calgary-education-options-part-1-kids-classroom.pngAs a parent, your child’s education is understandably one of your biggest priorities when choosing a new home. Every community Broadview Homes builds in offers different education options ranging from public and charter schools to private and Catholic schools. In many cases, the community will already have nearby schools serving the neighbourhood or there will be new schools already planned to be built there in the near future.

Here’s a look at your education options for a few of our Calgary and area communities. If you want to see what other areas have to offer, don’t worry – there will be another post where we cover even more schooling options!

Understanding Your Education Options

There are four broad types of schools in Alberta: public, charter, private, and Catholic schools.

Alberta is currently the only Canadian province with charter schools, which are not-for-profit institutions that receive public funding like public schools and similarly do not charge tuition. Charter schools are autonomous public schools designed to offer enhanced learning programs and meet the needs of a specific group of students. These schools usually have a wait list.

There are also about 100 accredited and funded private schools throughout Alberta. About 6% of students across Canada attend private schools, which receive some outside funding.

The province also offers several separate Catholic schools that receive public funding.

Rancher’s Rise in Okotoks

The community of Ranchers’ Rise is located within Okotoks Air Ranch, the first private air park in Canada, about 30 minutes outside of Calgary.

Foothills School Division

Public school students in Okotoks are served by the Foothills School Division. There are six schools within the Foothills division in Okotoks, including several that offer both English and French immersion.

calgary-education-options-part-1-kids-drawing.pngFrench and English immersion schools include Ecole Percy Pegler School (K-6), Ecole Okotoks Junior High School (7-9), and Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composition High School (10-12). All three schools help students gain proficiency in both of Canada’s official languages.

The Foothills School Division’s Transportation Office operates nearly 70 bus routes that serve Okotoks and High River.

Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools

Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division serves Okotoks students in grades K through 12 with the Good Shepherd School (K-6), John Paul II Collegiate (7-9), and the Holy Trinity Academy (10-12). This school division contracts school bus service through Southland Transportation and serves the Okotoks community.

Edison Private School

Edison School is an accredited private school near Okotoks with three schools: a Lower School program focusing on early childhood development, a Middle School program that bridges the gap to higher education, and an Upper School program.

Harmony in Springbank

The Harmony community in Springbank offers beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains with a 140-acre lake and a world-class golf course. This Calgary community is served by public schools, private schools, and Catholic schools.

Rocky View School Division

Public schools in Springbank are operated by Rocky View Schools. Public school students can attend Elbow Valley Elementary School (K-4), Springbank Middle School (5-8), and Springbank Community High School (9-12), which is located in the Springbank Park For All Seasons.

Private Schools

There are four private schools serving Harmony: Edge School for Athletes, Rundle College, Rundle Academy and Webber Academy.

Edge School for Athletes balances the responsibilities of school with your kids’ passion for sports. Rundle College is a private school for Preschool through Grade 12. Rundle Academy offers an academic program for 4-12 grade students with learning disabilities. Webber Academy is a non-denominational preparatory school that serves junior kindergarten through Grade 12.

Calgary Catholic School District

The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) educates more than 55,000 students throughout Calgary, with six schools serving Springbank in particular:

  • John W. Costello Catholic School (K-6)
  • Holy Name School (K-6) French Immersion
  • St. Michael School (K-9) with early and late French Immersion
  • St. Gregory School (6-9) for special needs children
  • Bishop Carroll High School (10-12)
  • St Mary’s High School (10-12)

Regardless of which community you choose, you will have your choice of several types of top-rated Calgary schools to give your child the best possible education. If you have any questions about the education options in any of the other communities we build in, please feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to answer. Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon!

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Photo credit: classroom, drawing kids
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