Calgary Academy is a designated special education private school located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[2] It offers academics from kindergarten through grade 12, with the kindergarten program opening in 2019. It was founded on September 1, 1981, by Jim Grey, a Calgarian businessman. Calgary Academy's first class graduated in 1987.[3] Its core principles are respect, enthusiasm, altruism, commitment and honesty.[4][5]
As of 2023, it has more than 700 students on a 16-acre campus, and 150 staff members.[3]
The school has three programs: Academy, which designed for children with learning difficulties, disabilities, or ADHD;[6] Collegiate, which focuses on post-secondary preparation, and Blended+, which combines in-person and online learning.[4][7]
It has a 97.3% graduation rate, within three years of students entering Grade 10.[8] As of 2022, the 93% of Calgary Academy students pursued post-secondary education after graduating.[9]
History
Calgary Academy was founded in 1981 out of a need for a school for students with unique learning needs, similar to Denver Academy at the time, to be created in Calgary. Originally, it was operated out of rented classrooms, relocating in 1994 to its current campus.[3][4]
In 2010, Calgary Academy held its first Dig Pink volleyball tournament to raise money for breast cancer research, with teams from across Calgary participating. It has since become an annual event that has raised over $160,000.[3][10]
Alumni
One notable alum is 2019 graduate Khobe Clarke, an actor known for his performances in television shows Firefly Lane and Yellowjackets, and in the upcoming Cruel Intentions series.[11][12]
