Diversity and inclusion in Calgary’s private schools

In Calgary, the private school sector is undergoing noticeable change. Demand from families remains strong, and in some cases is growing, as they reassess what they want from education amid evolving curricula, crowded classrooms, and renewed attention to student well-being. Schools offering clear areas of strength, for example, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); the arts; athletics; outdoor learning; or accelerated academics, are attracting the most attention.

On the schools’ side, diversity efforts are also increasing and include schools serving neurodiverse students. For example, in 2025, a school for students with learning disabilities broke ground in the Altadore neighbourhood of southwest Calgary. In terms of cultural programming, Calgary private schools offer a wide range of opportunities, from global exchanges to curriculum components that address bias, identity, and belonging.

“Overall, Calgary's public system scores high on inclusion, but private schools build deeper cross-cultural ties,” says Tim Howie, owner and director of a Calgary-based education centre, which offers grades 1–12 tutoring aligned with the Alberta curriculum.

Jason Fong, an alumnus of Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) south of Calgary, is a second-generation Canadian who values the acceptance, encouragement, and pride in diversity that he experienced at STS. “We have Diversity Week, we have Gay-Straight Alliance activities. There is diversity in the world; we want our kids to develop a worldview and understand it,” he says.

The school recognizes different cultures and culturally significant dates, he adds. For example, to help celebrate Chinese New Year, Jason’s children—who are attending STS in their turn—go to school wearing Chinese New Year outfits.

Overall, Jason describes himself as “super fortunate and super privileged” to have attended a private school for nine years. “I was very fortunate to be put in an environment like that that really set me up for success.” Such reflections point to one of the intended outcomes of education at its best: not only academic or professional preparation, but the development of self-awareness and perspective. The ability to recognize opportunities and privileges, and to situate one’s experience within a broader social context, is a marker of educational success—and something many Calgary independent schools actively aim to cultivate.

At Glenmore Christian Academy, a private Christian school in Calgary, parents Craig and Stephanie Hill appreciate the respect for diversity that is a key part of the school culture.

“Experientially, we watched those values play out in our children’s lives with that extra degree of tolerance that was required from students, one to another,” Craig says. “The school has done a good job of really instilling the value of every individual as important in the eyes of God and therefore one to another.”

“From the earliest stage,” Craig continues, “one of the benefits for our kids has been that Glenmore Christian Academy is very multicultural. You don’t get to approach a thought just from one vantage point. There are so many perspectives brought to it. I think that helped our children have a profound respect for other races, nationalities, stories, and thought processes, and they’ve grown up their lifetime with all of that. It’s a huge benefit.”

Katheryn Carley, whose son attends the Lycée International de Calgary, appreciates the Lycée’s diverse community, which welcomes families of all backgrounds.

“It’s such an array of students and families at the school,” she says. “You have the French international group, you have different ethnicities, different cultures. It’s a melting pot. You couldn’t ask for better. Everybody wants to grow the community that is the school. My son already has a support system in place with his teachers and his classmates’ parents. It’s invaluable what the response has been for him as a child, and what that structure and growth represent for him and for his future.”

Carley concedes they had a lot of reservations before enrolling their son at the Lycée, since they are not a French-speaking household. But for their family, deciding to take that cultural and linguistic stretch was the right choice from day one.

According to Carley, their son’s school is a passport to the world—a cultural open door. The French education program, combined with the Alberta diploma, “is a huge, huge reason to go. It’s a unique experience and advantage for your child. If you want your child to be a global citizen and aware of the bigger picture of life, the school is open to that. It’s a very, very safe place to do it in.”

This emphasis on safety, belonging, and individualized growth is echoed across Calgary’s independent school community, including schools that specialize in supporting diverse learning needs. Lynn Lenko, Director of Education at Renfrew Educational Services, describes their approach this way:

“We are proud to provide a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every child is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Our dedicated team of educators, therapists, and support staff work collaboratively to create individualized learning experiences that foster growth across all areas of development – academic, social, and physical.”

She adds that inclusion extends beyond the classroom to the relationships that surround each child’s learning.

“We believe that strong relationships with families are at the heart of student success. As partners in your child's journey, we are committed to open communication, mutual respect, and shared celebration of every milestone, big or small.”

Together, these perspectives, from culturally immersive programs like the Lycée to specialized, therapeutic learning environments, illustrate how Calgary’s private schools are working in different ways toward the same goal: creating communities where diversity is recognized, individual needs are met, and every student can belong and thrive.