Holy Trinity Academy Expands with New Modular Classrooms

Holy Trinity Academy is set to enhance its educational facilities with the addition of three modular classrooms, addressing a significant need for more space. The decision comes after the school experienced a dramatic increase in student enrollment over the past several years. According to Kirk Nelson, the vice principal of Holy Trinity Academy, the institution has been operating over capacity, prompting the need for creative solutions to accommodate classes.

The advocacy for additional space began in 2022 when Nelson and his colleagues approached the St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic School Division about their pressing needs. Now, three years later, groundwork is underway to prepare for the modular classrooms, which will extend the current hall to the west. “Currently, they are doing the groundwork and the utility tie-ins,” Nelson stated. The new facilities will include additional lockers, washrooms, and two or three classrooms, which are essential for easing the current congestion.

Holy Trinity Academy has seen its enrollment nearly double over the past seven years. In 2018, the school had 137 students, but the current enrollment stands at 303 students. This surge has forced the school to utilize creative spaces, with classes being held in unconventional locations, such as on the stage in the front entry. Nelson expressed gratitude for the upcoming portables, acknowledging that they will significantly improve the learning environment. “We can see that over the next couple of years we will probably have a little more growth,” he remarked.

Despite the new modular classrooms, Nelson indicated that space would still be limited. “At least it’s feasible,” he noted. “We can actually operate without having to run classes out of the foods lab and the stage area.” The increase in enrollment may be linked to rising immigration numbers in 2023, which has resulted in a greater demand for educational facilities.

While the school does not currently plan to request additional modular units, Nelson is hopeful that the success of the new classrooms will prompt the school division to consider further expansions in the future. The addition of these classrooms is a critical step toward ensuring that Holy Trinity Academy can continue to provide quality education in a growing environment.