Alberta private schools

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Private schools are a type of K-12 educational institution in the Canadian province of Alberta, which are overseen and funded by the Government of Alberta. Tuition limits are not set by the government, and private schools do not receive funding for transportation or optional charges such as uniform and specialized curriculum activities.

In the 2023–24 school year, approximately 45,477 students attended a private school, or around 5.68 per cent of the total student population.[1]

As of April 2024, there are 166 private school authorities in Alberta who operate a total of 222 schools.[2]

History[edit]

In 1946, the Social Credit Party government under the leadership of Ernest Manning recognized the creation of private schools with legislative changes to the provincial Education Act.[3] Lobbied heavily by religious and conservative groups - primarily Dutch neo-Calvinists in the Christian Action Foundation, the Societies for Christian Education, and the Association of Private Schools and Colleges in Alberta (APSCA) - the Government of Alberta began providing public funding to private schools in 1967, starting at $100 per student.[4] Further changes in 1974-76 under Peter Lougheed's Progressive Conservative government increased per-student funding to 33 per cent of what public schools received, then 40 per cent.[3]

Following the election of Ralph Klein in 1992, a notable difference in messaging and justification for private school funding emerged which centred on "parent choice". Klein's government soon introduced charter schools legislation, and in April 1997 a private member bill sponsored by PC MLA Carol Louise Haley and supported by then-provincial treasurer Stockwell Day, seeking a $14 million increase to annual funding of private schools, was brought forward.[3] Per-student funding was increased to 60 per cent of what public schools received by 1998, while the public school system saw wages cut for teachers, funding cuts, repealed education regulations, the centralization of school boards, and the elimination of taxation powers for schools to raise revenue on their own.

This situation was detested by workers in the education system and the public in general and pressure built gradually in the following years, eventually culminating in the 2002 Alberta teachers' strike. At its peak, 22,000 teachers out of a total 32,000 were on strike by February, affecting around 357,000 students out of a total 550,000.[5][6]

Following unsuccessful back to work orders in February, Minister of Learning and Education Lyle Oberg declared a public emergency.[5] The Klein government in collusion with the Alberta School Boards' Association agreed to pass Bill 12, the Education Services Settlement Act (ESSA) on March 14, 2002, in response to the strike, which was widely seen as a betrayal to teachers and an illegal and draconian piece of legislation.[7] The ESSA imposed a wage settlement arbitration process on teachers and made it nearly impossible to appeal this process or its results in court; gave the government permission to remove the right to strike or lockout; forbade teachers from engaging in slowdowns or diminishing their job duties; broadened the term 'strike' to include two or more teachers acting together to refuse to perform assigned responsibilities; and established severe penalties for any non-compliance.[6] Larry Booi, the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) President, responded to the legislation by stating "This is a black day for public education and for democracy in Alberta. This government has made a terrible decision, and we all shall have to live with the consequences".[7]

Though the strike ended, the private school system has grown in size and in funding under Progressive Conservative governments, which formed the provincial government continuously between 1971 and 2015. At the initiative of Ed Stelmach's government in 2008, per-student funding rose to 70 per cent of that received by public schools (equivalent to around $5,200 per student), and remains at this rate today.[4][3]

Private schools and private school authorities in Alberta[edit]

These are classified by the Government into 3 different types and 2 special designations:[8]

  • Registered private schools: registered under Section 29(1) of the Education Act;[9] must meet requirements outlined by the Act and in sections (2), (3), (4), (5), and (21) in the Private Schools Regulation.[10] They are ineligible for government funding and although not required to use certificated teachers or teach the Alberta curriculum, are required to maintain a list of subjects, skills, and knowledge areas.
  • Accredited private schools (non funded): registered under Section 29(2) of the Education Act; must meet the requirements of a registered private school and the additional Private Schools Regulation requirements under sections (6), (8), (9), and (10). They must use certificated teachers, but are not required to teach the Alberta curriculum.
  • Accredited funded private schools: funded by the government through the Education Grants Regulation; must meet additional Private Schools Regulation requirements under sections (7), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), and (20). They are required to use certificated teachers, must teach the Alberta curriculum, and must have a principal who is also a certificated teacher.
  • Designated special education private schools: funded by the government; given special approval and funding by the Minister of Education for the purpose of serving students identifying with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities, and must meet the additional requirements under section (11) of the Private Schools Regulation.
  • Heritage language schools: offers approved language and culture courses outside of regular school hours to students who already have basic education needs met at another school authority; if funding is granted, a principal must be a certificated teacher and audited financial statements are required.

