Whistle Bend Elementary School, the first new elementary school to be built in Whitehorse in more than 20 years, will welcome students in August 2024 for the 2024-25 school year.

The kindergarten-to-Grade 7 school is designed for up to 425 students in Whitehorse.

Planning work for the opening continues, and families living in the school’s attendance area can now confirm their enrolment interest with an online form.

The attendance area includes Whistle Bend and the area north of the softball fields in Takhini.

Families living in this area have three options for enrolment, the Department of Education said Tuesday afternoon.

The choices are based on where their children are enrolled for the upcoming 2023-24 school year and what grade their children will enter when the new school opens

For students entering Grades 1 through 7 in August 2024, the enrolment options are:

• new enrolment at Whistle Bend Elementary School;

• continuing enrolment in a French immersion program, Catholic education program or a school operated by a school board (Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon or First Nation School Board); and

• for students entering Grades 6 and 7 in August 2024, continuing enrolment at their 2023-24 school until they enter secondary school.

Students with more than one home address are expected to attend a school located in the attendance area for their primary home address.

For students starting kindergarten at Whistle Bend Elementary in August 2024, the registration process is the same as for all kindergarten programs.

Education Minister Jeanie McLean said she is “very pleased and excited” about the school’s opening next year.

“As we prepare for this education milestone, understanding where families plan to have their children attend school is important today so we can plan and prepare to best support student learning,” she said.

“This is much more than a new building; this is a meaningful investment in our children’s futures for the years to come.”

A key piece in helping the department support student learning is having families confirm their enrolment interest before Sept. 30, 2023.

The enrolment interest form can be submitted by email, mail or dropped off in person at 1000 Lewes Blvd.

Construction by the Ketza Construction Corp., a Yukon company with more than 50 years of construction experience, began in late 2021.

Designed by Kobayashi + Zedda Architects (KZA), a Whitehorse-based architecture and planning firm, the school incorporates modern educational practices and technology to prepare students for their futures.

On Sept. 11, 2022, five candidates were elected to form the Whistle Bend Elementary School Council. As school planning continues, council members will engage with their community to reflect local priorities, values and expectations.

The long-term name for the school has not yet been determined.

Once the school opens, the school council plans to work with the student body, families and staff to choose a name that reflects the values of the school community.