Get the latest information about the rebuilding of École Whitehorse Elementary School.
Work is underway to address aging Whitehorse schools. As part of this work, École Whitehorse Elementary School will be replaced with a modern facility. It will meet the needs of the community for years to come. The design will focus on providing flexible, multi-use spaces.
On October 1, 2026, the Government of Yukon announced that Valleyview, the unsurveyed lot across from the Canada Games Centre, was selected as the preferred location for the new École Whitehorse Elementary School.
Of the 3 potential sites, Valleyview received the highest overall score in a detailed assessment. The assessment considered:
- cost;
- public and school community input;
- project schedule;
- transportation;
- neighbourhood impacts; and
- the needs of students and staff.
The Valleyview site provides access to nearby natural areas and recreation facilities. It will also allow students and staff to remain at the current school while the new school is built.
What We Heard report
Public engagement for this project is now complete. In spring 2026, we asked Yukoners to share their thoughts on 3 potential locations for the new school:
- the current downtown site;
- a lot at Kopper King (Lot 435); and
- an unsurveyed lot near the Canada Games Centre.
More than 2,200 parents, students, staff and community members shared their feedback through an online survey and public meetings.
We have published a What We Heard report that summarizes all the feedback we received.
Key findings from the report
- Students, staff and the ÉWES School Council strongly prefer the site near the Canada Games Centre. They highlighted its excellent access to nature and recreation spaces.
- The current downtown site was the top choice for online survey respondents, receiving 42.8 per cent of the votes. The site near the Canada Games Centre was the second most popular choice, with 35.3 per cent of the votes.
We will:
• apply to the City of Whitehorse for an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning of the Valleyview site;
• complete detailed site, traffic, environmental and geotechnical work;
• begin planning and design work;
• seek funding through a future budget process; and
• keep the school community, nearby residents and other partners informed as the project moves forward.
The Kopper King site will also move through rezoning as a backup in case the City of Whitehorse does not approve the changes required for Valleyview.
Construction can begin only after the required approvals, site investigations, design and funding decisions are complete.
École Whitehorse Elementary ranked as the highest priority for a school replacement. View the rankings of all Whitehorse schools.
A wide range of factors were considered in this ranking, including the:
- age and condition of the building;
- available space for additional students; and
- suitability for modern learning programs.
The new school designs focus on:
- flexible, multi-use spaces that emphasize collaborative learning;
- integration of technology;
- integration of Yukon First Nations culture and learning;
- using natural materials and creating spaces that support the integration of Yukon First Nations language and culture;
- connections to the outdoors;
- good acoustics, focusing on learning spaces that are adjacent; and
- student inclusivity.
The new school designs also focus on:
- daylighting – the concept of using natural light in learning spaces;
- using natural materials and creating spaces that support the integration of Yukon First Nations language and culture;
- connections to the outdoors;
- good acoustics, focusing on learning spaces that are adjacent to one another; and
- student inclusivity.