As of April 2024, there are 166 private school authorities operating 222 schools in Alberta:[2]

Authority School City Grades Taught Additional Details
1620215 Alberta Ltd. Cochrane Valley Montessori School Cochrane K
Cochrane Valley Montessori School Cochrane 1-6
40-Mile Christian Education Society Cherry Coulee Christian Academy Bow Island K-12
Access International College (Calgary) Inc. Access Academy Calgary 7-12
Ahmadiyya Muslim Schools Society Alberta Ahmadiyya Muslim School Calgary K-9
Airdrie Christian Academy Society Airdrie Christian Academy Airdrie K-12
Al Mustafa Academy & Humanitarian Society Al-Mustafa Academy Edmonton K-12
Al-Mustafa North Location Edmonton K-9
Al-Zahra Islamic Research Foundation Al-Qaim International School Calgary K-9
AlBaqir Academy Association AlBaqir Academy Edmonton K-12
Alberta Chinese Cultural Education Society Alberta Heritage Language Edmonton 10-12
Alberta Chung Wah School Society Alberta Chung Wah School Calgary 10-12
Alberta Conference of 7th Day Adventist Church Chinook Winds Adventist Academy Calgary K-12
College Heights Christian School Lacombe K-12
Higher Ground Christian School Medicine Hat K-9
Mamawi Atosketan Native School Ponoka K-12
Peace Hills Adventist School Wetaskiwin K-9
Prairie Adventist Christian eSchool Lacombe K-12
South Side Christian School Medicine Hat K-9
Sylvan Meadow Adventist School Red Deer County K-9
Woodlands Adventist School Ponoka K-9
Alberta Interscience Association Russian Education Centre Edmonton 10-12
Arise Calgary Church Arise Christian Academy Calgary 1-12
Asasa Learning Asasa Academy Calgary K-6
Little Angels Calgary K
Atlas Learning Academy Ltd. Atlas Learning Academy Ltd. Airdrie K-9
Aurora Learning Foundation Aurora Learning Foundation Sherwood Park 1-12
Aurora Learning Foundation (Calgary) Aurora Learning Calgary Calgary 1-12
Banbury Crossroads School Banbury Crossroads School Calgary K-12
Bearspaw Christian School Society BCS@Home Calgary K-12
Bow Island Congregation, Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Sun Country Christian School Calgary n/a
Buffalo Head Mennonite School Society Neuanlage School Buffalo Head Prairie n/a
Ostland School Buffalo Head Prairie n/a
Rosenfeld School Buffalo Head Prairie n/a
Vastland School Buffalo Head Prairie n/a
Calgary Academy Society Calgary Academy Collegiate Calgary K-12
Calgary Changemakers in Education Society Calgary Changemakers School Calgary K-9
Calgary Chinese Alliance School Society Calgary Chinese Alliance School Calgary 10-12
Calgary French & International School Society Calgary French & International School Calgary K-12
Calgary German Language School Society Calgary German Language School Society Calgary 7-12
Calgary International Academy Ltd. Calgary International Academy Calgary 1-6
Calgary International Academy ECS Calgary K
Calgary Mandarin School Association Calgary Mandarin School Calgary 10-12
Calgary Quest Children's Society Calgary Quest School Calgary 1-12
Calgary Waldorf School Society Calgary Waldorf School Calgary K-9
Calvin Christian School Society of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations Calvin Christian School Coalhurst K-12
Canadian Collegiate Institute Canadian Collegiate Institute Edmonton n/a
Canadian Polish Language and Culture Parent Association Polish Sienkiewicz School Edmonton 10-12
Canadian Reformed School Society of Edmonton Parkland Immanuel Christian School Edmonton K-12
Canadian Reformed School Society of Neerlandia Covenant Canadian Reformed School County of Barrhead No. 11 K-12
Capstone Engineering Academy Capstone Engineering Academy Calgary 1-12
Central Alberta Christian High School Society Central Alberta Christian High School Lacombe 10-12
Centro Linguistico E Culturale Italiano Calgary Italian School of Calgary Calgary 7-12
Chinese Cultural Promotion Society (CCPS) The Chinese Cultural Promotion Society Edmonton 10-12
Chiniki Community College Chiniki Community College Mînî Thnî 10-12
Church of God in Christ Mennonite Hilltop Christian School Fort Vermilion 1-9
Church of God in Christ Mennonite Pembina Valley Congregation Pembina Valley Christian School Westlock 1-9
