Back to School in Chestermere: Public & Private Education Near Your New Home

Nestled just east of Calgary, the city of Chestermere has a range of educational institutions, each with its own unique character and approach to learning. Whether you're a parent seeking the perfect fit for your child's education or simply curious about the educational options available in Chestermere, it helps to be aware of the various schools and districts that make this community a hub of academic excellence. From innovative teaching methodologies to a rich array of extracurricular activities, join us as we delve into Chestermere's local education options.

Public School Districts Serving Chestermere

Although Chestermere is technically a suburb of Calgary, its public schools are administered by the Rocky View School Division. There are five public schools in close proximity to the Rocky View County community of waterfront homes and condominiums in Chestermere:

• East Lake School (K-6)
• Prairie Waters Elementary School (K-6)
• Rainbow Creek Elementary School (K-6)
• Chestermere Lake Middle School (7-9)
• Chestermere High School (10-12)

East Lake School is located on the southeastern side of the lake, about halfway between the neighbourhood of East Chestermere and the Kinniburgh neighbourhood. Prairie Waters Elementary School is directly west of the area that would be considered Downtown Chestermere, close to the Westmere neighbourhood. Rainbow Creek Elementary is on the southwest side of the lake, in the Rainbow Falls neighbourhood.

The city's middle school is also located in the Rainbow Falls part of town but much closer to the lake. The high school is located east of the city proper, in a largely undeveloped rural area. However, there are some new construction homes being built as this area is under development as a residential zone.

There are also two Catholic public schools in Chestermere. These are administered by the Calgary Catholic School District. Students in kindergarten through 6th grade attend the Our Lady of Wisdom School, located in the Rainbow Falls neighbourhood. Catholic students in grades 7 through 12 attend St. Gabriel the Archangel School, which is located next to Centennial Park in the Westmere neighbourhood.

Chestermere Charter Schools

Alberta is the only province in Canada that allows for the existence of charter schools, more specifically, non-profit schools that act independently of the local school district. These are still public schools that do not charge tuition but often have a different or more rigorous way approach to education. These can include everything from differing pedagogy styles to emphasis on English as a second language (ESL) or trade school training. Although there are no charter schools currently in Chestermere, there are 24 charter school campuses in the Calgary area school directory for parents to choose from.

The Calgary Classical Academy is located in the Bridgeland area in Calgary, on the north side of the Bow River. The school is about a 20-minute drive from Chestermere via the Trans-Canada Highway/AB-1W. Students attending this charter school receive a rigorous academic and liberal arts education. It currently serves grades K through 6, with plans to expand to grades K through 8 in the 2023/2024 school year. It eventually plans to offer a full K through 12 education plan.

Westmount Charter School in Calgary offers education for gifted students. It has an elementary campus (K-4) in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Calgary and an upper school (5-12) in the University Heights neighbourhood. The teachers and staff at Westmount are specially trained to work with gifted students. The school defines "gifted" as an asynchronous student who might be advanced in one area of development (intellectual, physical, or emotional) but might be trailing in other areas. Westmount is continually exploring new ways to educate students that fall into this category.

Chestermere Private Schools

Chestermere has a number of private school options available for students. Third Academy is the closest private school to Chestermere, with the eastern campus for this school just south of the Trans-Canada Highway on the outskirts of Calgary. This private school specifically serves special needs students between the ages of 5 and 19 with varying degrees of disability. Third Academy is experienced in teaching students with various types of learning disorders, including autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The school serves first through twelfth grades and offers a low student-teacher ratio in every classroom.

Delta West Academy (DWA) is a private college preparatory school for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is less than 10 minutes to the southwest of Chestermere, in the community of Janet. Every class at DWA is designed to enrich and challenge each student's academic experiences. Examples of specialized lessons include 4th graders publishing their own illustrated fairy tales or high school students interviewing Shakespeare characters for English class.

Eastside Christian Academy is a private Protestant school for students in grades K through 9. Located in Southeast Calgary, this school is only about a 10-minute drive to the west of Chestermere. It has a student-teacher ratio of about 15:1, and around 90 students are enrolled each year. The school incorporates teachings from the Bible into every subject, from math and English to social studies and liberal arts.

Colleges & Universities Near Chestermere

Living in Chestermere offers residents plenty of higher education opportunities. Prairie Western College is only about a 15-minute drive to the west of Chestermere. The campus is located between the Marlborough and Meridian neighbourhoods. This small public college offers diplomas in areas such as Accounting and Payroll Administration, Business Administration, and Medical Office Assistance. Diplomas are one-year degrees that allow students to immediately enter the workforce. The Business Administration section of the school also offers a two-year diploma.

The Advance Institute of Wellness & Esthetics is a private college located in Chestermere, on the northeast side of the lake. This school offers diplomas in barbering, hairstyling, nail technician and esthetics coursework. They also offer a Masters of Aesthetics degree that provides certification in a wide range of cosmetic procedures, including dermabrasion, microblading, manicure/pedicure procedures, and laser resurfacing.

Cambrooks College is an affordable college located in Downtown Calgary. It offers a Certificate for Barbering, seven diploma programs on topics ranging from Business Administration to Pharmacy Assistant, and advanced diplomas in Addiction and Mental Health as well as Child and Youth Services. The school also offers a professional diploma in Financial Planning and Canadian Securities.

Columbia College Calgary is a two-year institution that offers diplomas and certificates in several program areas. These include Accounting & Business, Child Care, Dental Assisting, Education, English Language Learning, and Health Care. It has an annual student body of around 4,000 enrollees. The college is located in the Mayland Heights neighbourhood of Calgary, about 20 minutes west of Chestermere.

Plenty of Educational Opportunities for Chestermere Residents

From early childhood education to high school and beyond, Chestermere offers a range of educational opportunities that cater to the diverse needs and interests of its residents. Whether it's the early childhood education that kickstarts a young learner's educational career or the specialized coursework of a class at one of the local colleges or universities, there is something for everyone in Chestermere. The biggest problem with the educational landscape of Chestermere is simply residents having to choose between so many available options and opportunities.