Moving to Calgary: The Elementary School Search
For families considering a move to Calgary, the appeal goes well beyond mountain views and sunny skies. Calgary offers a combination that can be difficult to find in other major Canadian cities: strong career opportunities, family friendly communities, access to outdoor recreation, and housing options that can offer more space for your budget than markets such as Toronto or Vancouver.
For parents, day to day family life matters just as much as affordability. Calgary is made up of distinct communities, many with their own schools, playgrounds, recreation facilities, sports programs, pathways, and local events. Whether you’re looking for an established neighbourhood with mature trees and walkable schools or a newer community designed around young families, there are plenty of options to explore.
Schools are often one of the biggest factors families consider when deciding where to live. Calgary offers a wide range of educational choices through the Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic School District, charter schools, alternative programs, and independent schools. Programs, boundaries, school environments, and academic results can vary significantly from one area to another, which makes researching your options an important part of choosing the right community.
For many families relocating to Calgary, finding the right home means finding the right community and school combination. This guide is designed to help make that search a little easier.
How Calgary’s Public Schools Stack Up Across Alberta
When it comes to education, Calgary isn’t just Alberta’s biggest city; it’s usually front and center in provincial rankings too. While a handful of elite private schools often dominate the very top slots on Alberta school lists, many public elementary schools in Calgary regularly place right alongside them.
From academic scores to enrichment programs, Calgary’s public schools are recognized province-wide for strong performance. Whether you’re looking at the Fraser Institute’s annual reports or local testimonials, you’ll notice Calgary public schools competing closely with (and occasionally outshining) their peers in Edmonton, Red Deer, or smaller centres. For many families, this means you don’t always have to go the private route for a top-tier education; being within the right public school boundary can open doors to some of Alberta’s highest regarded classrooms.
Table of contents
- Moving to Calgary: The Elementary School Search
- How Calgary’s Public Schools Stack Up Across Alberta
- Top Ranked Public Elementary Schools (CBE)
- Top Ranked Catholic Elementary Schools (CCSD)
- Top Ranked Private Elementary Schools
- 2026 Trends: The Rise of the New Suburbs
- Strategy: How to Choose a School for Your Move
- Relocating or Moving Within Calgary?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Top Ranked Public Elementary Schools (CBE)
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) uses a “Designated School” model. In 2026, most top ranked schools are under “Closed” status, meaning they only accept students living directly within their boundaries.
1. Sunalta School (SW)
2026 Fraser Rank: 9.6/10
Communities Served: Sunalta and parts of Scarboro.
Why it’s a Top Choice: A small, high achieving ‘hidden gem’ near the downtown core. It is famous for its inclusive culture and consistently top tier literacy scores.
Real Estate Tip: Homes in this boundary are often historic character houses or modern infills.
2. Hillhurst School (NW)
2026 Fraser Rank: 9.4/10
Communities Served: Hillhurst.
Special Program: Hillhurst also hosts the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program for all of North Calgary.
Why it’s a Top Choice: Located in the heart of Kensington, this school combines a historic sandstone setting with inquiry based learning. It is ideal for families seeking an “urban village” lifestyle.
3. Dr. E.W. Coffin School (NW)
2026 Fraser Rank: 9.1/10
Communities Served: Brentwood.
Why it’s a Top Choice: Nestled in a quiet alcove of Brentwood, this school is known for its ‘whole child’ approach, balancing academic rigor with environmental and performing arts programs.
4. Westgate School (SW)
Communities Served: Westgate, Rosscarrock, and Wildwood.
Focus: One of Calgary’s premier French Immersion hubs.
Why it’s a Top Choice: It’s the perfect entry point for parents who want their children to be bilingual by Grade 6.
5. Jennie Elliott School (SW)
2026 Fraser Rank: 9.6/10
Communities Served: Lakeview, North Glenmore Park, and Garrison Green.
Why it’s a Top Choice: A large, established school that is widely respected for its inquiry based learning model. It is unique in Calgary for hosting a specialized Deaf and Hard of Hearing program, which fosters a high empathy, inclusive environment for all students.
Real Estate Tip: The community of Lakeview is a ‘forever home’ neighborhood. It is one of the most stable real estate markets in Calgary, directly adjacent to the Glenmore Reservoir.
