AN OUR KIDS REPORT:Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School vs. Calgary Waldorf School

one-to-one comparison:

View Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School's full report
VS.
View Calgary Waldorf School's full report

  • SCHOOL LOCATION

    Distance From

    Map

    Address

    Address

    525 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3H6, Canada

    515 Cougar Ridge Dr. SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3H 5G9, Canada

  • SCHOOL OVERVIEW

    Basics

    Basics

    Founded

    1909

    1985

    Enrolment

    295

    240

    Grades

    K to 11

    JK to 9

    Gender

    Girls

    Coed

    Living arrangements

    Day

    Day

    Language of instruction

    English, French

    English

    Faith Based

    School focus

    Academic

    Academic

    Developmental Priorities

    Balanced
    Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.

    Academics

    Academics

    Curriculum

    Progressive

    Waldorf

    Curriculum pace

    Accelerated
    The main curriculum accelerates beyond the pace of the provincial one; ALL students do the work of OLDER public-school peers in tangible and measurable ways. This accelerated pace is maintained by the teachers and school, (through textbook selection, topic selection, grading, assignment standards and expectations, etc).
    Standard-enriched
    Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.

    Academic culture

    Rigorous
    A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.

    Avg. Class Size

    12 to 20

    Varies

    Special needs support

    Gifted learner support

    In-class adaptations

    Preschool/K curriculum

    Play-based
    Play-based programs are the most common type of preschool and Kindergarten, and are founded on the belief young children learn best through play. Largely open-ended and minimally structured, play-based programs aim to develop social skills and a love of attending school. “Pre-academic” skills are taught, but in a more indirect way than at, say, an Academic program: through children playing in different “stations” set up around the classroom, which children choose on their own volition. Stations often contain an indirect lesson or developmental goal. Play-based classrooms are highly social and active.
    Waldorf
    Highly group-oriented and with a strong emphasis on creative and imaginative play, Waldorf preschool and Kindergarten programs have very little to no emphasis on academics. A Waldorf environment will often feel more like a home than a traditional classroom -- the goal being to instill comfort and and a sense of predictability in students’ day. This emphasis on comfort and predictability also manifests through a heavy use of repetition: for example, teachers might read the same story multiple days in a row. Waldorf schools ask parents to refrain from offering children TV or computers at home, and aim to develop in children a connection to the natural world. If you want to learn more about Waldorf education, check out our comprehensive guide.

    Tuition

    Tuition

    Day Tuition

    $21,800 to $26,380

    $6,170 to $12,130

    Boarding Tuition

    Financial aid (FA)

    Yes

    Yes

    Students on FA

    15%

    0%

    Eligible grades for FA

    6 to 11

    Preschool to 9

    Median FA package size

    $5,000

    $0

    Enrollment

    Enrollment

    Avg. enrollment per grade

    25

    20

    Percent in boarding

    0%

    0%

    Admissions

    Admissions

    Admissions rate

    60%

    0%

    Day entry years

    K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

    Boarding entry years

    Day admissions deadline

    Rolling

    Not available

    Boarding admissions deadline

    Not available

    Not available

    Interview required?

    Yes: grades K - 11

    No

    SSAT required

    No

    No

    English Language Eligibility Certificate Required

    Yes: grades 7 - 11

    No

  • OUR PERSPECTIVE

    The Our Kids Review

    The Our Kids Review

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    “[ECS] was founded in 1909 by Maud Edgar and Mary Cramp, two trailblazing educators who were determined to open a school—not just any school, mind you, but one that would advance the cause of gender rights and equality. … [and] believing to their core that the school would play a role in quite literally changing the world.” “While the strength of the academic programs is understandably a principal draw, the thing that sets schools apart is their moral ecologies: the values and expectations they prioritize, and the ways of being they demand of the students who participate within them.” “The administration isn’t prone to resting on laurels, but instead consistently reviews best practices and builds new programs to meet the evolving needs of the student population.”
    Read The Our Kids Review of Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    information not available

    Our Take

    Our Take

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School was founded in 1909 by Maud Edgar and Mary Cramp, two trailblazing educators. Although still not allowed to own the property that housed their school, or even to vote, Miss Edgar and Miss Cramp were determined to create educational opportunity for young women, to change their place in the world. Those roots in activism and leadership—and the desire to do things better, and more equitably—remain at the school today. The strength of the academic program is a principle draw, though the values, very rightly, are as well. The school has built itself around an ethos of achievement, providing opportunities for authentic engagement with the curriculum and substantial interaction with like-minded peers and mentors. The ideal student is one who shares that vision, and who has the interest and the drive to play an active role in a changing world.  