Church of God in Christ Mennonite Rosedale Congregation Rosedale Christian School Crooked Creek n/a
Clear Water Academy Foundation Clear Water Academy Calgary K-12
Cleardale Mennonite School Society Cleardale Mennonite School Cleardale 1-9
Worsely Mennonite School Cleardale 1-6
Coaldale Canadian Reformed School Society Coaldale Christian School Coaldale K-12
Columbia College Calgary Columbia College Calgary 10-12
Congregation House of Jacob-Mikveh Israel Akiva Academy Calgary K-9
Countryside Christian School Countryside Christian School Edberg K-9
Creekside Creative Academy Creekside Creative Academy Red Deer K-9
Delta West Academy Society Delta West Academy Calgary K-12
Destiny Christian School Society Destiny Christian School Society Red Deer County K-9
Devon Christian School Society Devon Christian School Devon K-9
Duchess Bethel Mennonite School Duchess Bethel Mennonite School Duchess n/a
E2 Society for Twice-Exceptional Learners E2 Academy Edmonton K-12
Eastside City Church and Missionary Society Eastside Christian Academy Calgary K-12
Echo Valley Church of God in Christ Mennonite Echo Valley Christian School Bluffton n/a
Edison School Society Edison School Foothills K-12
Edmonton Academy Society for Learning Disabled Edmonton Academy Edmonton 1-12
Edmonton Bible Heritage Christian School & College Society Edmonton Bible Heritage Christian School Edmonton n/a
Edmonton Islamic School Society Edmonton Islamic Academy Edmonton K-12
Edmonton Khalsa School Educational Association Edmonton Khalsa School Edmonton K-6
Education Unlimited Network Education Unlimited Academy Kingman K-12
Elves Special Needs Society Elves Adult & Youth Centre Edmonton K-12
Elves Child Development Centre Edmonton K
First Steps Elementary Academy First Steps Elementary Academy Red Deer K-6
Foothills Academy Society Foothills Academy Calgary 1-12
Footprints for Learning Society Footprints for Learning Society Airdrie K-12
Footprints for Learning Academy (West Side Campus) Airdrie n/a
Fort McMurray Montessori Foundation Hillcrest Montessori Academy Fort McMurray K-6
GCA Education Society Glenmore Christian Academy Junior High Calgary 1-9
Genesis Protestant Reformed School Society of Lacombe Genesis Protestant Reformed School Clive n/a
German Language School Society of Edmonton German Language School Society of Edmonton Devon n/a
Gil Vicente Edmonton Portuguese School Society Gil Vicente School Edmonton n/a
Gobind Marg Charitable Trust Association Gobind Sarvar School Edmonton K-6
Gobind Marg Charitable Trust Foundation Gobind Sarvar School Guru Nanak Gate Campus Calgary 1-12
Gobind Sarvar School Calgary K-6
Greek Orthodox Community of Edmonton and District Society St. George's Hellenic Language School Edmonton n/a
Headway School Society of Alberta Headway School Society of Alberta Edmonton K-12
Hellenic Academia Institute Hellenic Academia Institute Edmonton n/a
Hellenic Society of Calgary and District Greek Community School Calgary 10-12
Hellenic-Canadian Community of Edmonton and Region Hellenic-Canadian Community of Edmonton and Region Edmonton n/a
High Level Christian Education Society High Level Christian Academy High Level K-9
Hillcrest Christian School Society Hillcrest Christian School Grande Prairie K-12
Horizon Academy Institute Horizon Heritage Arabic School Calgary 10-12
Ignite Alberta Institute for Learning Ignite Centre for eLearning Edmonton K-12
Independent Baptist Christian Education Society Harvest Baptist Academy Spruce Grove K-12
Independent School Authority Ltd. Summit West Independent School Okotoks K-12
Inner City Youth Development Association Inner City High School Edmonton 10-12
Janus Academy Society Janus Academy Calgary 1-9
Janus Academy Junior/Senior High School Calgary 1-12
Khalsa School Calgary Educational Foundation Khalsa School Calgary Educational Foundation Conrich K-9
Kneehill Christian School Kneehill Christian School Linden 1-9
Koinonia Christian School - Red Deer Society Emmaus Learning Community - DSEPS Red Deer 1-12
Koinonia Christian School (Red Deer) Red Deer K-12
Koinonia @ Home Red Deer K-12
Lady Fatima Academy Lady Fatima Academy Calgary K-6
Lakeland Christian School Society Lakeland Christian Academy Cold Lake K-12
