Ontario is investing $1.3 billion to build 30 new schools and 15 school expansions across the province, creating more than 25,000 new student spaces.

This will also add more than 1,600 new licensed child care spaces.

The 45 projects were selected after reviewing school boards’ submissions through the 2024-25 capital priorities program, and address current and critical space needs in communities where alternative options are limited, as well as access to French-language education.

For the 2024-25 school year, the ministry of education has already allocated renewal funding of about $1.4 billion to school boards to improve existing schools.

The increased capital priorities funding is intended to address growth related to demographic changes and housing development in local communities.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to building new schools in communities across our province.,” said Kathleen Woodcock, president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association. “This investment will give many families greater access to modern learning environments that provide students with the best opportunity to thrive and succeed.”