Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

With over 12,000 students across its population, the Centre de services scolaire de la Vallée-des-Tisserands (CSSVT) is growing too quickly for its available space.

CSSVT director general Suzie Vranderick has confirmed that the $57.6-million expansion project to accomodate up to 700 new students at École Baie-Saint-François is ongoing, while the government has announced the construction of two new elementary schools within the service centre’s territory.

The groundbreaking ceremony to start construction on a new school in the Grande-Île sector in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield took place on August 23. The future facility will accommodate 576 students and will feature 24 classrooms, including six preschool classes and 18 regular classes. The school will also contain a double gymnasium, a multipurpose room with a pedagogical kitchen, as well as a learning hub, collaborative spaces, and an art and music room.

The provincial government will invest $34.3 million to build the school, which should be ready to welcome staff and students for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The construction of a second elementary school in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield was confirmed by the Ministère de l’Éducation on August 21. The new 17-classroom elementary school will be built on the grounds of the École Frédéric-Girard school in the city’s La Baie sector.

The school will feature three kindergarten classrooms, 12 regular classrooms, and two special education rooms.

“Thanks to this new building, our school community will have the chance to explore and develop in an innovative educational environment and in stimulating spaces that reflect the trend of new-generation schools,” said Vranderick.

“A magnificent future continues to unfold for our artisans, our youth, and our professional community,” she added.