ADMISSIONS

Outside of school events, like open houses, you can schedule a tour of the school (visit website). If arranged on a regular school day, a tour may provide a realistic view of school life.

• Why it matters

  A school visit offers a firsthand look at the environment, culture, and daily life of the school. It provides an opportunity to ask questions, observe interactions, and verify your expectations directly. It's a vital part of an informed choice.

See the deadline distribution for all other schools we cover below.

• Application deadline by enrollment type(s)

  Month	River Valley School	Other schools
  	Rolling admissions	Fixed deadline	Rolling admissions
  September	Day admissions	0%	90% of all other schools have rolling admissions
  October		Less than 1%
  November		1%
  December		7%
  January		2%
  February		1%
  March		2%
  April		Less than 1%
  May		Less than 1%
  June		Less than 1%
  July		0%
  August		Less than 1%

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• Why it matters

  The admissions timeline helps you plan and prepare for key milestones, including school visits, application submission, and acceptance notifications.

The highest number of openings across all other schools we cover include Grade(s) PS, JK and 1 (for the same grades offered at River Valley School).

• Breakdown by grade

  Entry grade	Number of openings available: Day
  	River Valley School	Average of all other schools
  Preschool	16	20
  JK	16	15
  SK	5 - 10	9
  Gr. 1	1 - 3	10
  Gr. 2	1 - 3	8
  Gr. 3	1 - 3	8
  Gr. 4	1 - 5	8
  Gr. 5	1 - 5	9
  Gr. 6	1 - 5	9

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• Why it matters

  Popular entry grades may offer more opportunities for peer integration and more extensive orientation programs at the school. Applying to these grades may increase the chances of admission and support a smoother social and academic transition for the student.

Acceptance rate at River Valley School is typical of the schools we cover.

• Breakdown by grade

  Grade	Acceptance rate: Day
  	River Valley School	Average of all other schools
  Preschool	95%	39%
  JK	95%	41%
  SK	75%	36%
  Gr. 1	75%	39%
  Gr. 2	75%	37%
  Gr. 3	75%	37%
  Gr. 4	75%	38%
  Gr. 5	90%	38%
  Gr. 6	90%	37%

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• What River Valley School says it looks for in students

  At River Valley School, we are looking for students who are curious, kind, and eager to learn. We welcome children with a wide range of strengths, interests, and learning styles, and focus on understanding each child as a whole person rather than relying on academic testing.
  
  Students who thrive at River Valley enjoy asking questions, exploring new ideas, building relationships, and learning through hands on experiences. Equally important is finding families who value a strong partnership with the school and share our commitment to nurturing the academic, social, emotional, and personal growth of every child.
  
  As a small independent school, we carefully assess whether we can meet each student's needs. We are not equipped to support students with medical fragility or moderate to severe developmental, emotional, behavioural, or oppositional defiance disorders. International students must reside in Canada with a parent or legal guardian and provide documentation demonstrating eligibility for education in Alberta.

• Why it matters

  A school's acceptance rate gives you an indication of how competitive the admissions process is. Understanding this can help you set expectations and make strategic decisions about where to apply. Please note that the acceptance rates provided here are approximate.

See grade-by-grade admissions requirements at River Valley School and how they compare with other schools.

• Breakdown by grade

  Grade	Required by River Valley School					% of schools requiring
  	Interview	SSAT	SSAT (out of province)	Entrance exam	Entrance essay
  Preschool		-	-	-	-	Interview: 18%, Exam: 1%
  JK		-	-	-	-	Interview: 35%, Exam: 4%
  SK		-	-	-	-	Interview: 36%, Exam: 5%
  Gr. 1		-	-	-	-	Interview: 51%, Exam: 15%, Essay: 2%
  Gr. 2		-	-	-	-	Interview: 52%, Exam: 18%, Essay: 2%
  Gr. 3		-	-	-	-	Interview: 52%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 20%, Essay: 3%
  Gr. 4		-	-	-	-	Interview: 54%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 22%, Essay: 4%
  Gr. 5		-	-	-	-	Interview: 55%, SSAT: 1%, Exam: 24%, Essay: 5%
  Gr. 6		-	-	-	-	Interview: 59%, SSAT: 2%, Exam: 25%, Essay: 7%

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• What River Valley School says about the application process

  Application fee: $150

  Registration fee: $5,000

  Deposit: N/A

  
  Description:

  Families are first encouraged to book-a-tour with our Director of Enrolment, walk through our facilities, discuss our program and fees, ask questions, but most importantly help us learn more about your child and their needs. Interested Parents/Guardians are then asked to fill out our online application form and submit all required application documentation. We do not test for entrance.

  In addition to the online application form, the following is required prior to an admission decision:

  • $150 non-refundable application fee will be payable online, or drop off a cheque/cash to the admissions office.
  • A copy of the student’s birth certificate, citizenship, or permanent residence card (if applicable)
  • A copy of the final report card of last school year and most recent report card (when available)
  • A copy of the student’s psycho-educational evaluations and/or assessments related to the students emotional, behavioral, medical or learning needs (if applicable)

  *In most cases, once a good fit has been determined, our Admissions team will reach out to schedule a family interview or Admissions Play-date before finalizing enrolment.

  *Children entering our Early Learning programs must be toilet-trained.

• Why it matters

  Understanding admission requirements is crucial as you assess your fit with a school and the likelihood of acceptance. These requirements often reflect the school's educational priorities.