On June 15 from 5-7 p.m., students in Building Futures Airdrie will hold an exhibition of learning at 480/484 Reynolds Avenue. The students will showcase projects inside the house they built with McKee Homes. This year’s exhibition of learning has added significance as the program celebrates its 10th anniversary.

“RVS is grateful for 10 years of partnership with McKee Homes and the positive impact they have had in the lives of hundreds of our high school students,” said Superintendent of Schools, Greg Luterbach. “We are incredibly proud of the success of Building Futures and excited to celebrate this milestone with McKee Homes, their contractors, RVS students and staff and the community.”

 “This innovative program is one of many ways we encourage students to take ownership of their learning and have educational experiences that matter to them.”

Building Futures is a full-year academic program for Grade 10 students offered in partnership with homebuilders McKee Homes in Airdrie and Kingsmith Builders in Cochrane. In addition to their learning in subjects like math, science, social studies and English, students work together to construct a house. Through this program, they engage in hands-on learning guided by tradespeople associated with residential home building.

“This is a great opportunity for students who want to experience what learning can look like outside the traditional classroom,” said RVS Community Learning Centre Principal, Greg Rankin, who was instrumental in establishing Building Futures Airdrie in 2013. “While completing their core curriculum, students also feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the year when they look at the home they have helped build from the ground up. We’ve had the privilege of seeing ten cohorts pass through the program, and we look forward to many more.”

A key part of the success of Building Futures Airdrie has been the support and investment by local homebuilding McKee Homes, which has championed this project since its launch.

“In the past decade, McKee Homes has worked alongside RVS to share our knowledge and pride in crafting homes with students through the Building Futures Airdrie program,” said Project Manager Sheri McAllister. “This program is a two-way street – youth discover construction and business skills, community leadership and career opportunities, while our trades, suppliers and staff get to learn from each new group of students as every year has offered fresh opportunities and unique challenges.”

“Since 2013 we have strived to teach McKee qualities to each of the students and teachers. We are continually pushing the limits and have been proud of the success of this program. We look forward to another year of Building Futures in 2023/24!"

On June 14 from 5-7 p.m., Building Futures Cochrane will also hold an exhibition of learning at the house students constructed with Kingsmith Builders at 66 Rivercrest Common. The Cochrane program was launched one year after the Airdrie program.

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