Jennie Emery Elementary School is located in the southeast area of Coaldale known as Eastview. The planning stage began in 1990, 2.5 years prior to construction. The school was designed by Mr. Alvin Fritz of Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc. The process used to develop the school represents community based planning involving parents, educators, support staff, community groups and Town of Coaldale officials. Penn-Co Construction was awarded the general contract and construction began in October 1992. The school was completed in February 1994.
On February 9, 1993, the Board of Education endorsed the naming of the school in honor of a highly respected, long serving County of Lethbridge teacher; Mrs. Jennie Emery. Her contributions to education have been recognized by the Coaldale community through the naming of the new elementary school.
The building is 4,823 square metres (45,000 square feet) in size and was constructed at a cost of $4,573,000. An additional $618,000 was invested in site development, $310,000 on furniture and equipment, and $422,000 for other costs incurred. The school is capable of housing up to 500 students and currently serving a kindergarten to grade four student population
Financial Support from the Town of Coaldale provided opportunity to develop special features to serve a wide variety of community uses. Generous and dedicated efforts by the Coaldale Elementary Fund Raising Society contributed to the commercial grade kitchen and playground equipment.