Peace Christian Academy Grimshaw K-12
Lakeland Church of God in Christ (Mennonite) of Dewberry Lakeland Country School Dewberry n/a
Lakeview Christian School Lakeview Christian School Stettler 1-9
Legacies Academy Foundation Legacies Academy High River K-6
Lighthouse Christian School Society Lighthouse Christian School Sylvan Lake K-12
Living Springs Mennonite Church of Hythe Living Springs Christian School Hythe n/a
Living Truth Christian School Society Living Truth Christian School Mirror K-12
Living Waters Christian Academy Living Waters Christian Academy Spruce Grove K-12
Lycee Louis Pasteur Society Lycee Louis Pasteur Calgary K-12
Maria Montessori Education Centre of Calgary, Ltd. Maria Montessori School Calgary K-9
Maria Montessori School - cSPACE King Edward Location Calgary K
Maskwachees Cultural College Foundation Maskwachees Cultural School Maskwacis 10-12
Meadows Christian Education Society Meadows Christian Academy Edmonton K-9
Montessori School of Calgary Montessori School of Calgary Calgary K-6
Mountain View Academy Society Mountain View Academy Calgary K-12
Muslim Association of Canada MAC Islamic School Edmonton K-12
MAC Islamic School - Calgary Chapter Calgary K-9
MAC Islamic School Southside Campus n/a n/a
Nebula Foundation Nebula Academy Edmonton K-9
Neriah Christian School Society of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation Neriah Christian School Calgary 1-9
New Heights School and Learning Services Society New Heights School and Learning Services Calgary K-12
Newell Christian School Society Newell Christian School Brooks K-9
North Point School for Boys North Point School Calgary 1-12
North Point School for Boys Calgary K-9
North Point School - DSEPS Calgary 1-12
Northern Lights School Education Foundation Northern Lights School Spirit River 1-9
Olds Mountain View Christian School Association Olds Mountain View Christian School Olds K-12
Parkland Community Living and Supports Society Parkland School Special Education Red Deer 1-12
Peace Mennonite School Peace Mennonite School La Crete n/a
Philippine Cultural Center Foundation (Calgary) Filipino Language and Cultural School of Calgary Calgary n/a
Phoenix Education Foundation Phoenix Education Foundation Calgary K-12
Pincher Creek Meadow Valley Ministry Meadow Valley Christian Academy Pincher Creek n/a
Ponoka Christian School Society Ponoka Christian School Ponoka K-9
Progressive Academy Education Society Progressive Academy Edmonton K-12
Providence Christian School Society Providence Christian School Monarch K-12
Red Crow Community College Red Crow Community College Cardston 10-12
Renfrew Educational Services Society Renfrew Educational Services - Bowness Centre Calgary K
Renfrew Educational Services - Child Development Centre Calgary K
Renfrew Educational Services - Janice McTighe Centre Calgary K-9
Renfrew Educational Services - Park Place Centre Calgary n/a
Renfrew Thomas W. Buchanan Centre Calgary K-9
River Valley School Society River Valley School ECS Calgary K
Rocky View Mennonite Church Rockyview Christian School Pincher Creek n/a
RTD Math Academy Ltd. RTD Math Academy Red Deer 7-12
Rundle College Society Rundle Studio Calgary 7-12
Saddle Lake Indian Full Gospel School Mission Sawenegezhik Academy Saddle Lake n/a
SCcyber E-Learning Community SCcyber E-Learning Community Calgary 10-12
SCcyber E-Learning Institute Calgary 10-12
School of East Indian Languages and Performing Arts of Calgary School of East Indian Languages and Performing Arts Calgary n/a
Slave Lake Koinonia Christian School Society Slave Lake Christian Academy Slave Lake K-9
Solomon College Solomon College Edmonton 10-12
Sreekumar Education Foundation Canadian International Private School Edmonton n/a
St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church of Stony Plain, Alberta St. Matthew Lutheran Christian Academy Stony Plain K-9
Stirling Mennonite Church Day School Stirling Mennonite Day School Raymond n/a
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School Strathcona-Tweedsmuir Online Okotoks 7-12
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School Okotoks K-12
Swedish Society of Calgary Swedish Language School Calgary 7-9
