Education and Schools in Calgary

If you’re relocating to Calgary with children of school-going age, you’ll be delighted to find that your children will have access to high-quality education at an affordable cost. The Alberta education system benefits from extensive government funding, and schools in Calgary rank as some of the best in the province.

Public schools in Calgary

Most children in Canada attend public schools, thanks to the excellent standard of education and guaranteed free attendance for all children, including those of permanent residents.

Alberta’s public schools offer a standardised curriculum. In recent years, Alberta’s curriculum has evolved to include significant digital integration, focusing on equipping students with essential skills for a tech-driven world. These schools have an exceptional reputation, focusing not only on book learning but also offering extracurricular activities and field trips. There are a wide variety of after-school programmes available. These include sports teams, music and arts, science clubs, and leadership initiatives.

In almost all cases, school placements will depend on your child’s residential location – schools will only accept a child from a different catchment area if they have space.

If you want to enrol your children in one of Calgary’s public schools, you should schedule an appointment with the public school board’s admission office. Following a brief interview, students will be tested on their language and numeracy skills and placed in a grade based on their results and age. It’s recommended to bring a copy of your child’s curriculum from their previous school to provide context about their educational background.

Catholic schools

The other major government-funded education system in the city is the Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District. Religious education is integral to the Catholic school curriculum in Calgary. The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) aims to develop students’ knowledge, beliefs, and values within the Catholic Faith Community, fostering an environment of faith, love, and justice. The quality of education in Catholic and public systems is largely comparable.

To enrol your child in a Catholic school, at least one of the parents should be a practising Roman Catholic, although non-Catholic students may be admitted when space allows. The CCSD gives priority to Catholic families within the catchment area, so it’s a good idea to check eligibility requirements on the CCSD website.

Useful links

• Calgary Board of Education (CBE)
• Alberta K-12 Education System
• Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD)

Private and international schools in Calgary

A small minority of children in Calgary attend private schools. Although these private schools enjoy a strong reputation, the quality of education at public schools is often of an equally high standard. The tuition fees for these institutions (which include international and charter schools) can be pretty expensive, reflecting the cost of maintaining high standards, specialised programmes, and smaller class sizes.

While Calgary doesn’t have international schools that follow a foreign curriculum, many reputable Canadian private schools in Calgary offer the International Baccalaureate programme. This internationally recognised qualification can be a significant advantage for globally mobile families.

Useful links

• CBE Information on Private Schools
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization
• Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS)

Tertiary education in Calgary

There are some excellent tertiary education options if you’re moving to Calgary. Despite being a relatively small institution, the University of Calgary is fast gaining a reputation as an exceptional research and interdisciplinary academy. The University of Calgary is known for its entrepreneurial focus, offering strong programmes in business, energy, and health sciences.

Located in Edmonton, approximately three hours by car from Calgary, the University of Alberta is particularly well known for its health sciences faculty and consistently ranks as one of Canada’s premier tertiary education institutions.

Useful links

• University of Calgary
• University of Alberta

Special-needs education in Calgary

The Calgary Board of Education is committed to educating students with diverse learning needs in the most inclusive settings possible. Inclusive education practices have emphasised integrating students with diverse learning needs into mainstream classrooms. The CBE has adopted a range of supports and services tailored to individual student requirements, including personalised programme planning and specialised teams that assist in addressing unique learning styles.

Collaboration is facilitated through Individual Program Plans (IPPs), developed with input from parents, teachers, and specialists to align educational strategies with the student’s unique needs and family expectations. Parents are provided with resources and workshops to help them effectively support their child’s learning experiences.

Several resources and specialised support programmes have been developed to assist students with specific disabilities. For example, the Learning Disabilities and ADHD Network, operated through Foothills Academy, provides guidance for figuring out services in the Calgary region. Behaviour support programmes like the Bridges Program offer school-based support for children with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, involving mental health therapists in classroom settings.

Following collaborative discussions between the school learning team and your family, The Board offers various complementary opportunities and specialised means of learning for students with physical, mental, and learning disabilities. These include students who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, and those with learning, emotional, or medical needs; giftedness; learning disabilities; and mental health issues.

Useful links

• CBE Supports for Students with Special Needs
• CCSD Specialized Programs
• Foothills Academy
• Inclusion Alberta
• Alberta Inclusive Education

Tutors in Calgary

Many parents in Calgary, both locals and expats, opt to employ tutors for their children. You may find that your child’s school and other parents can be a good starting point for finding private tutors.

For expat families, tutors are great for helping children adjust to a new curriculum, learn a new language, assist in specific subjects, or prepare for university entrance exams. Tutoring has also become popular for children needing extra help with digital skills or specific academic areas. 

The tutoring scene in Calgary has shifted significantly towards online sessions in recent years. Combining both online and in-person sessions, hybrid models have also emerged to cater to various learning styles and preferences. The Calgary Tutoring Centre and My Tutor are both reputable tutoring companies in the city, and there are many other independent tutors who can provide personalised assistance to help your child succeed.

Although private tutors in Calgary are not required to have specific certifications, it is advisable to verify their qualifications and experience, such as relevant teaching experience or subject-specific expertise, to ensure quality instruction for your child.

Useful links

• Calgary Tutoring Centre
• My Tutor Calgary
• Sylvan Learning Calgary
• Kumon Math and Reading Centre Calgary