Alberta invests $100M to expand classroom complexity teams into junior and senior high
The province will add 221 new teams across K-12 schools, with 158 dedicated to grades 7-12, targeting rural and remote communities.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Alberta is investing $100 million to expand classroom complexity teams — specialized support units that respond to students with diverse academic, behavioural, social, emotional and mental health needs — into junior and senior high schools for the first time.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the commitment Monday at the McDougall Centre. Of the $100 million, $75 million will fund the new teams and $25 million will support teacher training, capacity building and expanded access to rural and remote areas.
The province will add 221 new complexity teams across K-12. That includes 158 teams for grades 7-12 and 63 for kindergarten to grade 6. Each junior and senior high team will consist of one teacher, one educational assistant and access to up to two specialized staff such as behaviour experts and social workers as needed.
The commitment builds on earlier actions. In February, the province announced 406 complexity teams serving students and teachers in complex learning environments. As of April 30, school boards reported 97 per cent of those teams are either fully or partially staffed.
Classroom complexity has been identified by Calgary school boards as one of the highest priorities in recent years. The Calgary Board of Education has deployed 118 complexity teams to schools this spring, while Calgary Catholic School District has added 53. The province is also hiring more than 1,600 teachers and 800 support staff across the education system as part of Budget 2026.
