Choosing the Best Private School for Your Child in Calgary

You’ve made the big decision: it’s time to help your child find and apply to a school where they will thrive. You want an environment that will help them grow into their full potential, that will challenge and inspire them, and that will prepare them to be a confident leader in our global society.

Here are five steps you should take when trying to find and apply to the best private school for your child in Calgary:

1. Start with your must-haves.

Finding your child’s best-fit school is, in reality, more about your child and your family than the school itself. You must first truly understand your child’s personality, strengths, values, and vulnerabilities to find the school that will support and address their needs.

You also need to be honest about your must-haves. These are the non-negotiable aspects that can make-or-break your decision:

  • Values: Do the school’s values align with your family’s? Do you agree with the school’s educational approach and the type of school? Are you looking for a faith-based alternative, a traditional neighbourhood program, or a secular, independent environment like Rundle that focuses deeply on character, citizenship, and relationships?
  • Offerings: Does the school’s personality fit with your child’s? Does it offer programs and services that support your student’s interests, strengths, and needs? Do you need a school that specializes in learning disabilities, or one focused on rapid university preparation?
  • Budget: Are the tuition and expenses realistic for your family? Does the school have robust financial assistance or bursary options? Will the cost work for your family for the long-term?
  • Location: Is the geographic location conducive to your family’s lifestyle? If you simply cannot drive more than 30 minutes to a school each day, don’t exceed that radius during your search.

2. Create your list of potential schools.

It’s time to gather your resources and create a list of potential schools. For this exercise, include all options to compare and contrast all of your must-haves.

There are a variety of resources you can use to develop your list, such as:

  • Word-of-mouth suggestions from other Calgary parents. Keep in mind: just because your neighbour’s child excels at a school does not mean your child’s experiences will be identical.
  • Current school contacts, such as teachers, tutors, and coaches, who know and understand your child’s needs and preferences, and may be able to guide your search in the right direction.

3. Do your homework.

It’s time to start your research. There is a lot you can find out about a school before ever stepping foot on its campus:

  • The school’s website: Go beyond the home page and the tuition page to understand the school’s vision, approach, and offerings. Read up on its history and mission, explore its faculty pages and curriculum descriptions, and check out any recent news articles and stories.
  • Multi-media resources: Get to know the school community in their own words. Watching video features — like the Rundle at 40 celebration video — can give you an instant feel for the history and heart of a campus.
  • Social media: These platforms are perfect for understanding a school’s daily culture, student body, and staff personality.

4. Compare and contrast.

Begin to narrow down your long list by comparing the schools you’re considering. Your goal is to pick your very top choices so that you can truly find the best fit.

Consider creating a spreadsheet. This will help you keep all the little yet important details about each school straight.

At Rundle, we believe the ultimate differentiator is a school’s core culture and the elevated experiences it provides. When you compare schools, look at how they cultivate character and student passions:

  • Core Values: We are guided by a simple, unifying value: Together: Be Kind, Be Curious, Be Well. We intentionally build spaces to gather together across all our campuses, whether through school-wide assemblies, house-point challenges, or collaborative projects.
  • Elevated Student Opportunities: Look at what a school offers beyond the standard curriculum. For instance, Rundle provides life-changing international travel; dynamic performing arts; an elite, competitive robotics team; a wide variety of interest-based student clubs; and a robust athletics program featuring rugby, wrestling, volleyball, badminton, basketball, football, and more.
  • Specialized Methodologies: Ensure the teaching style matches your child’s brain. Rundle believes in building authentic relationships with students to meet both high-achieving students and those requiring extra support right where they are.

5. Time to Visit 

Finally, it’s time to visit your top schools. There’s no better way to experience a school than in person, though a campus tour and open house. When attending any event or conversation, bring your questions! These are perfect opportunities to get any final insights you may need to make the right decision.

Our enrollment officers would love to connect with you directly to dive deeper into how our specific programs align with your child’s needs. We can help you explore Rundle’s three distinct pathways:

  • Rundle College (Kindergarten to Grade 12): Our premier co-ed day school program focusing on strong academics, character, and leadership.
  • Rundle Academy (Grades 4-12): Our specialized day school program explicitly designed for students with diagnosed learning disabilities (with or without ADHD).
  • Rundle Studio (Grades 10-12): Our innovative online learning environment tailored specifically for high school students with diagnosed learning disabilities.

Once you’ve met with your top schools, you should be able to identify the one that is the best fit for your child and family. Next up, it’s time to apply!