Applications for new collegiate schools
The department is refining the application process and requirements for those aiming to open a collegiate school in 2025-2026. Interested applicants can contact the Collegiate School Accreditation Team to develop an application that meets program requirements:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-422-9423
Toll free: 310-000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Overview
In partnership with post-secondary institutions and industry partners, collegiate schools bring together students with similar interests to benefit from enriched programming, specialized facilities and enhanced learning opportunities through a unique delivery model.
Collegiate schools offer specialized programming in a particular subject or field and provide all students with a clear pathway into post-secondary education and careers in their chosen field.
The schools can be public (public, separate, francophone, public charter) or accredited funded independent (private).
They are given special approval and startup funding, if applicable, by the Minister of Education. This could include a one-time grant in the amount of $50,000 to support the completion of applications.
A collegiate school must continue to meet the requirements of its original school type.
Essential components
Collegiate schools are intended to provide specialized programming in a particular subject area or field and to provide students clearer pathways into post-secondary education and careers in their chosen field.
Essential components of a collegiate include:
- specific subject area(s) or field(s) of focus
- formal agreement with a post-secondary institution/institutions
- provision of experiential learning opportunities and work experience
- dual credit programming and/or bridging opportunities into post-secondary
How to establish a collegiate school
For applicants using a pre-existing facility, initial application documents are required up to 2 years before the collegiate school intends to begin operations.
Applications for new public charter schools and accredited funded independent schools may be completed and submitted simultaneously with the collegiate status application.
However, approval of the school application does not guarantee approval of the collegiate status application.
Post-secondary institutions interested in partnering with an existing or new school authority to operate a collegiate school can initiate the collegiate school status application process.
Contact
For more information regarding the collegiate school status application process and requirements or to request an application package, please contact Alberta Education:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-9423
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]