While there are many things to consider when looking for a new Edmonton neighbourhood, it’s important to know your kids will have access to the best educational opportunities. So, before you decide what part of the city you’d like to live in, you’ll want to know what schools are available.
In order to help you decide which community might be best for you and your children, we've created a detailed guide of educational options available in and around the Capital Region.
Designated Schools
Both the Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) and the Edmonton Catholic School Board (ECSB) orchestrate enrolment in the same way. Regardless of where you live in Edmonton, there will be a designated school for your children to attend.
However, if you’d like your child to attend a particular school outside of your district, it can be a little more complicated. Each board has a lottery system where your child’s name is entered, and if there are additional spaces available after all the kids within that district have registered, your child may be randomly chosen.
If you are not Catholic but would like to register your child in a Catholic School, this is still possible. If there are additional spaces available after taking Catholic registrants, your child’s registration will be accepted.
Keeping this in mind, if having your children attend a specific school is important to you, determine the respective enrolment boundaries ahead of time - this will help you select a community that’s best for your child.
Private School Boards
There are many benefits to private schools - including smaller class sizes, specialized programs of study, and additional extracurricular options. There are a number of private school options in Edmonton, including the Public Christian School Board, which provides faith-based curriculum for a very modest tuition fee.
Other options include Progressive Academy or the School of Alberta Ballet.
Edmonton’s Surrounding Communities
Edmonton’s bedroom communities such as Leduc, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove etc., have their own school boards to serve families in their respective areas. These boards include:
- Black Gold Regional School Board for Beaumont, Leduc, and Devon
- Star Catholic School Board for Leduc and Beaumont
- Elk Island Public School Board for Sherwood Park, Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan
- Elk Island Catholic School Board for Sherwood Park, Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan
- Parkland School Division for Spruce Grove and Stony Plain
- Evergreen Catholic Schools for Spruce Grove and Stony Plain
The schools in these areas will provide the same quality education that your children would receive in Edmonton. However, if you are looking to enrol your kids in a particular type of program, make sure the school board in your community of choice offers it ahead of time.
Special Education Programs
Whether your child has special needs or you simply want to enrich their lives with an education that appeals to your values, language or culture, there are many options available to you! Whether you’re interested in English as a Second Language, aboriginal programs, arts, athletics or faith-based education, Edmonton’s school boards have something for every type of learner.
Depending on how “niche” the education you're seeking is, it may not matter if you live in the same district as the school. If the program being offered is something very specific, such as a bilingual Spanish speaking program, interest may not be as high as other programs making registration and enrolment far less competitive.
Learning from Home
While teaching your kids from home isn’t for everyone, there are many resources in place for parents who choose this route. In fact, the Edmonton Public School Board offers a program that allows parents to serve as their children’s primary educator.
Post-Secondary
If you’re hoping to keep your kids close while they attend university or college, Edmonton is ideal! Many of the city’s educational centres for higher learning are sought after globally for their high-quality programs and excellent reputations.
The obvious choices are The University of Alberta, the Northern Institute of Technology (NAIT), or Grant MacEwan University. However, Concordia University of Edmonton, Norquest College, and King’s University also present great options for aspiring students.
Alberta’s Capital region is home to some of the best educational choices in the country. To ensure you’ll have access to the educational opportunities you and your children are hoping for, be sure to research the right community ahead of time. Check out our New Schools Opening in Edmonton and Area for the 2016/17 School Year blog post for more information on up-and-coming educational opportunities in a neighbourhood near you.
