Students at Iron Ridge Secondary Campus in Blackfalds, Alberta, are preparing for the school’s first-ever graduation ceremony in the spring of 2026. This event marks a major milestone for the community, as it is the first time a local graduating class will complete their high school education without leaving town.
The high school officially opened its doors in September 2024 to provide a local option for students. The 2025-2026 school year was the first year that Grade 12 students were enrolled at the campus, which made this upcoming graduation possible.
Before the school opened, students in Blackfalds typically had to travel to other communities to attend high school. The building was designed to hold between 850 and 950 students in grades 9 through 12, ensuring that families can keep their children in local schools through their senior years.
According to Wolf Creek Public Schools, the graduation ceremony is a significant moment for the school division. The project to build the campus involved years of work to create a dedicated space for the town’s growing population of young people.
