New Westminster School District 40 International Education Program

New Westminster Schools is growing!

As a growth District, we’re working as hard as we can to build schools that will support the kids we currently have enrolled, while also making strategic choices when it comes to projected growth as well. And we’re proud to be building schools in a way that will enable us to lead into the future by creating spaces that will foster innovation, collaboration and take advantage of updated curriculum guidelines and teaching theories.

Now, here are the top projects we have on the go …

Skwo:wech Elementary (previously Richard McBride) Replacement Project

In the Spring of 2020 we broke ground on the new Skwo:wech Elementary! The replacement school will feature open spaces and a design that’s intended to support revised and modern curriculum needs. And, in addition, it will also feature a significant expansion to the child care centre with new infant and toddler spaces opening up to better support local families.

Current Phase: Final construction phase

Phase highlights: Crews are busy doing interior finishing like drywall, HVAC systems, electrical and more! Expect to see regrading of the upper playground area coming soon.

Anticipated Completion: Fall 2021

Additional notes: None at the moment. The playground has already been moved and the building is continuing on schedule.

Most recent community update: https://newwestschools.ca/skwowech-build-update/

Check out this preview below from some tours we took through June and July!

The new New Westminster Secondary School

We are excitedly nearing the end of our New Westminster Secondary School Replacement Project – a $106.5 million, state-of-the-art new home for one of British Columbia’s largest high schools!

Our new NWSS space will accommodate 1,900 grade 9 to 12 students in a 21st century learning environment … meeting today’s standards for modern learning, safety and accessibility, while incorporating the latest sustainable energy management systems.

Current Phase: New school is open!

Phase highlights:The old school is continuing to be decommissioned and moved toward the demolition phase.

Anticipated Completion: Move in was completed over Winter break, 2020. Demolition of the old school to start before the end of the school year.

Additional notes: Stay tuned for more on ways you can get a glimpse at the new school, and for opportunities to say farewell to the old school before it is removed.

Want a peak? Watch our “Welcome Home” tour here:

Queen Elizabeth Elementary School addition

In March of 2020 we were excited to share the news that the Province of British Columbia has given formal support to our top capital expansion project in New Westminster: an addition to Queen Elizabeth Elementary School! This much needed expansion paves the way for many additional classrooms to serve the fast-growing community of Queensborough.

Current Phase: Concept Plan and Project Definition Report

Phase highlights: our architectural lead is working with teams of quantity surveyors, mechanical and structural engineers, and more to help build the Concept Plan and the Project Definition Report – the final step required to give us the go-ahead needed to secure provincial funding.

Anticipated Completion: Not yet approved for funding or build

Minor Capital Projects

Funding for minor capital projects (those to occur between April 2020 and March 2021), will/has covered: a roof replacement at Herbert Spencer Elementary, a roof replacement and flooring upgrades at Glenbrook Middle, and mechanical upgrades to air circulation systems at Connaught Heights Elementary and FW Howay Elementary.

And, in case you haven’t seen it yet: there’s a brand new playground at Queen Elizabeth Elementary, on Queensborough Landing, for students to enjoy this coming year! (Just remember to wash your hands before and after playing there, keep your distance and follow all the appropriate COVID-19 related etiquette.)