A new Moncton school is being named after Northrop Frye, the city's celebrated local author and literary critic.

Education Minister Roland Haché announced the name for the city's new north-end school on Tuesday morning.

"When it comes to [the final] three names, then the minister decides which name it will be. But I think there is a vast majority of people in this area that certainly will appreciate that this school is now named ... the Northrup Frye School," Haché said.

About 40 names were submitted to a search committee. That group winnowed the list down to three names that were submitted to Haché for a final decision.

Danielle LeBlanc, the executive director of the Northrop Frye Literary Festival, said she is thrilled by the choice.

LeBlanc said the school's name helps to promote Frye's philosophy of imagination, education, and developing a love of reading and writing.

January opening

School district officials say construction is on track for the Northrop Frye School's scheduled January opening.

Aubrey Kirkpatrick, a spokesperson with School District 2, said they may even get the keys a little early to facilitate the moving in of equipment, furniture and supplies.

"If we do happen to get it a little bit early, maybe even a month, it does allow us to make sure that furniture is in and make sure that classes are set up properly and so on," Kirkpatrick said.

"Otherwise we are going to be right up against it over the Christmas holidays and all of that to get the school ready for January."

Students will stay at their current schools when school starts in September, until the January opening.