Your Guide To The Best Edmonton Schools
Wherever you choose to live in Edmonton, you’ll have a wide variety of great schools to select from for your children’s education. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best Edmonton schools to help you make the best decision for your family.
What Type Of School Is Best For Me?
When it comes to choosing a school, one of the first things you’ll have to decide is what type of school you’d like to send your kids to. Some of the more popular options include:
Neighbourhood/Designated Public Schools
These are the most common type of schools in Edmonton. Each neighbourhood has its own designated school, in which your child is guaranteed a spot when you move into the area. You can also choose to send your child to a different school if they have enough room, but you may have to provide your own transportation. It is important to note that if a school is outside of your designated area, your child may not get in.
Catholic Schools
If you prefer your child to have a Catholic-based education, you can choose from one of Edmonton’s many Catholic schools. These schools are funded by the Alberta government, but they also receive additional funding from the Catholic Church.
Private Schools
There are also several private schools in Edmonton, which are not funded by the government. These schools typically have higher tuition fees, but they may offer a more personalized education.
Language Immersion Schools
In addition to the standard English-language school system, Edmonton also offers many language immersion schools. These schools offer instruction in another language, such as French or Mandarin, in addition to English. This can be a great option if you’re looking for a bilingual education for your child.
Once you’ve decided on the type of school you’d like your child to attend, you can start looking at specific schools in the area. To help you narrow down your options, here are some of the best schools in or around some of the areas of the city that Sterling builds in:
Southwest Edmonton
If you live in Southwest Edmonton, you’ll have a plethora of excellent school options at your disposal. Whether you want an academic program, second language immersion, or something more specific to attend to your child’s needs, one of the schools in Southwest Edmonton will definitely suit you.
Donald R. Getty School
Donald R. Getty School is a public school that offers students a high-quality education and prepares them for their future careers and lives. Students at Donald R. Getty School can take advantage of a wide variety of extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, clubs, and academic competitions, as well as state-of-the-art facilities that help support learning and growth. Whether you’re interested in STEM subjects or the arts, there’s something for everyone at this top-notch school.
Dr. Lila Fahlman School
One of the top public schools in the city, Dr. Lila Fahlman School is and innovative and progressive school is dedicated to providing quality education to all of its students, no matter what their background or academic needs may be. Whether you’re looking for an engaging and challenging curriculum, extra support through programs like ESL or special education, or opportunities to get involved in the arts, sports, or other extracurricular activities, Dr. Lila Fahlman School has something for everyone!
Johnny Bright School
Johnny Bright School is a highly-regarded institution that has been serving students in the Edmonton area for many years. This school is known for its rigorous academic program, as well as its commitment to fostering a safe and supportive community where students can thrive. Whether you’re looking for a challenging curriculum or an enriching extracurricular experience, Johnny Bright School is an ideal choice.
St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School
If you’re looking for a faith-based school to send your children to, look no further than St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School. While all of the schools on this list are great choices, St. Teresa offers something unique: a close-knit community that is based on Catholic values and traditions. If you want your child to receive a top-notch education alongside religious values, then St. Teresa is the perfect school for you.
St. Francis Xavier High School
St. Francis Xavier High School is a prestigious Catholic high school – founded in 1955, the school has become a pillar of the local community and is known for providing an excellent education to its students. With small class sizes and dedicated teachers, students can get the individualized attention and support they need to be successful both inside and outside of the classroom. If you’re looking for an exciting, challenging learning environment that will help your child grow as a person, St. Francis Xavier is an ideal choice.
Private Schools in Southwest Edmonton
Some families opt for private schools for a plethora of reasons. The Southwest Edmonton area has several outstanding private schools to pick from, each with its own respective benefits.
For example, Tempo School provides students with a competitive academic setting but in smaller class sizes. The Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton only goes up until ninth grade but teaches children holistically.
Edmonton Academy provides an improved learning experience for students with diagnosed disabilities. Small class sizes and targeted programs create more opportunities to succeed than would be found at a traditional school.
Bilingual and Language Immersion Schools
Ensuring your child is fluent in more than one language is the perfect way to set him or her up for success. Bilingual and language immersion schools offer the chance to become proficient in another language, all while receiving a top-notch education.
