School system options

You and your children can choose from a wide range of education options, including public schools, Catholic schools, francophone schools, private schools and charter schools. You can also access innovative home education, online/virtual schools, outreach programs and alternative programs. Parents can also choose to “home school” their children.

Most children attend public, separate, francophone or charter schools that are part of the public education system. Following are some basic features of different kinds of schools:

Public schools provide basic, universal education.

Most single-sex or separate schools are Roman Catholic schools. In some areas of the province, they are Protestant schools. These schools provide basic education for Roman Catholic or Protestant students.

If your first language is French and you would like your children educated in French language, you can enroll them in francophone schools.

Charter schools offer more choice in education programs, teaching methods or learning environments than may be offered in the regular school system. Charter schools follow the Alberta Programs of Study and students are required to write provincial achievement tests and Grade 12 Diploma Exams.

These schools are funded in part through taxes homeowners must pay to local governments and provincial government revenues, soyou do not have to pay tuition fees. However, you may have to pay fees for things such as transportation, textbook rentals or art supplies. Some of those fees are paid when the child registers as a student.

For families who do not have enough money, school districts have an appeal process with which you can request that they do not have to pay the fees.

If you choose to educate your children at home, you may do so entirely or in part as long as you meet the requirements of the School Act and home education regulation.

If you choose to send your child to a private school, you will have to pay some or all of the costs. Before registering your child in a private school, it is important to find out what the costs will be and if students in the school will earn credits toward an Alberta High School Diploma. Private schools set their own standards for enrolment, often based on following a belief in a particular religious faith or educational philosophy.

Date Updated: Oct 27, 2010
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