Visiting Alberta's diverse range of schools
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 4, 20 June 2025, page no 24.
In Queensland, the QTU exclusively represents members from state schools. This is not the case in Alberta, Canada.
In Alberta, if you are a teacher employed by a public, separate or francophone school board, you are required to be an active member of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA). Other teachers may join as associate members. Alberta’s Teaching Profession Act makes membership in the ATA automatic upon employment as a teacher in the public education system. This meant that the QTU delegation visited a very diverse range of schools.
Here are some key takeaways:
- The focus on explicitly teaching, modelling, and supporting wellbeing was a feature of every school we visited in Canada — schools were warm, calm, and nurturing learning spaces.
- Due to the cold, all school facilities are indoors, providing a controlled environment for students throughout the year.
- Unlike schools in Queensland, schools in Alberta appear to have more freedom within their curriculum. This flexibility allows for a greater immersion in learning concepts, enabling teachers to be creative and incorporate art and technology into their lessons without the pressure of adhering to a strict timeline. Teachers reported that this freedom enhances the learning experience and allows for more engaging and dynamic lessons.
- While all schools have an annual operational plan, this was not a primary focus during the visits. While there is an Alberta Curriculum, there appeared to be limited alignment between schools, with a lack of systematic focus on curriculum, outcomes, moderation, and resourcing. Schools do not collaborate within clusters and are selective in their interactions with other schools.
- Behaviour across all schools visited was very positive, although schools reported that maintaining this standard is becoming increasingly challenging. Occupational violence did not appear to be a concern, indicating a generally safe and supportive environment for both students and staff.
- A strong focus on First Nations policy was evident across all schools. This emphasis reflects a commitment to inclusivity and the recognition of the cultural heritage of First Nations communities within the educational framework. This focus is an important aspect of the Alberta education system and contributes to a more inclusive learning environment.
- In Alberta, all learning materials are provided to students, minimising the financial burden on families. The primary costs for families are related to school buses (which are compulsory), some meals, and field trips (excursions), making education more accessible to all students.
- The physical environment was optimised to foster positive learning and school culture. The display of student work in schools was prevalent, owing to the vast area of internal wall space the schools have in comparison to Australian schools. Many of the classrooms used warm lighting in contrast to stark white, fluorescent lights. This seemed to have a calming impact on students and reduced the risk of overstimulation of individual students.
School visits
Centennial High School in Calgary is a dynamic, inclusive school for students from Years 10 to 12, with approximately 1,760 enrolments. The school offers the traditional core academic programs in mathematics, science, English, and social studies, alongside a range of elective courses, including vocational. Known for its strong leadership program, Centennial encourages students to develop leadership skills through various activities, from organising school-wide wellbeing and fundraising events, to running the school’s Instagram account. The school values the student voice and involvement, with leadership students actively contributing to school culture and events. The leadership program is a cornerstone of the strong community connection, which can be seen and felt as you walk the halls of the school.
Centennial’s philosophy is represented by a three-legged stool model: while core classes form the seat, the three legs — athletics, arts, and leadership — support the full student experience. This model emphasises a balanced, well-rounded education in which students are encouraged to engage academically, creatively, and through leadership, preparing them for life beyond high school.
Renert School in Calgary is a private K-12 institution established in 2013 by brothers Aaron and Moshe Renert. The QTU delegation had the opportunity to learn about the school’s philosophy and operations with founder and head of curriculum, Moshe Renert. He discussed every aspect of the school with an unwavering passion driven by his belief that all students can succeed if their days are filled with meaning. Drawing on the philosophies of Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner, the school emphasises the importance of student choice in education. All students have a highly personalised education journey that sees them progress at their own pace. Moshe mentioned that many of the students are given the opportunity to advance beyond their age limits in their areas of strength, which entails going beyond the mandated Alberta School Curriculum.
While it was somewhat difficult to find parallels between Renert School and our Queensland state schools, particularly with the selective enrolment process, something that really stood out was the importance of nurturing and positive relationships between staff and their students. It was evident that the students of Renert School felt supported by their teachers to express themselves, think critically, and take risks in their learning.
Glenmore Christian Academy is a state-funded faith-based K-9 school of approximately 1,000 students. Resourcing for Alberta schools look a little different from our Australian environments, as funding for faith-based non-state schools is provided by the state/province on a flat base per-capita funding model, enabling the school to charge limited fees up to $5,000 to support the Christian education element of the school’s program, and a one-off facility fee of up to $2,000 on enrolment to support the development of the college.
At Glenmore, children in Year 6 and beyond are extended in a weekly personal development, critical thinking and logic class that aims to explicitly teach courage and compassion, with a view to them contributing positively to society.
St. Francis of Assisi Academy serves around 600 students from kindergarten to Grade 9. The school features a beautiful atrium and library, providing a supportive environment for learning and growth. As part of the Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools, faith is at the heart of everything St. Francis of Assisi Academy does. The school is deeply committed to academic excellence and promoting a healthy school environment, with their three pillars being Faith, Academic Excellence, and Healthy Schools. The school prides itself on its integration of research-based universal mental health strategies throughout the school day to support all students. These strategies are incorporated into regular classroom instruction and interactions. They include goal-setting, anxiety management, and techniques for regulating the mind and body. Staff wellbeing was also a strong focus of the school.
Collingwood School is part of the Calgary Board of Education, and the student cohort is K-5. All schools teach according to Alberta Education’s mandated curriculum; however, a school’s focus, optional courses and school activities are as unique as every school. Collingwood School is an International Spanish Academy. It provides students with opportunities to acquire and maintain language skills in Spanish and English and develop global citizenship through rich intercultural encounters.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings are used as a moral stepping stone and cultural foundation in many Indigenous communities from coast to coast. At the Collingwood School, they have integrated the seven animals and their teachings into their learning throughout the year to develop students’ understanding of resiliency through the lens of Courage, Respect, Honesty, Love, Humility, Wisdom, and Truth teachings. The Collingwood School demonstrated a strong positive and nurturing school culture with a warm and inviting environment and positive student agency in leading wellbeing across the school.
The QTU will be providing a more comprehensive report for members who wish to access more detail of the school visits in Calgary.
