The $106.5 million New Westminster Secondary school (NWSS), one of the largest school capital projects in B.C.’s history, has opened its doors to students.

The new 1,900-seat school accommodates grade 9 to 12 students and 200 staff.  Designed to meet today’s standards for safety, accessibility and modern learning, the new school was built and designed by Graham Design-Builders LP with KMBR Architects Planners Inc.

The new school design takes its inspiration from the West Coast Style of architecture, but reimagined for the needs of today and beyond. The design optimizes the use of glazing, bathing the interior with natural light, providing an open and inviting environment, while the flexible learning spaces maximize collaboration and active learning. Technology is integrated to enrich the learning process, multi-purpose spaces and a contemporary visual. The project is seeking LEED Gold certification.

“Students deserve to learn in modern and inspiring learning environments, and I am so excited that will now be the case for secondary school students in New Westminster,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “This new school is so important for our community, and I know that families in New West are thrilled to have a new, state-of-the-art facility that will benefit students for generations to come.”

The original NWSS served the community since 1949. It will continue to be decommissioned and prepared for demolition, which will start by the end of the school year. The New Westminster School Board will lead the demolition project and has been working with the community and stakeholder groups to design a memorial passive park space that will take its place.

“Not only does this new school stand out because it’s the only secondary school in our district, but it will stand as a flagship school in this larger region and across this province for the innovative way collaboration has been designed into every hallway and every classroom. This school has been built to support cutting-edge teaching and learning, and that’s going to allow us to better prepare our students for the changing and modern world they’re walking into,” said Gurveen Dhaliwal, board chair at New Westminster Schools.

Budget 2020 ensures B.C.’s education system will have the highest school district operating and capital funding ever to support students.