Public secondary school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
North Trail High School is a senior high school located in the northeast community of Coventry Hills in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The school's name is derived from the Siksika First Nation with historical significance from trails used by First Nations ancestors.
North Trail High School offers the Advanced Placement (AP) program, French and Spanish second languages, and a variety of extracurricular activities. The school is part of the Calgary Board of Education's public school system.
History
The school had been planned for almost a decade before beginning construction, with students living in this area of the city having to go to schools several kilometer south such as John G. Diefenbaker High School and Crescent Heights High School, which could have up to a 50 minute travel time.[1]
The Calgary Board of Education announced in December 2020 that construction will begin in early. The school finished construction around July 2023 opened for students on August 31, 2023.
Originally given the placeholder name of North Calgary High School, the official name was announced by the Calgary Board of Education Trustees on April 7, 2023, after consultations with a local First Nations elder, citing Siksika history. [2][3][4] The grand opening ceremony of the school was held on April 26, 2024.
Academics
North Trail High School operates under the Alberta Program of Studies, which provides a comprehensive framework for curriculum development and educational practices in the province of Alberta.
Advanced placement
North Trail High School offers a selection of advanced placement (AP) courses, providing students with opportunities to engage in college-level coursework while still in high school. These courses are designed to challenge students and allow them to earn college credit based on their performance in the AP exams. Students can choose to engage in one or more areas of study of their choice and are offered by the College Board. North Trail offers AP courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, English, social studies, French language, art and design, and computer science. AP courses are generally available starting in grade 11 and require students to have an average above 80% in the prerequisite course, as well as a teacher recommendation.
CSSI
North Trail High School is one of the few high schools in Calgary to offer the Communication, Sensory, Social Skills, and Integration (CSSI) program, a specialized educational service designed to support students with complex learning, behavioral, and medical needs.
Clubs and extracurriculars
North Trail High School offers a range of different clubs including Best Buddies, speech, debate, Diversity Council, Key Club, dance, robotics, culinary, Dungeons & Dragons, yearbook, pottery, and GSA. North Trail High School has its own student-run newspaper named "The Trail Tribune".
Athletics
North Trail currently competes in the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association. North Trail offers a variety of different athletic teams including football, soccer, basketball, swimming, dance, volleyball, curling, cross country, golf, field hockey, wrestling, and badminton. In 2024, the junior boys volleyball team earned their first city championship banner in Division 2. Later, the badminton team won Division 3 Championships before securing their third championship as Division 3 volleyball city champions.
References
