Kemptville Ontario – The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is pleased to announce that a new JK to Grade 8 elementary school will be built in Smiths Falls. After submitting a business case, the Ministry of Education has approved funding for the facility, which will replace the existing St. Francis de Sales and St. James Catholic Elementary Schools.

The proposed school plan includes a new 423 pupil place JK to Grade 8 school that will be constructed on the existing St. Luke Catholic High School site, located at 4 Ross Street. The existing students at St. Luke Catholic High School will be relocated to the current St. James Catholic School site, which will undergo renovations to accommodate the secondary program.

The new elementary school will also include a pre-school/toddler child care program, as well as a community support centre supported by Lanark County. The new school, including the pre-school/toddler childcare program and community support centre is planned to open in September 2018.

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario operates 40 elementary and 10 secondary schools across eight counties. The CDSBEO offers excellence in Catholic education through provincial-leading programs to approximately 12,800 students.