Finding a School in Calgary

Regardless of where your child is in their learning journey, Calgary’s schools all offer quality learning and supportive environments where they can thrive.

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is the largest school district in Western Canada, and caters for the unique learning needs and interests of Calgary’s diverse population. CBE schools have inclusive education opportunities for all students, offering Special and Exceptional Education programs.

Although most CBE schools offer a regular program, no two schools are the same. All schools teach according to the Ministry of Education’s mandated curriculum, but some schools provide a unique focus to subjects, offer optional courses or school activities.

Every student in Calgary has a ‘designated school’ based on where they live – use CBE’s Find a School Tool to identify yours. 

Find a CBE school

Specialized programs may include French Immersion, a focus on arts or science, or internationally recognized programs including Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB). 

Explore CBE programs

The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) educates students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in the Ministry of Education curriculum while centered in the Catholic faith.

As one of the largest school districts in Alberta, CCSD has 117 schools in Calgary and surrounding areas including Airdrie, Cochrane, and Chestermere. Given it’s smaller, grades are often combined in CCSD schools into a mix of K-9 or 7-12. 

Find a school in the CCSD

Special programs include French Immersion, Spanish Bilingual, Hockey Canada Skills Academy and others are offered through the CCSD.

Explore CCSD programs

Alberta was the first province in Canada to establish charter schools. Although part of the public school system, charter schools in Calgary are operated independently under a performance contract approved by either the local board of education or by the Minister of Education.

All charter schools adhere to the Ministry of Education curriculum, but each school has a unique focus on a particular learning style, teaching style, approach or philosophy. Some charter schools offer traditional learning, girls-only programs, science and technology and gifted education programs.

Since each school has a unique focus, we suggest you explore the mission and vision of Calgary charter schools to understand the program offerings. Currently, the Calgary charter schools include:

• Calgary Classical Academy
• Almadina School Society
• Calgary Arts Academy Society
• Calgary Girls’ School Society
• Connect Charter School 
• Foundations for the Future Charter Academy
• STEM Innovation Academy 
• Westmount Charter School

Local tip:

If charter schools make sense for your family, make sure to get on the list to register early as there is often a waiting list. Due to the unique teaching approach in charter schools, it’s important to note that school fees are higher than regular public schools.

Registered private schools are not eligible for government funding. They are not required to use certificated teachers or teach the Alberta education curriculum, although programs of study must be consistent with the requirements for student learning established by the Minister of Education. These schools can not grant credit for high school courses taken at the school.

Non-funded accredited private schools must use certificated teachers, but are not or teach the Alberta education curriculum, although programs of study must be consistent with the requirements for student learning established by the Minister of Education. These schools are only an option for high school courses.

Funded accredited private schools receive a grant from the Alberta Ministry of Education. These schools must use certificated teachers, teach the Alberta education curriculum and have a principal who is a certificated teacher.

• Since registered private schools and non-funded accredited schools are not required to follow the Alberta Program of Study, a student may not necessarily be placed at the same grade level if the student registers in another school. 
• Funded accredited schools have the highest degree of accountability to Alberta Education. 
• Since students in registered private schools are not required to have certificated teachers or follow the Alberta Programs of study, students are not required to write provincial achievement tests (PATs), but must be given the opportunity to do so if requested. 
• Students in funded accredited private schools are required to write the PATs. 
• Accredited non-funded private schools only provide high school courses so students write diploma exams, but not PATs. 
• To ensure private schools are a great fit, families should learn about the school’s values, read the mission statement and speak with the principal and staff.

Parents considering private schools for their children should consider the type of private school, the school’s location, size, pupil-to-teacher ratio, tuition cost, academic focus and rigour, breadth of courses offered, specialized programs, values, transportation options as well as your children’s abilities and learning style.

Full list of Alberta’s private schools

Day care programs serve infants, pre-school and kindergarten aged children (two and a half to six years of age).

Pre-schools provide care and supervision for children for four hour in a row or less during the day.

Out-of-school care programs operate before and after school, during lunch hours and sometimes when schools are closed.

Family day homes offer care in a private residence. There are typically six or less children with one caregiver.

Group family child care programs offer care in a private residence. There are typically between seven and 10 children with two caregivers. These programs are suited for children aged 0-12 and offer care before, during or after school.

Children and Youth Services also offer subsidies to help lower income parents cover the costs of childcare. The subsidies are available for eligible low- and middle-income parents who wish to use a licensed preschool or childcare facility.