Students at Handsworth Secondary in North Vancouver will soon be learning in a new, modern and seismically safe school.                          

“Students deserve to feel safe at school – that’s why we acted fast to invest in a new Handsworth Secondary,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “With construction now beginning, students and families are one step closer to having a modern learning facility that will serve the community for generations to come.”

The replacement of Handsworth Secondary is the result of up to a $68.7-million investment from the Government of B.C. The new school will feature flexible learning spaces with room for 1,400 students – a 200-seat increase from the current facility.

“With the new Argyle Secondary set to open in September, and a new Handsworth Secondary on the way, thousands of North Vancouver students will soon be learning in the safe, engaging and inspiring classrooms they deserve,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale. “There’s still more to do for the students of North Vancouver and I’m glad we’re making real progress on it.”

Handsworth students, educators and families can expect their new school to be ready by September 2022.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide our students, staff and community with a brand-new secondary school, which will consist of a modern design and flexible spaces that will support innovative teaching and learning methods for the future,” said Christie Sacré, chair, North Vancouver Board of Education. “The North Vancouver Board of Education has worked hard in partnership with the Ministry of Education to bring this project to fruition and we are elated that it upholds our school district’s vision for providing seismically safe and innovative facilities that will enhance our students’ learning experience well into the 21st century.”

Replacing and expanding Handsworth Secondary is part of government’s work to ensure every B.C. student is in a seismically safe facility as soon as possible.

Since September 2017, the Province has announced over $935 million for seismic upgrades or replacements at 41 schools, creating nearly 25,000 safe student seats. This includes $92.4 million in North Vancouver, where upgrades are also underway at Mountainside Secondary.

To keep this momentum going, Budget 2020 provides a record $925 million over three years to continue accelerating the Seismic Mitigation Program, providing thousands more students with a safe place to learn.