Groundbreaking ceremony held for proposed $80 million Edmonton Islamic Academy's new elementary campus
Excitement and anticipation filled the air on Monday as the Edmonton Islamic Academy (EIA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new, expansive elementary school campus. The $80 million project is being hailed as the largest faith-based educational development in Canada and aims to address the academy's burgeoning waitlist, which currently exceeds 1,500 children.
The new campus, situated near the existing EIA facilities, will have the capacity to accommodate over 1,600 students from Grades 1 to 6. This significant expansion comes in response to the rapidly growing Muslim community in Edmonton, which has made the city an increasingly attractive destination for Muslim families settling in Canada.
"Because we do have a well-established Muslim community here, Edmonton has become an attraction or a destination for Muslim families that are settling in Canada, which means that demand is only getting higher, just within the last two years," explained Noor Al-Henedy of Al Rashid Mosque, to CTV News. She further noted the academy's near 100% re-enrollment rate and the continuous growth of the waiting list.
The ambitious project is being primarily funded through community donations, with the Al Rashid mosque reporting that almost $20 million has been raised so far. The EIA is also exploring potential support from the province's school construction accelerator program, deeming the project a "strong candidate."
The new elementary campus is designed with a focus on both faith-based and 21st-century learning. Plans include dedicated prayer rooms and Wudu areas to integrate Islamic faith into daily learning and foster Islamic character development. The state-of-the-art facility will also feature grade-specific learning communities, central spaces, Arabic and Islamic centers, and a comprehensive learning resource center to support literacy, numeracy, and STEM education.
The architectural design of the school will blend classic Islamic techniques with modern educational design, incorporating elements inspired by global Islamic structures, including gardens and geometry, with spaces oriented towards Makkah. The campus will also boast top-notch gyms, a playground, and sports fields to support students' physical and personal growth.
School officials anticipate the new elementary campus will open in the fall of 2027. This expansion is not only crucial for meeting the immediate demand for Islamic education in Edmonton but is also seen as a way to alleviate pressure on the city's public and Catholic school systems by serving the specific needs of the Muslim community.
"Meeting the demand for a secure environment offering Islamic and academic education is of utmost importance for our children within the Muslim community," stated the EIA. "Providing a nurturing environment aligned with Islamic principles is essential for our children's development and future."2
The Edmonton Islamic Academy has a long-standing history in the city, established in 1987. It has grown to serve over 1,800 students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 and is recognized for its strong academic standing within the province. The development of this new elementary campus marks a significant milestone in the academy's commitment to providing high-quality, faith-based education to Edmonton's growing Muslim population.