Southwest Edmonton is home to several great bilingual and language immersion schools, such as Greenfield School and Richard Secord School which teach French immersion. There are also schools with bilingual programs, such as the Arabic program at Malmo School and the German program at Rideau Park School as well as schools that offer Chinese, Hebrew, and American Sign Language.
International Baccalaureate Schools
Schools with International Baccalaureate (IB) programs tend to offer a rigorous academic environment. Students are allowed to take control of their own education, and often work together on projects using an inquiry-based model.
Southwest Edmonton is home to some notable IB high schools such as Lillian Osborne and Harry Ainlay School. The Harry Ainlay School is also a French immersion school, so you get the best of both worlds there.
These are just a few of the best Edmonton schools located in Southwest Edmonton. If you’re still undecided, be sure to visit the schools’ websites to learn more about what they have to offer. With so many choices available, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your child’s needs.
Southeast Edmonton
Southeast Edmonton is also home to a variety of great schools, each with its own unique benefits. Some of the excellent schools you can find in Southeast Edmonton include:
Shauna May Seneca School
Shauna May Seneca School is a fantastic educational institution located in Southeast Edmonton. At this school, students are allowed to thrive and grow in a positive learning environment that’s dedicated to promoting academic excellence and personal growth.
With knowledgeable teachers and state-of-the-art facilities, this school truly provides an excellent educational experience for all of its students. If you’re looking for a well-regarded school where you can reach your full potential, Shauna May Seneca School is definitely the right choice.
Michael Strembitsky School
Michael Strembitsky School is a fantastic public elementary school, known for its highly skilled and dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to ensure that each student receives the education and support that they need to succeed. Whether your child is starting out in kindergarten or preparing for high school, Michael Strembitsky School is a great option.
Ellerslie Campus School
Ellerslie Campus School offers a wide range of programs and services for students and runs grades K-9. Their highly qualified teachers offer individualized attention and support to help every student excel in their studies, and their state-of-the-art facilities provide the perfect environment for learning and exploring new ideas.
Father Michael Mireau Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
For those looking for Catholic options, Father Michael Mireau Catholic Elementary/Junior High School is an excellent choice. This school provides a rigorous academic curriculum, as well as the opportunity to learn about and grow in faith. With a strong focus on service, this school instills students with important values that will stay with them for life.
Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
Families living in Southeast Edmonton can also choose Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary/Junior High School. This school provides a top-notch education that helps students develop into well-rounded individuals who are prepared to succeed in whatever they choose to do in life.
Private Schools
Southeast Edmonton also has a great selection of private educational services.
The Al Mustafa Academy is a unique school that provides an excellent education for children in grades K-12. In addition to the Alberta curriculum, students at this school also learn about Islamic Studies and Arabic language and culture. This is a great option for families who are looking for a well-rounded education that includes both academic and religious instruction.
Just Montessori is a private school that specializes in providing Montessori education for children in grades K-6. At this school, students are given the opportunity to learn at their own pace and explore their interests in depth. This type of educational approach is proven to be very successful in promoting independent thinking and a lifelong love of learning.
Bilingual and Language Immersion Schools
If you’re looking for a school that offers bilingual or language immersion programs, Southeast Edmonton has plenty of options.
Les Bouts d’Choux French Immersion Preschool is a great choice for families with young children. This preschool offers a complete immersion experience, giving your child the chance to learn French through play and everyday activities.
For older students, École Frère Antoine is an excellent option. Their French immersion program offers the opportunity for students to become functionally bilingual in French by the end of Grade 12.
Northwest Edmonton
Whether you currently have children or are thinking about having them in the future, you want to choose a location where your children can get the best education possible. And, if you’ve been considering Northwest Edmonton as an area you’d like to settle in and call home, you’ll be pleased to know it has a lot to offer students!
No matter what type of educational style you prefer and what your child’s unique needs are, there are schools in Northwest Edmonton to meet those needs, including:
David Thomas King School
David Thomas King School is a great place for students in Northwest Edmonton to get their education. It offers many different features, including a large library, wonderful teachers that are committed to helping students succeed, and state-of-the-art technology that allows students to access all kinds of learning resources online.
