The new north-end school in Saint John, N.B. is set to also include a community hub, combining Hazen White St. Francis School and Centennial School into one facility that can accommodate nearly 522 students. The hub will provide child-care spaces, after-school programs, and spaces for community partners to offer services. Education Minister Bill Hogan expressed excitement about how the hub will address emotional and social needs for both children and their families in the community. However, the project has been delayed, pushing the opening date back to September 2027. The original cost of the school project was expected to be $41.69 million, but with the addition of the community hub, the total investment from the department has increased to over $53 million.
The delays in the construction of the new school have not been clearly explained by Hogan. Despite the setbacks, the growing student population in the area makes the new education facility necessary. The superintendent of the anglophone south school district, Derek O’Brien, expressed that the new school will help with future expansion and address the increasing numbers of students in the area. Currently, there is already a small area in the existing schools where on-the-ground organizations work with students and families. The new hubs in the consolidated school will be modeled after this setup, providing a central location for all necessary services.
The parent support committee chair for Centennial School, Stephanie McGarrigle, highlighted the importance of having all services located in one central area. Currently, parents may have to travel to different locations across the city to access programs for their children, which can be inconvenient. Having a community hub within the new school will bring the communities together and streamline access to essential services for families. The new school project is seen as a positive development by those involved in supporting the educational needs of students and families in the area.
The integration of a community hub within the new school aligns with a broader trend in education towards providing holistic support for students and families. By offering child-care spaces, after-school programs, and services from community partners, the school will cater to the emotional and social needs of students beyond just academic learning. The project reflects a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all members of the community. Despite the delays in construction, the new school with a community hub is anticipated to be a valuable resource for families in Saint John, N.B.
The investment of over $53 million in the new school project demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing quality education and support services for students and families in Saint John, N.B. The delay in construction may have been unexpected, but the growing student population in the area makes the new school a necessary addition to the community. The central location of the community hub within the school will make it easier for families to access essential services and programs, streamlining the process for students and parents. Overall, the new north-end school with a community hub is expected to have a positive impact on the educational experience and well-being of students and families in Saint John, N.B.
