Some French students in Nova Scotia will be walking into brand new buildings when they return to school this week. The new École Mer et Monde in Halifax and École Baie Sainte-Marie in Saulnierville will open their doors to students on Friday. Most Nova Scotia students are heading back to school on Thursday, but school staff at the new French schools are being given an extra day to set up their classrooms and familiarize themselves with the new facilities. Both schools are part of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP). École Mer et Monde École Mer et Monde will serve about 700 Acadian and francophone students from pre-primary to Grade 9. “The new École Mer et Monde reflects the continued growth and vitality of French-language education in Halifax,” said Diane Racette, chair of the CSAP. “For our students, having a school where they can learn, connect and experience their language and culture every day is essential to building a strong sense of belonging.” The modern building on Oxford Street replaces the previous school on Atlantic Street. The new site also includes a child-care centre, theatre space, radio booth and community centre. “Acadian and Francophone students and families deserve welcoming, modern learning environments,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brendan Maguire in a statement Wednesday. “École Mer et Monde will be a place where students can learn, grow and build strong connections to their community.” The replacement École Mer et Monde was first announced in 2021. The Nova Scotia government purchased the Atlantic Street location, which was once home to the Halifax Grammar School, in 2021 so students wouldn’t be disrupted while the new school was constructed. An official opening will be held at École Mer et Monde this fall. École Baie Sainte-Marie Students and staff from École Joseph-Dugas and École Stella-Maris will now attend École Baie Sainte-Marie. The new CSAP school in Saulnierville will serve Acadian and francophone students from pre-primary to Grade 6. It also includes a child-care centre and community centre. “This is an exciting new chapter for French-language education in the Clare region,” said Ryan Robicheau, MLA for Clare, on behalf of Maguire. “Generations of students have learned at Joseph-Dugas, Stella-Maris, Saint Albert, and Jean-Marie Gay and now we have a new school where the next generation will learn, build friendships and celebrate their Acadian identity and culture.” École Stella-Maris was built in Meteghan in 1965, while École Joseph-Dugas was built in Church Point in 1974. The new consolidated school was announced in 2018. École Saint Albert in Rivière aux Saumons and École Jean-Marie Gay in Saulnierville closed several years ago. The École Jean-Marie Gay site is now the site of École Baie Sainte-Marie. “The opening of École Baie Sainte-Marie is an important moment for the CSAP and, most importantly, for the students and families we serve,” said Racette. “A modern school designed to meet the needs of today’s learners creates new opportunities for students to thrive in French, both academically and personally.” An official opening will be held at École Baie Sainte-Marie this fall. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
