A CALGARY AHER CALAGARYLD DI REHERALDCTED EDNEIGHBOURSITORIAL PR SPECIALOJECT SECTION CALGARYHERALD.COM /SCHOOLS THURSDAY, MARCHTHURSD 20, 2014AY, MARCH 24, 2011 — Adrian Shellard “I said, ‘one day I’m coming back and I’m going to be a teacher here,’” says Foundations for the Future Charter Academy teacher, and former student, Marja Erkens. Charting a winning course Alberta’s system Clarke with Alberta Education. School, Connect Charter School away simply due to high demand “At the time legislation was The government (formerly Calgary Science School), for charter education in Alberta. of charter schools passed, the government believed Almadina Language Charter Acad- Many charter school proponents that choice in education was a believed that choice in emy and Foundations for the Future hope a recent change to legislation marks 20 years paramount issue, and it certainly — have quickly become renowned will help address that problem, By Joel Schlesinger remains one of the cornerstones of education was a in the city for providing innovative Clarke says. In 2012, the Alberta chartered school education in the paramount issue. education, he adds. government increased the length arja Erkens province,” he says. And each of them has a unique of charter terms from five years to vowed she’d Alberta is the only province to — Randy Clarke, focus that makes them attractive to 15, which should help successful return one day. fully fund charter schools. It also Alberta Education certain cross sections of Calgary schools plan for future growth to Several years provides some funding for home- students and parents, says Clarke. accommodate more students. later, the former schooling students. “Almadina’s focus, for example, “This change gives them a bit Mstudent of Foundations for the Fu- Many charter schools started list for kindergarten within the first is providing English as a second more security to attract staff and ture Charter Academy made good small, often by groups of parents two or three weeks after their birth, language education,” he says. students knowing they’re going to on her promise. who foresaw a different way of edu- they’re probably not going to get “Who would be attracted to a be around for that length of time,” “I remember in Grade 9, I was cating their children, says Clarke. in,” Gray says school like that? As it turns, says Clarke. quite sad there was no high school Among the first was Foundations While Foundations emphasizes students from Asia, the Middle East At Foundations, the new legisla- at Foundations at the time, so I said, for the Future. leadership and character education, and Africa in high numbers.” tion is seen as a welcome develop- ‘One day I’m coming back and I’m “Parents were disillusioned for charter schools can run the gamut of While these schools have specific ment — though Gray says the hope going to be a teacher here,’ ” various reasons with the education educational approaches and special- charters — such as offering arts- or is the province eventually will pass says Erkens, who teaches art at their kids were getting in the public izations. It’s that uniqueness that science-focused curriculum — they legislation that will create perma- one of Foundations’ seven Calgary system,” says Judy Gray, co-ordi- makes them a charter school. cannot hand-pick students. nent charters. campuses. nator of school development with “A charter proposal constitutes a “Charter schools have some- Still, other recent initiatives from “I remember my first day as a Foundations for the Future. charter school,” Clarke says. times been criticized about what is the province, including increased teacher; it was like coming home.” In the case of Foundations for the “It could be a group of concerned perceived to be an opportunity to funding to renovate and purchase Erkens is one of thousands of Future, what started out with a few parents. It could be a group of uni- self-select students who come to the facilities rather than lease, are steps students in Alberta who fondly re- dozen children in a basement in the versity professors. It could be any school and turn away students who in the right direction. member their time at charter public 1990s has evolved into one of the imaginable group of people who felt might be challenged in one way or “These are huge decisions made schools since legislation was passed most successful public schools in that education could be provided in a another,” Clarke says. by government in support of a pro- 20 years ago allowing for their cre- the province, with more than 3,300 more innovative, different way, and But legislation stipulates they gram that has been hugely success- ation. kindergarten to Grade 12 students at that they could demonstrate in a rela- cannot choose students. ful,” Gray says. “It is buoying the Today, 13 charter