Centre de services scolaire
de Montréal

MelanieDusseault-1082

Development plan for the transitional elementary school

The FACE transitional elementary school will be located at 4835 Christophe-Colomb Avenue. Students are expected to start attending this school in 2024-2025.

Located in the Plateau Mont-Royal, this building, which was once home to Cardinal Newman High School, will be completely renovated back into an educational building by the CSSDM in the coming months.

The architectural concept will be a harmonious blend between restored heritage elements and a modern style. You can see pictures from the project at the bottom of this page. 

The future transitional elementary school consists of two connected wings. Wing A is the original building that was built in 1910. It was expanded in 1957 with the construction of a new pavilion (Wing B). 

The transitional elementary school is 1.9 km from the transitional secondary school

Overview of the development plans

The building has 4 above-ground levels and a basement. It will have 6 kindergarten classes, 24 general education classes, as well as a number of special-purpose rooms.

Educational stations that will serve as a library and other facilities will be set up on each level to maximize the use of space.

Daycare service will be provided directly in each classroom or based on the orientations set out by the school’s administration.

Below you will find detailed plans for each floor and the courtyard. 

Basement

  • Electromechanical services
  • Storage room for music equipment

Level 1 (first floor)

  • Student entrance
  • Music classes
  • Drama space with dressing rooms

Level 2

  • General education classes
  • Art classes
  • Double gymnasium
  • Administrative offices

Level 3

  • General education classes
  • Administrative offices

Level 4

  • General education classes
  • Offices for non-teaching staff

Courtyard layout

  • Motor skills course
  • Playground climber trail
  • Outdoor classroom
  • Different activity areas such as an active play area, a relaxation area, coloured playground markings, a multi-sports field, and basketball hoops.
  • The site will also be greened with the planting of trees and vegetation.

Building upgrades and accessibility

Once the rehabilitation work is done, the building will have:

  • A mechanical ventilation system that will cool and dehumidify fresh air throughout the school
  • An elevator and universal access ramps
  • Seismic rehabilitation and upgrades of the emergency exits to standard
  • A new building envelope (masonry, doors, windows and roof)
  • Complete interior refurbishment

Project pictures

The sketches and inspiration photos below may change as the work progresses.

Full presentation of the school

To view the complete presentation by Anne Dussud, architect and project manager with the CSSDM’s Material Resources Department, click here.