity and culture.
École Stella-Maris was built in Meteghan in 1965, while École Joseph-Dugas was built in Church Point in 1974.
The new consolidated school was announced in 2018.
Replacement school opens in Halifax
École Mer et Monde is opening at 3139 Oxford Street in Halifax.
The school will serve students from pre-primary to Grade 9 and has capacity for 700 students.
It replaces the previous École Mer et Monde on Atlantic Street.
The new site includes a child-care centre, theatre space, radio booth and community centre.
Education Minister Brendan Maguire says the school is “an important investment in French-language education” in Halifax.
He says Acadian and francophone students and families deserve welcoming, modern learning environments.
Racette says the new École Mer et Monde reflects the continued growth and vitality of French-language education in Halifax.
She says having a school where students can learn and experience their language and culture every day is essential to building a strong sense of belonging.
The replacement school was announced in 2021.
The province says the former Atlantic Street location was purchased to avoid disruption to the school community during construction.
