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The following terms and definitions are commonly used to describe classroom settings and specialized programs within the school divisions we work with. This resource is intended to help you understand the unique placement opportunities available and support informed placement requests. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all programs or settings.
Grade Structures
Kindergarten
Division 1 (Div 1)
Grades 1–3
Division 2 (Div 2)
Grades 4–6
Junior High (Middle School)
Grades 7–9
Partner School Boards and Communities
Calgary Board of Education (CBE)
The largest public school board in Calgary, responsible for hundreds of public schools offering Kindergarten to Grade 12 education. It accepts all students who meet age and residency requirements and provides diverse programs across the city.
Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD)
The separate Catholic school division serving Calgary and the surrounding communities. It offers Kindergarten to Grade 12 education rooted in Catholic faith and designed to help students learn in both academic and spiritual dimensions.
Tsuut’ina Education (Nation Schools)
Schools operated by the Tsuut’ina Nation education authority on Tsuut’ina land. These schools teach the Alberta Programs of Study with a strong focus on community, culture and language for students of the Nation.
Wrap-around supports and multi-disciplinary teams, outdoor education/land-based learning opportunities and more.
Stoney Education Authority (Stoney Nakoda)
The education authority for the Stoney Nakoda Nations (including Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney). Schools focus on literacy, cultural heritage, language and community identity while teaching core academic outcomes.
Wrap-around supports and multi-disciplinary teams, outdoor education/land-based learning opportunities and more.
Charter Schools
A publicly funded school that operates independently of local school boards.
Authorized to use specialized teaching methods or unique educational models while meeting Alberta curriculum requirements.
Examples: Classical education, STEM, single-gender, alternative pedagogy, etc.
Rocky View Schools (RVS)
A public school division serving communities west, north, and east of Calgary. RVS operates public schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and focuses on engaging, community‑connected learning environments for diverse learners.
Foothills School Division
A public school division based south of Calgary that serves students from junior kindergarten through Grade 12 across multiple small towns and rural areas, offering community‑focused programs and a range of academic and extracurricular experiences.
Private Schools (Alberta)
Independently governed schools that operate outside of public boards. They vary widely in philosophy, curriculum and tuition structure, but may be registered or accredited under provincial regulations while often offering specialized programs.
Specialized & Support Programming
Language Programs
Alternative language programs where students learn in both English and a target language to achieve/aquire functional fluency.
French Immersion, Spanish Bilingual, Mandarin Bilingual (CBE only), German Bilingual (CBE only), Italian (CSSD Only), Tsuut’ina Gunaha (Tsuut'ina Schools only), Îethka (Stoney Nakoda Schools Only)
EES / ES1 / ES2 (Enhanced Educational Supports)
The Enhanced Educational Supports (EES) class provides educational programming for students in grades 1-6 with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. The EES class focuses on building foundational skills in functional academics, communication, social interaction, leisure skills, functional living skills, and skills for self-regulation
CTF/CTS (Career and Technology Foundations/Career and Technology Studies)
Grades 5–9
CTF/CTS is an inquiry-based, hands-on, Program of Study for Grades 5 to 9 that focuses on essential skills common to occupational areas
CBE Spesific:
GATE (Gifted and Talented Education)
Programming for formally identified gifted learners.
Alberta Education describes giftedness as exceptional performance and/or potential in learning rate, depth of knowledge, reasoning and problem-solving abilities when compared with others of their age, experience, and environment. (Alberta Education, 2004).
PLP (Paced Learning Program)
CBE - The Paced Learning Program (PLP) provides educational programming for students in grades 4 to 12 who have been diagnosed as having a mild intellectual disability and below average to low average adaptive functioning (e.g., social, communication, practical daily living).
Bridges
The Bridges class provides educational programming for students in Grades 1-12 who present with complex and severe mental health challenges and overt, dysregulated behaviours significantly impacting their academic engagement and well-being.
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