As the new school year begins, six new schools costing approximately $183 million will open their doors for the very first time today.

The five new replacement schools in established neighbourhoods - and the one new school in a rapidly growing area of Langley - can accommodate up to 4,515 K-12 students.

New school:

• Lynn Fripps Elementary - 510 students - $13M (Langley)

New replacement schools:

• Begbie View Elementary - 330 students - $15M (Revelstoke)
• Abbotsford Senior Secondary - 1,100 students - $44M (Abbotsford)
• Carson Graham Secondary - 1,100 students - $38M (North Vancouver)
• Alberni District Secondary - 1,000 students - $58M (Port Alberni)
• Yarrow Community school - 475 students - $15M (Chilliwack)

Over the past year, the B.C. government has committed $353 million in funding for new-school and school expansion projects as announced by Premier Christy Clark in October 2011. As well, since May 2012, more than $122 million has also been committed as part of government's seismic mitigation program to provide structural upgrades at 14 high-priority schools.

Quick Facts:

• The September estimated full-time public school enrolment for the 2012-13 school year is 534,691, compared to 540,696 for the September 2011 estimate (6,005 fewer students).
• Estimated operating funding to school districts is a record $4.725 billion this year. The average per-pupil funding for 2012-13 is now an estimated $8,493, up 36 per cent since 2000-01.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has spent more than $2.1 billion to complete 93 new and replacement schools, 150 additions, 27 renovations and 22 site acquisitions, and has committed more than $4 billion on school capital and maintenance projects throughout British Columbia.

Learn More:

Education by the Numbers information bulletin:

http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2012/08/education-by-the-numbers-1.html

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963 (MEDIA line)