    View full report

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    The program is established and proven, having been founded in 1985. Facilities are frankly excellent, having been purpose built for the CWS program in 2002, and created through consultation and cooperation with the entire school community. Spaces are ample, well appointed, and naturally lit. The aesthetic throughout is energizing. A wealth of outdoor space is a plus, to with more than four acres combining multi-use fields, play spaces, and sports fields. The proximity to the Canada Olympic Park isn’t perhaps meaningful in any substantive way, but is nice all the same. In the creation of the facility, to the day-to-day experience of the school, the school prides itself on the community that it both serves and represents, and well it should. There’s a village feel throughout, which only amplifies the academic work being done. Parents feel as much a part of the school as the students, which supports the work of the school in lots of overt and subtle ways. Staff are dedicated and experienced, and the daily routines—from drop off to aftercare—are friendly and sympathetic to the needs of parents and everything that can pop up in the course of a day.

    View full report
  • School’s perspective

    Who are you, as a school?

    Who are you, as a school?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    "Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s is small in size and big in ideas. An innovative girls’ school founded by female mavericks in 1909, ECS values and stewards each girl’s distinct journey. We offer an engaging and exceptional education to thrive in an ever changing world. At ECS, she will feel a sense of belonging and receive individualized attention giving her ownership over her learning process. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, each girl is empowered to create her own future and become a global citizen."

    • Early French Immersion (K to 5)
    • Francais Langue d'enseignement (Grades 6 to 11)
    • Comprehensive athletics programs
    • Varied co-curricular activities and clubs
    • Academic excellence/college prep
    • Leadership development program
    • Middle and Senior school laptop program
    • Entrepreneurial Platform (K to Grade 11)
    • Advanced Placement courses (Grade 11)
    • Bilingual Programme - French/English (Grades 3 to 8)

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    "Central to Waldorf education is a deep respect for childhood. Our enriched curriculum is designed to meet children where they are in their development. Movement and time in nature is built into every student’s daily rhythm. The Waldorf learning experience is hands-on, with unwired and low-tech classrooms. The arts — music, story, drawing, painting, and drama — are interwoven through all subjects. Students also learn two world languages, French and German."

    • Beginning in grade one children learn two world languages, French and German.
    • Handwork and Woodwork are part of the curriculum
    • Middle School students take part in a series of elective classes including wrestling, robotics, etc.
    • Independent School athletics program begins in grade seven with after school sports.

    Array

    What do you do differently and uniquely well?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    "ECS is committed to redefining the status quo in education with a strong academic offering and through our innovative Entrepreneurial Platform (EP). Collaborative in spirit, this Platform fosters an entrepreneurial mindset which is opportunity-seeking, persistent, and resourceful. Through the iterative process, they learn to reframe problems as opportunities as well as express and execute their strategies with clarity."

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    "This whole-child approach to education is rooted in the Waldorf concepts of "feeling, thinking, willing," and "heart, head, hands." These concepts are based on Dr. Rudolf Steiner's philosophies, and adapted for a changing world. We strive to honour, nurture, and protect the childhood of our students; to guide them into healthy adolescence; and to help them mature in ways that go beyond the simply material aspects of our nature and our world."

    Array

    What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Information not available

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Information not available

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What type of student is a good fit for your school?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Information not available

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Information not available

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    "ECS offers an environment where all students have access to opportunities to thrive, grow, and reach their full potential. Guided by our vision and mission, we strive to mentor each girl on her distinct journey. Small class sizes, strong academics and a vibrant co-curricular programme are just a few ways that we inspire students as they pursue their academic and discover their passions."

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    "Our philosophy prioritizes the integration of arts, imagination, and movement into all academic disciplines. Our curriculum fosters intellectual flexibility and creative thinking, with an eye to ethics and morality. Knowledge is important, but understanding what to do with that knowledge is critical. We believe that becoming a successful human is a function of weaving together a rich tapestry of capacities and abilities."

    Array

    How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Information not available

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    "Our Co-curricular and Athletics programmes are exceptional. Students experience life outside of school though trips, special events and guest speakers who touch upon many social issues. From sport tournaments to field trips they get to experience the world in a safe and nurturing environment with our wonderful staff. Student Life at ECS provides opportunities beyond the classroom, that build leadership skills, self and global awareness, and independence."

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    "The use of electronic media, particularly television, by young children is discouraged in Waldorf schools. So too is the over-emphasis of commercialism and busy extra-curricular schedules. The importance of a balanced and strong family life is emphasized, encouraged and supported at our school."

    Array

    What might families find surprising about your school?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    "ECS is a home away from home. Students love their school and they are nurtured by a dedicated teaching team and surrounded by a caring student body that spans Kindergarten to Grade 11. Students not only find peers within their class but also through special school activities and events throughout the school year. Students at ECS are part of a sisterhood that lasts beyond their school years and carries them into the future."

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    "Waldorf class teachers build strong relationships with their students. Our methodology is rooted in rhythm and routine, and supported by having a Class Teacher. The teacher stays with their class for several consecutive years, acting as mentor, role model, and guardian. A Class Teacher is better able to assess each individual's development needs, and fosters shared experience and a strong bond between the teacher and the students and their families."

