In parts one and two of our Calgary Education Options series, we explore the fabulously family-friendly neighbourhoods of Rancher’s Rise in Okotoks, Harmony in Springbank, Kinniburgh in Chestermere and Redstone in the city’s northeast. This time, we’d like to tell you about two other great Calgary-area communities and the diverse range of schooling opportunities they can offer your family.
Evanston
Located in the north-west corner of Calgary, Evanston is home to beautiful prairie views, friendly neighbours and nearly every amenity you can think of. The latter is especially important for growing families as, when choosing a new community to call home, you’ll want to have a variety of schools available. Here’s what you can look forward to when it comes to educational options in Evanston.
Public Schools
Those with younger children will have access to the brand-new, onsite Kenneth D. Taylor School. Situated in the heart of Evanston, this K-4 school emphasizes study time, reading and parental involvement.
Other elementary options include North Haven School and Cambrian Heights School (both K-6), just 15 minutes south off Northmount Drive. Meanwhile, Nose Creek, A.E. Bowers and R.J. Hawkey Elementary schools in Airdrie are a short (and direct) 20-minute drive north on Hwy 2.
Older children will have easy access to Muriel Clayton K-8 school (Airdrie) as well as Ecole Airdrie Middle School. Georges P. Vanier, in Calgary’s Mount Pleasant area, covers grades 7-9 and provides both French immersion and regular English programming. Vanier is also close to the James Fowler High School, which includes grades 10-12 and offers advanced placement programs as well as arts-centred learning.
Catholic Schools
Our Lady Grace School is also exclusive to Evanston and provides faith-based education for K-9 kids. St. Helena School (also Catholic based K-9), is accessible in under 15 minutes, while Madeleine d’Houet provides early and late French immersion for grades 7-9 (20 minutes, straight down 14th street).
Other elementary school options include St. Bede and St. Pius X School, with St. Pius offering a K-6 French immersion program. High schoolers can attend Notre Dame High (known for its partnership with the Canadian Hockey Skills Academy) as well as St. Martin de Porres High School in Airdrie.
Private Schools
While there are no private schools in Evanston proper, you’ll still have your pick when it comes to the ideal educational environment for your child.
Zebra Crossing and Mosaic Montessori schools are both just ten minutes away, hosting children aged 3-6 years, while River Valley K-6 school provides further Montessori-based education to older elementary aged kids. Airdrie’s Atlas Learning Academy is also an accredited private school for K-8 aged children and is in partnership with AISCA (Association of Independent Schools and Colleges In Alberta) and MPH-Maximum Performance Hockey.
Christina based high school choices include The Renert School in Bearspaw as well as Airdrie Koinonia Christian – both K-12. Westmount Charter K-12 School and the Calgary French and International School (Pre-K-12). Each school is reachable in under half an hour with some bus routes available.
For more info on charter and private schools, check out the helpful LifeinCalgary website.
Boulder Creek Estates in Langdon
Boulder Creek is a scenic estate community in Langdon, just 30 minutes east of downtown Calgary. This outdoor-friendly neighbourhood boasts a pleasant, small town feel, yet provides access to all the big city amenities.
In addition to shops, restaurants and entertainment, you’ll also have several great schools to choose from, as overseen by the Rocky View School District. This includes educational opportunities in the nearby City of Chestermere, less than 15 minutes away.
With all these available choices, there’s no doubt Boulder Creek is the perfect family-friendly neighbourhood to call home.
Public Schools
If you’re leaning towards public school learning and want to keep the kids close to home, Sarah Thompson is a K-5 established in the town of Langdon itself. You can also consider Langdon School, which hosts grades K-9.
Other elementary choices for this area are Rainbow Creek and Prairie Waters schools in Chestermere, while East Lake School offers French immersion K-7 as well as English K-9 (also in Chestermere). If it’s more convenient, you can also consider Indus K-9 school, which is ten minutes south-west in the town of Indus.
Chestermere Lake Middle School and Chestermere High School will serve grades 6-9 and 10-12 respectively, both are 15 minutes away and provide bus services.
Faith-based Schools
Boulder Creek Estates also provides access to great faith-based learning opportunities. Parents of elementary school-aged kids can send them 14 minutes north-west to Our Lady of Wisdom in Chestermere, or to Sacred Heart Academy, 20 minutes east in Strathmore.
Religious learning is also available for junior and high-school aged kids through St. Gabriel the Archangel School, also just a short drive into Chestermere. Families of Lutheran-based faiths can send their children to the Prince of Peace Lutheran School, accommodating kids in grades K-9, located 20 minutes away in south-east Calgary.
Private Schools
Last but not least, private educational opportunities await at the Delta West Academy, a 30-minute drive, straight into Calgary on Hwy 16. Delta boasts a 10:1 student to teacher ratio and places a strong emphasis on real-life relationships and academic excellence.
Parents can also consider West Island College, a K-12 preparatory school offering bilingual learning, community service initiatives and small classroom sizes. West Island is also just 30 minutes away and easily accessed by Glenmore Trail.
Whew! With all the great options listed above, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find a great school for your child in either Evanston or Boulder Creek. If you’re interested in settling down in one of these A+ neighbourhoods, be sure to talk to your builder about even further education options that may be available – they’ll be happy to “teach” you!
{{cta(‘c824ad1c-b90c-4a11-b142-cf9683d03ef4′,’justifycenter’)}}
