FACE elementary students begin school year in new Montreal building | CityNews Montreal

On Thursday, students and staff at FACE Elementary School began the school year in a brand-new building in the Plateau, marking a major transition for the unique bilingual institution.

The new facility at 4835 Christophe-Colomb Ave. now houses both the English and French sectors of the school. The school day started at 7:45 a.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony around 9 a.m.

*FACE elementary school students begin their academic year at a new location on Aug. 28, 2025 in Montreal on Christophe-Colomb Ave. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)*

FACE high school to move in coming years

FACE is the only school in Montreal jointly operated by the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM).

*Families seen at FACE elementary school as students begin their academic year at a new location on Aug. 28, 2025 in Montreal on Christophe-Colomb Ave. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)*

While elementary students have now moved into the new building, high school students will remain at the original University Street location for several more years.

That building requires nearly $400 million in repairs, and a major rehabilitation project has been postponed indefinitely, according to the province’s education minister. Plans are in place to eventually relocate the high school to the former Sun Youth headquarters and the old Baron Byng High School on St-Urbain Street.

*FACE elementary school students begin the school year at a new location on Aug. 28, 2025 in Montreal on Christophe-Colomb Ave. (Adriana Gentile, CityNews)*

EMSB students return next week

EMSB Chair Joe Ortona and Commissioner Maria Corsi were on hand Thursday to greet staff and students at the new elementary school.

Across the EMSB network, students will officially return to class on Tuesday, Sept. 2.