Rocky View Schools names new high school in Langdon

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Rocky View Schools board of trustees, on Feb. 15, approved Horseshoe Crossing High School as the name for Langdon’s new school currently under construction.

“That came from the work of an ad hoc naming committee that included members of the community; we included a student or two, as well as some staff from Rocky View Schools in the local area,” said Fiona Gilbert, board chair for Rocky View Schools. “The committee got together and did some work and put forward two names for the consideration of the board, and the board made the final decision on Horseshoe Crossing High School.”

The new high school was announced in 2019. Since then, the Government of Alberta has been working with the P3 consortium (Public Private Partnership) getting the facility ready to accept students.

Efforts to name the school began shortly before Christmas 2023, with the naming committee putting out a call to the local community for suggestions around names.

“I think it speaks to the area. The Langdon community has historically been known as the ‘good luck town,’ and we know a horseshoe is a symbol of good luck,” said Gilbert. “It also speaks to the rural nature of the students and the community who will be attending there … and there is a lot of rich equestrian heritage there … so it is pulling all of those themes together.”

Upon its opening, Horseshoe Crossing school will be open to students from Grades 9-11, with Grade 12 students being welcomed in the following year.

This is done to give students an opportunity to settle into the new school prior to beginning their final year of public education.

Rocky View Schools is anticipating a student population of 350 attending Horseshoe Crossing High School later this year, growing to 450 next year as Grade 12 students join. 

The service area of the school extends from Highway 566 west of Kathyrn, south to the Bow River, including Delacour, as well as extending laterally from Janet to Inverlake and Dalemead. 

“(Horseshoe Crossing High School) is relieving pressure from Chestermere High School. Chestermere is over capacity at this current time,” said Gilbert. 

She added Horseshoe Crossing has an anticipated initial capacity of roughly 1,000 students, with space available to potentially add modular classrooms to the building should it become necessary.

Horseshoe Crossing High School is aiming to begin accepting students for September this year. More information about the school is available through Rocky View Schools.