A recent compilation by La Presse journalist Valérie Simard shows that 164 primary and secondary schools on Montreal Island sit within urban heat‑island zones, representing roughly one‑third of all schools on the island. These locations expose a significant share of the city’s youth to elevated temperatures during heat waves.
Urban heat islands form in densely built neighborhoods where extensive pavement and a scarcity of trees raise local temperatures above surrounding areas. The microclimates created by this built environment mean that schools in these zones experience hotter indoor and outdoor conditions than those in greener parts of the city.
The presence of heat islands intensifies the impact of extreme heat events on students and staff. Higher ambient temperatures can increase the need for cooling, strain school facilities, and affect comfort and concentration levels. The data indicate that the concentration of schools in these hotter pockets may deepen existing social and health inequities, as communities with fewer green spaces often overlap with lower‑income neighborhoods.
Montreal Island’s overall school network now includes a clear pattern: one in three schools are situated where the built environment amplifies heat. This proportion underscores the scale of the challenge for municipal planners and education authorities who must consider climate‑responsive strategies, such as expanding tree cover, installing shading devices, or improving ventilation in affected schools.
The findings arrive as climate scientists warn that heat‑wave frequency and intensity are likely to rise in the coming decades. Recognizing the extent of schools located in urban heat islands provides a basis for targeted interventions aimed at protecting students and reducing the disparity created by uneven exposure to rising temperatures.