Top Ranked Catholic Elementary Schools (CCSD)
Catholic schools are open to all faiths that support the Catholic mission. They are often the first choice for families in Calgary’s newest suburbs.
1. Prince of Peace School (SE)
2026 Fraser Rank: 8.3/10
Communities Served: Auburn Bay and Mahogany.
Why it’s a Top Choice: This modern K-9 facility serves the Lake Communities of the SE. It is highly sought after for its state of the art facilities and strong community involvement.
2. St. Joan of Arc School (SW)
Communities Served: West Springs and Wentworth.
Why it’s a Top Choice: Serving the affluent West End, this K-9 school is known for its academic discipline and active parent volunteer base.
3. St. Sylvester School (NW)
2026 Fraser Rank: 8.6/10
Communities Served: Silver Springs (Regular), plus Tuscany, Royal Oak, and Rocky Ridge for the French stream.
Why it’s a Top Choice: St. Sylvester is a specialized Single Track French Immersion school. This means the entire school culture, from morning announcements to hallway posters,is in French, providing an exceptionally immersive experience.
Proximity Perk: It is nestled right against the Bow River pathways, making it a favorite for active families who love the NW park system.
Top Ranked Private Elementary Schools
Private schools consistently hold the highest academic scores in the province. Admission usually requires an entrance exam and tuition.
| School Name | 2026 Rank | Primary Community | Top Feature |
| Webber Academy | 10.0/10 | Aspen Woods (SW) | University prep from JK-12. |
| Calgary French & Int’l | 9.2/10 | West Springs (SW) | Trilingual immersion (French/Spanish/English). |
| Rundle College | 9.0/10 | Aspen Woods (SW) | Individualized “pathway” learning. |
| Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) | 9.4/10 | Just south of Calgary (Okotoks area), with city wide busing | STS is the only school in the region offering the Full IB Continuum (Primary, Middle, and Diploma programs) on a sprawling 220 acre natural campus. |
| Clear Water Academy | 8.8/10 | Currie (SW) | Classical academics & Catholic values. |
2026 Trends: The Rise of the New Suburbs
While established areas like Edgemont and Varsity remain academic strongholds, the 2026 data shows a massive rise in quality for South schools.
- Mahogany & Auburn Bay: Schools like Mahogany Elementary and Divine Mercy are quickly climbing the rankings as these communities mature and gain more permanent facilities.
- Evanston & Sage Hill: The Northwest suburbs have seen a surge in ‘Traditional Learning Centres’ (TLC) which focus on structured, formal education styles.
Strategy: How to Choose a School for Your Move
- Map the Catchment First: Before you fall in love with a kitchen, use the following resources to see which school serves that specific address.
- Calgary Board of Education (CBE) – “Find a School” Tool
- Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) – Attendance Areas
- Shelley’s Pro Tip: The City of Calgary knows where the schools are, but only the CBE knows if they are full! Always cross reference your home address on the CBE Find a School tool to check for ‘Overflow Notices.’ A house might be across the street from a school, but if that school is at capacity, your child might be designated to a different facility 15 minutes away.”
- The Lottery Reality: In 2026, many CBE schools are under a lottery system. If you move after September, your child may be placed in an ‘Overflow’ school until a spot opens up.
- Alternative Programs: If your local community school isn’t a fit, look for Charter Schools or Private options which often provide busing from multiple neighborhoods. If you aren’t happy with your local boundary school, you can also look for Alternative Programs. These include: French Immersion, Spanish Bilingual, Traditional Learning Centres (TLC), Science or Arts Centred Learning. These programs have their own unique “catchment maps” that are much wider. Often, a student can live in the Southeast and be bussed to a specialized program in the Southwest.
Relocating or Moving Within Calgary?
Moving to Calgary and trying to choose the right area?
Schools, commute, lifestyle, home prices, and community feel all matter. I help families relocating to Calgary narrow down the areas that fit their budget and life stage before they start viewing homes.