This school also has a large number of different extracurricular activities, so your child will have the opportunity to explore their interests and try new things. There are sports teams, clubs, and societies to join, as well as many different cultural events that take place throughout the year.
McArthur School
Teaching grades K-6, McArthur School is another top-notch educational institution in Northwest Edmonton. One of the things that sets this school apart is its commitment to ensuring all students have access to technology and can use it effectively.
Lorelei School
Lorelei School is a public school located near the Eaux Claires neighbourhood. Lorelei School provides a supportive learning environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills. Whether students are interested in arts and music or mathematics and technology, they’ll find many opportunities to explore their interests and discover new passions at this dynamic school.
Bishop David Motiuk Elementary/ Junior High
For those seeking Catholic options, Bishop David Motiuk Elementary/ Junior High is an excellent choice. This well-respected school provides students with a strong academic foundation as well as opportunities to grow spiritually. In addition to regular classes, students can also participate in sports, music, and other extracurricular activities.
Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School
For older kids, Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School is a great option which offers a range of specialized academic programs based around a strong tradition of academic and spiritual excellence. This school also offers a series of athletic teams that compete in the Metro Athletic League.
Private Schools
Northwest Edmonton has an excellent selection of private school options that make the list of some of the best Edmonton schools. This includes Coralwood Adventist Academy, which aims to provide quality K-12 Christian education to the local community, Progressive Academy, a K-12 private school which boasts an impressive range of facilities including a technology centre, library, music and art rooms, a full-size gymnasium and an auditorium, and Edmonton Islamic Academy, which offers a challenging academic environment interwoven with teachings of the Islamic faith.
Crestwood Montessori is only for children who are between three and six years of age, but it sets a good foundation for learning.
Northeast Edmonton
Families who choose to live in Northeast Edmonton aren’t left out! They also have an impressive selection of school options to choose from, such as:
Kirkness School
A great choice for students in the Northeast quadrant, Kirkness School offers many different features, including a large library, wonderful teachers that are committed to helping students succeed, and state-of-the-art technology which allows students to access all kinds of learning resources online.
This school also has a large number of different extracurricular activities, so your child will have the opportunity to explore their interests and try new things. There are sports teams, clubs, and societies to join, as well as many different cultural events that take place throughout the year.
John D. Bracco School
John D. Bracco School is a top-rated public school located near the Clareview neighbourhood of Northeast Edmonton. It offers a wide variety of programs and services to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs or who are English Language Learners.
The school has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence, and students have the opportunity to participate in many different extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and clubs.
St. Bonaventure Elementary School & Junior High
St. Bonaventure Elementary School & Junior High is a Catholic school also located in the Clareview neighbourhood of Northeast Edmonton. It provides students with a strong academic foundation as well as opportunities to grow spiritually. In addition to regular classes, students can also participate in sports, music, and other activities.
St. Dominic’s Catholic School
St. Dominic’s Catholic School is an elementary school located near the McLeod neighbourhood of Northeast Edmonton. It provides students with a well-rounded education, with a focus on Catholic values and traditions. In addition to regular classes, students can also participate in sports, music, and other programs.
Language Immersion and Bilingual Schools
If you want to give your child a leg up when it comes to speaking another language, you’ll want to consider putting them in a language immersion program. Delwood School and Dickinsfield School, for instance, all have French immersion programs, and these are a naturally popular choice for parents in Northeast Edmonton. There are also bilingual schools for those interested in other languages, including Chinese, Arabic, and German.
International Baccalaureate Schools
If you’re looking for a school in Northeast Edmonton that will challenge your child academically, you may want to consider an International Baccalaureate program. These programs are designed to give students an international perspective on their education, and they are offered at a small number of schools in Edmonton. In Northeast Edmonton, the two schools that offer IB programs are M.E. LaZerte High School and McNally High School.
As you can see, there are many great school options available to families in all areas of Edmonton. No matter what your child’s needs or interests are, you’re sure to find a school that’s right for them. Do you have any questions about schools in Edmonton? Get in touch with us today to find out which area of the city is best for you and your family!
Originally published September 3, 2018, updated October 20, 2022
Photo credits: depositphotos.com
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