Tanbridge Academy Tanbridge Academy Calgary K-9
Tempo School Tempo School Edmonton K-12
The Alberta Ballet Company Alberta Ballet School Calgary 7-12
The Calgary Chinese Public School Society Calgary Chinese Private School Calgary 10-12
The Calgary Jewish Academy Calgary Jewish Academy Calgary K-9
The Canadian Montessori School Ltd. Canadian Montessori School Calgary K-6
Canadian Montessori School North Calgary K
Canadian Montessori School West Calgary K
The Canadian Reformed School Society of Calgary Tyndale Christian School Calgary K-12
The Chinese Academy Foundation The Chinese Academy Calgary 10-12
The Cornerstone Christian Academy of Camrose Cornerstone Christian Academy Kingman K-12
The Dante Alighieri Society Dante Alighieri Italian School Edmonton n/a
The Edge School for Athletes Society Edge School Calgary 1-12
The Father's House Christian Fellowship - Sturgeon County The Father's House Christian School Morinville K-12
The Filipino Canadian Saranay Association of Alberta Filipino Language & Cultural School Edmonton K-12
The Gilbertine Institute of Catholic Studies Holy House of Our Lady and St. Benedict Edmonton 1-9
The Gilbertine Academy Calgary K-12
Villa Spiritus Derwent 10-12
The Heart Valley Church of God in Christ Mennonite Heart Valley Christian School Wanham n/a
The Lacombe Christian School Society Lacombe Christian School Lacombe K-9
The Old Sun Society Old Sun Community College Siksika 146 10-12
The Renert School Foundation Renert School Calgary K-12
The Rimbey Christian School Society Rimbey Christian School Rimbey K-9
The Society of Ukrainian Studies of Alberta Ivan Franko Ukrainian School Edmonton 7-12
Third Academy International Ltd. LYNX East Bragg Creek K-9
LYNX West Calgary K-9
The Third Academy Rocky View County 1-6
Third Academy Calgary South Rocky View County 7-12
URSA Calgary K-12
Tween Valley Fellowship/Tween Valley Christian School Tween Valley Christian School Taber K-12
Unlimited Potential Community Services Society Bright Bank Academy Edmonton 1-9
Columbus Academy Edmonton 1-12
Phoenix Academy Edmonton 7-12
Thomas More Academy Edmonton 1-12
Waldorf Education Society of Edmonton Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton Edmonton K-9
Webber Academy Foundation Webber Academy Calgary K-12
West Island College Society of Alberta West Island College Calgary 7-12
Wilson Prairie Mennonite School Society Blumenort Mennonite School La Crete n/a
Tompkins Mennonite School La Crete n/a
Wilson Prairie Mennonite School La Crete n/a
Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School Society Yellowhead Koinonia Christian School Edson K-12
Yufeng Chinese School Centre Yufeng Chinese School Calgary 1-12

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Student population statistics | Alberta.ca". www.alberta.ca. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  2. ^ a b "Alberta Schools and Authorities". education.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  3. ^ a b c d "A drain on the public purse — the history of private schooling in Alberta". Alberta Teachers Association. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  4. ^ a b Winton, Sue; Staples, Steven (8 February 2022). "Shifting Meanings: The Struggle Over Public Funding of Private Schools in Alberta, Canada". Education Policy Analysis Archives. 30 (15): 1–17. doi:10.14507/epaa.30.7002.
  5. ^ a b "End strike, Alberta tells teachers". The Globe and Mail. 2002-02-22. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  6. ^ a b Nettleton, Winston (2014). Teachers on the March: The 2002 Strike (PDF). Edmonton: The Alberta Teachers' Association. ISBN 978-1-927074-18-3.
  7. ^ a b "Alberta Government Bans Teachers Right to Strike". www.labournet.net. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  8. ^ "Private schools | Alberta.ca". www.alberta.ca. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  9. ^ "Education Act - Open Government". open.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  10. ^ "Private Schools Regulation - Open Government". open.alberta.ca. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
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