schools exist in campuses across the city. tively short time frame that education “We don’t do any of the suitabil- enthusiasm of those of us who work Alberta, including six in Calgary. All Perhaps the greatest indication of would be improved for students.” ity stuff,” says Gray about Founda- at charter schools.” are highly regarded by students, par- its success is its waiting list, which Indeed, Calgary’s charter schools tions. “It is first come, first served ents and educators for their innova- currently stands at more than 9,000. — Calgary Girls’ School, Calgary and it is geographic.” MORE INSIDE: Tips for entering tive approach to learning, says Randy “If you don’t get your child on the Arts Academy, Westmount Charter Still, many children are turned a charter school, Page 5 Faith-based schools Single-gender schools Online learning Creative forces INSIDE offer education and address different ways lets students follow thrive in arts-based TODAY build community boys and girls learn their own schedule schools PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 6 West Island College Junior and Senior High School WIC Learn Play Grow Belong | Imagine the Possibilities Discover Languages at West Island College - see our ad on Page 3. Grades 7 - 12 30 Years of Excellence | www.westislandcollege.ab.ca | 403-444-0023 CALCH129696_1_1 NS2 Thursday, March 20, 2014 ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLING calgaryherald.com SUCCESS STORIES Girls’ school helped athlete By Alex Frazer-Harrison eorgia Burgess, 16, has her skis on the ground and her Geyes on the prize — Olympic glory in 2018. And the elite skier says she owes a lot of her success in sports and academics to her time attending the Alice Jamieson Girls’ Academy. Burgess entered the all-girls pro- gram in Grade 4, though she was already familiar with the school; the academy is in Stanley Jones School, where she’d attended since kindergarten. “The first year of the all-girls program, my older sister attended the school and my mom had a good Georgia role in seeing the Burgess program develop, so it was a natural thing,” Burgess recalls. “Being in an all-girls program really helped me develop as a stu- dent and as a person because it gave me a really comfortable place to be. It provided a safe, comfortable zone — Adrian Shellard where I never felt I was judged.” Interim principal Reva Faber with some of her students at the Calgary Jewish Academy which offers programs from preschool to Grade 9. This comfort was helped by the fact everyone wore school uniforms, Burgess says. “That took away the pressure to be dressed the best,” she says. “When Faith-based schools you are all dressed exactly the same, you look at each other for who you are and not for the superficial stuff. That really helps in building confi- dence in a person.” deliver rounded education She’s also quite confident on the ski hill since focusing her interests Christian Discipleship courses (more on the slopes in Grade 6. Building sense widely known as religious studies) “When I was younger, I did every of community that include memory verses, Bible sport imaginable,” she says. “I kind study, apologetics (the defence of a of narrowed my sports life into one of the goals position, often religious) and world skiing when I was in Grade 6. It religions. was the sport that challenged me the By Meghan Jessiman Students also research the tradi- most. I was, thankfully, gifted as an tions and practices of other religions, athlete and I pick up things really ver tried asking a teenager especially in the higher grades when quick.” how their day at school was? the concept of critical thinking is a Burgess, who turns 17 in late E If so, chances are the reply main focus. Respect for all world re- March, competes in events such as was less than enthusiastic. A mum- ligions is of the utmost importance, slalom, giant slalom, super-G and bled “fine” is a common refrain. says Fuchs. downhill, and recently scored top- While going to school can seem All this is not to say students of a five finishes in the Sport Chek U18 like a chore for some, Calgary’s faith-based institution don’t come Canadian Championships. faith-based schools are striving to home and tell their parents their day “I’ve found quite a bit of success provide a different kind of experi- was “fine.” provincially and within Western ence to their students. Teenagers are still teenagers, after Canada … I’ve found the podium a Beyond the standard knowledge all. But there is something to be said few times,” says Burgess, just before and socialization gained from typical for the added element of community heading off to another U18 champi- elementary and high school experi- nerstone in most subject areas of the experience that is an extension of the and belonging these schools are onship in Denver.