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Independent schools

Learn about Alberta’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 independent schools and find information to help you choose or establish an independent school.

Overview

Parents in Alberta have the right to choose an independent school for their child. More than 160 independent school authorities operate about 230 schools and serve more than 48,000 students. Find a list of Alberta independent (private) schools.

Government does not specify the amount of tuition that an independent school may charge for Grades 1 to 12. Independent schools may charge tuition either on a per-student basis or provide discounts for multiple children from one family. Parents should contact the independent school for information about their tuition policy.

Types of independent schools

There are 3 types of independent schools and 2 special designations for independent schools in Alberta.

  • Registered independent schools

    A registered independent school is a school registered as an independent school under Section 29(1) of the Education Act. These schools must meet the requirements outlined in the act and in the Independent Schools Regulation sections (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (21). Registered independent schools are not eligible for government funding.

    Registered independent schools are not required to use certificated teachers or to teach the Alberta programs of study (curriculum).

    Registered independent schools choosing not to follow the Alberta programs of study must maintain a list of subjects to be offered and an outline of the major skills and knowledge areas to be learned by the students. These must be consistent with the requirements for student learning established by the Minister of Education.

  • Accredited independent schools (non funded)

    An accredited independent school is a registered independent school accredited under Section 29(2) of the Education Act. These schools must meet the requirements of a registered independent school and must meet additional requirements outlined in the act and the Independent Schools Regulation sections (7), (8), (9), (10) and (11).

    Accredited (non funded) independent schools must use certificated teachers but are not required to teach the Alberta programs of study.

    Accredited independent schools choosing not to follow the Alberta programs of study must maintain a list of subjects to be offered and an outline of the major skills and knowledge areas to be learned by the students. These must be consistent with the requirements for student learning established by the Minister of Education.

  • Accredited funded independent schools

    An accredited funded independent school is an accredited independent school that receives a grant under the Education Grants Regulation. To be eligible for funding, accredited schools must meet additional requirements in the Independent Schools Regulation sections (7), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), and (22). 

    Unless exempted by the Minister of Education and Childcare, the school must operate without funding for at least one year in compliance with all the additional requirements that a funded independent school must meet. The most recent applicable funding rates are outlined in the Funding Manual for School Authorities.

    Accredited funded independent schools must:

    • use certificated teachers
    • teach the Alberta programs of study
    • have a principal who holds a leadership certificate (LQS).

  • Special designations

    Designated special education private schools

    Designated special education independent schools are funded independent schools that have been given special approval and funding by the Minister of Education and Childcare, where the sole purpose of the school is to serve students who are identified with a mild, moderate or severe disability. Additional requirements for these schools are outlined in the Independent Schools Regulation section (14).

    Heritage language schools

    Heritage language schools are a type of accredited independent school that offers approved or authorized language and culture courses outside regular school hours to students who receive their basic education program at another school authority. A heritage language school may be funded or non funded. If funded, a person who holds an Alberta leadership certificate (LQS) must be designated as the principal and audited financial statements are required.

Monitoring and evaluation

A registered or accredited independent school (funded or non funded) must submit an operating plan each year to the Minister of Education and Childcare, in the form prescribed by the minister. This operating plan must be submitted by May 15, before the school year for which the plan is to have effect.

Accredited funded independent schools are monitored each year by reviewing:

  • annual operating plans and budgets
  • audited financial statements
  • 3-Year Education Plan (3YEP) and Annual Education Results Report (AERR)

Government staff regularly conduct formal on-site monitoring evaluations for public assurance and accountability.

Information regarding the preparation and submission of the 3YEP and AERR can be found in the Funding Manual for School Authorities.

How to choose an independent school

When choosing an independent school, parents should consider:

  • if the independent school is registered, accredited or accredited and eligible for funding by government
  • how well parts of the school environment fit the specific needs of your child, such as:
    • location
    • size
    • pupil/teacher ratio
    • academic focus and rigour
    • breadth of courses offered
    • specialized programs such as faith based, music, art, theatre or athletics
    • your child's abilities and learning style
  • if the school has a transportation system or if you will be responsible for transporting your child to and from school
  • the amount of tuition charged at the school and payment/refund policy
  • if its philosophy and policies, such as school discipline, suspension and expulsion, meet with your expectations
  • how the school’s values align with your family’s values and lifestyle
  • how the school integrates its values into the curriculum

To learn more about a school’s values, read their mission statement and speak with the principal and staff.

We recommend visiting the prospective school and carefully reading the school policies and procedures to ensure you understand the expectations for parents and students.

  • Enrolment

    The person responsible for the operations of an independent school can refuse to enrol a student. However, once an accredited funded independent school enrols a student, government requires the independent school to provide appropriate education programming for that student for the school year in which that student is enrolled.

  • Students with disabilities

    Independent schools are not required to enrol students with disabilities.

    Independent schools that do accept student(s) with special needs can access severe disability funding grants to support individual program costs and required services.

    There are also a number of designated special education independent schools in Alberta.

  • School councils

    If the parents of currently enrolled students do not constitute a majority of the members on the board of the independent school (Independent Schools Regulation, section 15), then an accredited funded independent school must establish a parent advisory council. This council is a group of parents of students enrolled in the school who provide advice to the principal and the operating board of the independent school about matters relating to the school.

  • Student records

    Independent schools must maintain records of student enrolment in a manner acceptable to the Minister of Education and Childcare. The Student Record Regulation specifies the information that should and should not be contained in the student record.

  • Privacy

    The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) applies to personal information that is collected, used or disclosed during a commercial activity. PIPA specifically includes the operation of an independent school as a “commercial activity."

  • Home education and shared responsibility programs

    Accredited funded independent schools are not required to supervise home education programs. However, accredited funded independent schools can supervise home education and shared responsibility programs if they meet requirements.

    Parents who would like an accredited funded independent school to supervise a home education program are required to notify the independent school using the Home Education Notification Form.

  • Discipline and expulsion

    Independent schools must develop a policy for the discipline of students and for the suspension and expulsion of students that incorporates the principles of fundamental justice. They must provide copies of the policy to the students enrolled in the school and their parents. (Independent Schools Regulation, Section 6).

    The independent school remains responsible for a student’s education program for the remainder of the school year when a student is expelled and must ensure that the student has access to an education program for the rest of the school year (Independent School Regulation, Section 17).

  • Transportation funding

    Accredited funded independent schools can claim transportation funding for eligible students. Similar to other independent school education grants, funding is provided at 70% the rate of public, separate and charter schools from Grades 1 to 12, and 100% the rate of public, separate and charter schools for ECS children.

    Transportation funding is provided in accordance with the Funding Manual for School Authorities.

  • Minister of Education review

    Under Section 43 of the Education Act, parents do not have the right to ask the Minister of Education and Childcare to review an independent school authority’s decision. Independent school authorities are encouraged to establish appeal mechanisms for parents of children enrolled in their schools.

Resources

How to establish an independent school

To request an application for a registered, accredited or heritage language school, submit requests to [email protected].

New school applications are received throughout the school year.

The deadline for submission to begin operating in September of any given calendar year is October 31 of the previous calendar year and will be noted on the application form. Application process and requirements are further described in the Fact Sheet: Establishing an Independent School.

Additional requirements

Contact

Connect with Alberta Education for more information about independent schools:

Phone: 780-415-2414
Toll free: dial 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

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