    Array

    What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Information not available

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    How will your school change in the next 5 years?

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Information not available

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Information not available

  • EXTRACURRICULARS

    Competitive

    Comp.

    Recreational

    Rec.

    Competitive

    Comp.

    Recreational

    Rec.

    Badminton

    Baseball

    Basketball

    Canoeing/Kayaking

    Cricket

    Cross-country skiing

    Cycling

    Downhill skiing

    Equestrian

    Fencing

    Field Hockey

    Figure Skating

    Football

    Golf

    Gymnastics

    Ice Hockey

    Ice Skating

    Lacrosse

    Martial Arts

    Mountain biking

    Racquet Ball

    Rowing

    Rugby

    Running

    Sailing

    Skateboarding

    Snowboarding

    Soccer

    Softball

    Squash

    Swimming

    Tennis

    Track & Field

    Volleyball

    Weightlifting

    Wrestling

    Archery

    Curling

    Ultimate


    Clubs Offered

    Clubs offered

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Ballet and Classical Ballet
    Yoga
    Yearbook
    Student Council
    Scouting
    Science Club
    School newspaper
    Round Square
    Robotics club
    Radio club
    Poetry/Literature club
    Photography
    Paintball
    Outdoor Education
    Outdoor Club
    Online Magazine
    Musical theatre/Opera
    Math Club
    Jazz Ensemble
    Habitat for Humanity
    Foreign Language Club
    Environmental Club
    Drama Club
    Debate Club
    Dance Club
    Computer Club
    Community Service
    Choir
    Chess Club
    Band
    Audiovisual Club
    Astronomy Club
    Art Club
    Animation

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    Ballet and Classical Ballet
    Yoga
    Yearbook
    Student Council
    Scouting
    Science Club
    School newspaper
    Round Square
    Robotics club
    Radio club
    Poetry/Literature club
    Photography
    Paintball
    Outdoor Education
    Outdoor Club
    Online Magazine
    Musical theatre/Opera
    Math Club
    Jazz Ensemble
    Habitat for Humanity
    Foreign Language Club
    Environmental Club
    Drama Club
    Debate Club
    Dance Club
    Computer Club
    Community Service
    Choir
    Chess Club
    Band
    Audiovisual Club
    Astronomy Club
    Art Club
    Animation


    What the school says

    CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL

    • Our School is a member of the I.S.A.A. (Independent Schools’ Athletic Association), a league of independent schools in Calgary that coordinates the sporting season for its students.
  • Financial Aid

    Grades eligible

    Grades eligible

    6 - 11

    Preschool - 9

    Students on aid

    Students on aid

    15%

    0%

    Avg. aid package (annual)

    Avg. aid package (annual)

    $5,000

    $0

  • ADMISSIONS

    Admissions

    Admissions rate

    60%

    0%

    Day entry years

    K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

    Boarding entry years

    Day admissions deadline

    Rolling

    Not available

    Boarding admissions deadline

    Not available

    Not available

    Interview required?

    Yes: grades K - 11

    No

    SSAT required

    No

    No

    SSAT(out of province) required

    No

    No

    English Language Eligibility Certificate Required

    Yes: grades 7 - 11

    No

    Entrance exams required

    Yes: grades 1 - 11

    No

    Entrance essay required

    No

    No

    Application fee required

    No

    No

    Type of student school is looking for

    Type of student school is looking for

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    Curious, courageous, mission-appropriate, risk-takers, motivated to learn, well-rounded. We're looking for the sparkle in their eye - the girls who are keen to learn, enthusiastic. We're looking for the girl who plays rugby, the oboe, and loves ballet; the girl who loves math, engineering, and a good book. Our student body is varied and diverse - give us a call.

    What the school says

    What the school says

    MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL

    • Birth Certificate

    • Final Report Cards for Last Two Years

    • Junior School - Permanent Residency cards or Certificate of Eligibility or Study Visa or Parent Work Permit or Parent Diplomatic Status

    • Middle / Senior School - Certificate of Eligibility or Study Visa or Parent Work Permit or Parent Diplomatic Status

    • Candidate photo

    • $50 application fee

    • Admissions test and ‘Spend-A-Day’ on site

    • Family interview

    • International applicants Grade 8 through 10 must provide their IELTS/TOEFL scores.

    • All Grade 7 applicants must write the Common Admissions Test with Brisson Legris (mid-October). If inquiring after the deadline, please contact our Admissions Team.

    • In some cases, we require a copy of the child and parent's passports

  • NOTABLE ALUMNI

    Alumni

    information not available
    information not available

Compare:

MISS EDGAR'S & MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL:
THE OUR KIDS REPORT  

CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL:
THE OUR KIDS REPORT  




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