Calgary Academy Explained

Calgary Academy
Motto:At the heart of everything we do is your child.
Location:1677 93 St SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3H 0R3
Coordinates:51.0395°N -114.2236°W
Founded:September 1, 1981
Founder:Jim Gray
Educational Authority:or
Local Authority:-->
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President:Greg Bass
Principal:Tim Carlson
Principal Label1:Assistant Principal Junior School
Principal1:Liz Thompson
Principal Label2:Assistant Principal Senior School
Principal2:Sheryl Walters
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Grades:K-12
Enrollment:700
Ratio:1:12-20 [1]
Accreditations:-->
Affiliations:-->
Website:https://calgaryacademy.com

Calgary Academy is a designated special education private school located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[2] It offers academics from kindergarten through grade 12, with the kindergarten program opening in 2019. It was founded on September 1, 1981, by Jim Grey, a Calgarian businessman. Calgary Academy's first class graduated in 1987.[3] Its core principles are respect, enthusiasm, altruism, commitment and honesty.[4] [5]

As of 2023, it has more than 700 students on a 16-acre campus, and 150 staff members.

The school has three programs: Academy, which designed for children with learning difficulties, disabilities, or ADHD;[6] Collegiate, which focuses on post-secondary preparation, and Blended+, which combines in-person and online learning.[7]

It has a 97.3% graduation rate, within three years of students entering Grade 10.[8] As of 2022, the 93% of Calgary Academy students pursued post-secondary education after graduating.[9]

History

Calgary Academy was founded in 1981 out of a need for a school for students with unique learning needs, similar to Denver Academy at the time, to be created in Calgary. Originally, it was operated out of rented classrooms, relocating in 1994 to its current campus.

In 2010, Calgary Academy held its first Dig Pink volleyball tournament to raise money for breast cancer research, with teams from across Calgary participating. It has since become an annual event that has raised over $160,000.[10]

Alumni

One notable alum is 2019 graduate Khobe Clarke, an actor known for his performances in television shows Firefly Lane and Yellowjackets, and in the upcoming Cruel Intentions series.[11] [12]

Sean Thornhill, 2009 alum, as of 2023 is the Senior Sous Chef at Fairmont Chateau Whistler.[13] [14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Devries . Helena. October 17, 2022 . Calgary Academy 4/4 . December 20, 2023 . CTV News.
  2. 2022 . Funding Manual for School Authorities . Alberta Education . 152.
  3. Web site: Our History . December 20, 2023 . Calgary Academy . en-US.
  4. News: Durrie . Karen Rudolph . May 16, 2022 . 40 years of support: How Calgary Academy became the key educational fixture it is today . Calgary Herald . December 20, 2023.
  5. Web site: Philosophy . December 20, 2023 . Calgary Academy.
  6. Web site: Johnson . Tracy . Sep 3, 2013 . 8 things to know about learning disabled education in Alberta . December 20, 2023 . CBC News.
  7. News: Durrie . Karen Rudolph . June 23, 2022 . Reaching for the future: How Calgary Academy’s innovative programs help students succeed . Calgary Herald . December 20, 2023.
  8. Web site: 2023 . Annual Education Results Report (AERR) . December 20, 2023 . Calgary Academy.
  9. News: June 3, 2022 . In its 40th year, Calgary Academy graduates its largest, most resilient class . Calgary Academy . December 20, 2023.
  10. News: October 16, 2023 . Dig Pink: 15 Years of Community . Calgary Academy . December 20, 2023.
  11. News: Otterson . Joe . June 1, 2023 . ‘Cruel Intentions’ Series at Amazon Sets Main Cast (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . December 20, 2023.
  12. News: June 9, 2023 . Khobe Clarke: From Stage to Screen . Calgary Academy . December 20, 2023.
  13. News: Raffo . Dee . March 30, 2023 . A Chef’s Favourite Thing About Spring in Whistler . Whistler Insider . December 20, 2023.
  14. News: May 5, 2021 . Alumni Spotlight: Sean Thornhill . Calgary Academy .