Reach out to Shelley Munnings for friendly relocation guidance: click the messenger icon in the bottom right of your screen, or schedule a call
Frequently Asked Questions
Calgary elementary school rankings are primarily based on academic performance, especially results from Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) in key subjects like math, language arts, and science. Organizations such as the Fraser Institute analyze this data and assign schools a score out of 10. While rankings offer useful insight into academic outcomes, they don’t capture factors such as school culture, extracurriculars, or teacher engagement.
Several Calgary elementary schools consistently receive strong academic ratings and positive feedback from families. Schools frequently mentioned for strong performance include those in communities such as Brentwood, Varsity, West Springs, Aspen Woods, and Arbour Lake. While rankings such as the Fraser Institute report cards provide useful academic comparisons, many parents also consider factors like school culture, extracurricular programs, and proximity to home.
If you’re looking for schools with the highest academic performance based on recent rankings, these are often among the top choices:
Sunalta School — 9.6/10
Hillhurst School — 9.3/10
Briar Hill School — 8.7/10
Louis Riel School — 8.7/10
Altadore School — 8.6/10
These schools are recognized not only for their strong Provincial Achievement Test results but also for their supportive communities and active parent involvement. Keep in mind, the “best” school can mean something different for every family—what matters most is finding a good fit for your child’s unique needs.
No. Rankings are helpful, but they’re only part of the bigger picture. Families relocating to Calgary should also consider school environment, teaching philosophy, extracurricular programs, class sizes, and how well a school aligns with their child’s needs. Visiting schools, talking to other parents, and exploring neighbourhoods can provide valuable added context.
A knowledgeable Calgary REALTOR® can be incredibly valuable when choosing a school district. Because school boundaries affect eligibility, your REALTOR® can help guide you toward neighbourhoods with access to the programs and schools that best serve your children; whether that’s French immersion, Catholic education, a charter program, or a top ranked public school. This ensures your home search supports both lifestyle and educational goals.
Families can start with the Fraser Institute’s ranking reports at compareschoolrankings.org. The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) websites also offer school profiles, boundary maps, and registration details. For curriculum information and learning outcomes, the Alberta Education website provides excellent resources for each grade level.
School reputation can influence housing demand in certain neighbourhoods, especially among families with young children. Homes located within the attendance boundaries of well-regarded schools may attract strong interest from buyers. However, real estate values are influenced by many factors including location, amenities, transportation access, and overall housing supply.
Most Calgary public and Catholic schools prioritize enrollment for students living within the school’s designated attendance boundary. Families who live within the boundary generally have priority registration. Some schools may accept out of area students if space is available. Alternative programs such as French Immersion or Spanish Bilingual programs may have different application processes.
Provincial Achievement Tests are standardized exams written by Alberta students in Grade 6 and Grade 9. These tests measure student learning in subjects such as math, English language arts, science, and social studies. PAT results are one of the academic indicators used in school rankings like the Fraser Institute report cards.
Yes. Families relocating to Calgary can register their children in public or Catholic schools once they have proof of address within the school’s boundary. Many schools also have welcome centers to help new families complete the registration process.
School rankings can change from year to year depending on student test results, cohort sizes, and other academic indicators. Because of this, rankings are best used as a general reference rather than a permanent measure of a school’s quality.
Calgary offers several types of school systems. Public schools are operated by the Calgary Board of Education, while Catholic schools are managed by the Calgary Catholic School District and include faith based instruction. Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently with specialized academic approaches or teaching models.
Yes, Calgary’s public schools are generally well regarded and consistently perform well compared with many other regions in Canada. The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) offers a wide range of academic and alternative programs, and many schools receive strong academic ratings on provincial assessments.
Communities near Varsity Acres School include Varsity, Brentwood, Dalhousie, and Silver Springs. These northwest communities are very popular with families and offer a mix of established homes and convenient access to parks and the University of Calgary area.
Communities near West Springs School include West Springs, Aspen Woods, Cougar Ridge, and Springbank Hill. These southwest communities are especially popular with relocating families and offer newer homes, good access to downtown, and proximity to the mountains.
Communities near Altadore School include Altadore, Garrison Woods, North Glenmore Park, and Lakeview. These inner city communities are known for walkability, parks, and family friendly streets.
Communities near Griffith Woods School include Discovery Ridge, Springbank Hill, and Signal Hill. This area is popular with families who want close access to nature, pathways, and a quiet community feel.