Ground-breaking ceremony held for new Caledon East Public School 

School will accommodate up to 650 students

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon East will have a new public school in time for the 2026-2027 school year. 

On December 19, a ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction on a new public school in Caledon East. 

The existing Caledon East Public School was built in 1971 and expanded in 1998 to accommodate 254 students. As Caledon East has grown, the school can no longer accommodate the area's growing population. 

In response to Caledon East's growth, the Ministry of Education awarded the Peel District School Board (PDSB) with $32.4 million to construct a new school that can accommodate up to 650 students. 

The new school will have a four-room childcare centre, creating 73 licensed child care spaces for infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children. The school will also feature six dedicated kindergarten rooms to support early learners. 

The new Caledon East Public School will be built by Quad Pro Construction based on designs from MG Architects. Construction is scheduled to be complete by June 2026.

The old Caledon East Public School will be demolished in July and August of 2026, and the new school will open its doors in September of that year. 

PDSB Chair David Green said he's deeply grateful to the Ministry of Education for the funding for a new school in Caledon East.

“Education is the cornerstone of progress and this new school will be an environment where students, teachers, support staff and community will be inspired every day,” said Green. 

Caledon's PDSB Trustee Stan Cameron said the new school is a tremendous investment and marks a pivotal moment for Caledon East. 

“It's not just about classrooms; it's about creating a space where families can connect, children can thrive, and the entire community can feel supported,” said Cameron. “The replacement building not only addresses the needs of our growing community but also sets the standard for modern, sustainable educational spaces — a win for students, families, and staff alike.”

Rashmi Swarup, the PDSB's Director of Education, said the school will nurture the future of the Caledon East community.

“With modern learning spaces and a dedicated childcare centre, the new Caledon East Public School will be a first-rate learning environment that will inspire both students and families,” said Swarup. 

Ontario Minister of Education Jill Dunlop said families in growing parts of Ontario need to have access to modern schools close to home. 

“Our government is proud to deliver the largest one-year investment in new schools in Ontario history and I'm excited to work with all our partners in education to support these vital infrastructure projects,” said Dunlop. 

Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones echoed Dunlop's sentiment. 

“Our government is investing over $32 million to get shovels in the ground on the new Caledon East Public School to meet the needs of local families in this growing community. By increasing the number of students accommodated from 254 to up to 650, we are ensuring students and staff can thrive in a new, state-of-the-art school for years to come,” said Jones.