The 5 Best Elementary Schools in Calgary with Quality Teaching Methods
Finding the right place for your child’s early education can feel completely overwhelming, especially if you’re relocating or navigating a new school system.
You definitely want a campus that balances strong academics with a supportive community where your child can truly thrive. Luckily, Calgary offers some incredible options. Sorting through them takes time, though.
To make your life easier, we scouted the top choices across the city. Here’s our honest, parent-focused guide to finding the best elementary schools in Calgary for your family’s lifestyle.
How much does enrolling in elementary school cost in Calgary?
Enrolling in elementary school in Calgary is usually free in public and charter schools. Private schools cost around $3,000 to over $18,000, depending entirely on whether you choose the public system or a private institution.
| School Type | Annual Estimated Costs |
| Public & Charter Schools | Free tuition (Ancillary fees range from $20 to $1,450) |
| Private Schools | $3,000 to over $18,000 |
| International Students | $12,000 to $13,000 tuition per year |
1. Westgate School
Website:https://westgate.cbe.ab.ca/
Address: 150 Westminster Dr SW
Contact: Phone 403-777-8420 | Fax 587-933-9926 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM-3:15 PM; Friday 7:30 AM-12:30 PM
Westgate School hosts vibrant cultural events that take center stage, going all out to bring French-Canadian traditions to life. This happens through seasonal celebrations like their annual Carnaval d’hiver.
Their immersive environment beautifully complements their dedicated Early French Immersion track, which runs from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Local parents highly praised their modern Neurolinguistic Approach for teaching a second language, helping young minds pick up speech patterns naturally.
They also feature a dynamic music program run by two dedicated specialists. It’s a massive bonus for an elementary campus, because this setup ensures kids receive a well-rounded arts education right alongside their language studies.
On the downside, you must deal with rigid, boundary-based registration limits. These rules make it tough for out-of-district families to get in.
Additionally, if your kids stay over the lunch break, you’ll have to pay an extra annual midday supervision fee.
Customer Reviews
A welcoming school community
Went here for six years, absolutely loved it. Not as personal an approach as charter school but the teachers are great. Make friends easily, practically no inequality whatsoever. Sometimes drop by on some events to meet old friends.
- Serge Griga (Probably) | Google Review
Strong teacher support and a positive school environment
great school my daughter has been going for 6 years the best experiments it gets old at times but the teachers are amazing and school amazing the principals are also great Mr. Julien teacher in grade 6 was the best of all he did very well in his teaching
- Mitra Ez | Google Review
2. Cappy Smart School
Website:https://cappysmart.cbe.ab.ca/
Address: 5808 Madigan Dr NE
Contact: 403-777-8110 | Fax 587-933-9764 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:55 AM-3:00 PM; Friday 7:55 AM-12:00 PM
Cappy Smart School grounds its learning experience in values derived from deep historical community ties.
To start, it carries a unique legacy named after James “Cappy” Smart. He was Calgary’s legendary fire chief who served for over three decades, and this strong sense of local identity balances their modern classroom setups.
The school has dedicated time for reading and writing instruction. Plus, the teachers work with students from different age groups together.
They also do an incredible job of integrating diverse learning tech, giving kids daily access to everything from iPads to green screens to personalize their journeys.
They even follow the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, so students gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives.
That said, their yellow school bus transportation logistics create issues as parents have to re-register for bus service every single school year. If you miss the deadline, administrative processing takes up to six weeks.
3. Queen Elizabeth School
Website:https://queenelizabeth.cbe.ab.ca/
Address: 402 18 St NW
Contact: Phone 403-777-6789 | Fax 587-933-9872 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:15 AM-4:00 PM; Friday 8:15 AM-4:00 PM
Queen Elizabeth School gives older students an incredible head start through its Career & Technology Foundations (CTF) program.
This inquiry-based track allows kids to actively personalize their learning around real-world passions, seamlessly pairing fine arts residencies with hands-on STEM opportunities.
To support its diverse student body, the school also integrates tailored instruction in English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Furthermore, the campus maintains a close partnership with the neighbouring high school, making the eventual transition out of grade six exceptionally smooth for graduating students.
On the downside, the neighbourhood layout creates a logistical headache during peak hours. The local pick-up and drop-off zones become highly congested, often forcing parents to park blocks away to avoid school-zone traffic jams.
Families must also budget for separate mandatory lunch supervision fees if their children plan to stay on campus during the midday break.
4. Richmond School
Website:https://richmond.cbe.ab.ca/
Address: 2701 22 St SW
Contact: 403-777-8380 | Fax 587-933-9877 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:45 PM-3:30 AM; Friday 7:45 AM-1:30 PM
Richmond School brings early computer science concepts to life through an interactive online coding platform called RoboGarden, giving young kids a fantastic introduction to digital innovation.
This technical edge pairs beautifully with a comprehensive, four-pillar health and wellness framework designed to teach healthy eating, physical movement, positive relationships, and mental resilience.
To bridge home and school learning, the web-based Iris application allows students to track personal goals directly with teachers.
The school’s active parent council even funds premium supplementary tools like Mathletics and RAZ Kids to enrich home reading and math practice.
However, on-site logistics come with a few added conditions. Families must budget for mandatory midday supervision fees if their child stays on campus for lunch, meaning parents should prepare for these baseline administrative costs ahead of the school year.
5. Connaught School
Website:https://connaught.cbe.ab.ca/
Address: 1121 12 Ave SW
Contact: 403-777-8560 | Fax 587-933-9785 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM-3:00 PM; Friday 7:30 AM-1:00 PM
Operating out of a historic 1911 sandstone building in the downtown Beltline neighbourhood, Connaught School boasts a wonderfully diverse social community where students speak over forty different languages.
A standout feature of the campus is its custom outdoor learning space, a specialized grounds project featuring native shrubs and plants representing five distinct geographical regions of Alberta.
This immersive environment gives elementary students a hands-on space to study environmental stewardship, science, and math.
Meanwhile, older students benefit from the Career & Technology Foundations (CTF) track to build real-world occupational skills early on.
However, navigating this central urban location comes with logistical challenges. Heavy street traffic and highly restricted parking make daily pick-ups and drop-offs a bit stressful for parents.
Additionally, families using the yellow school bus system must meet mandatory annual registration deadlines, so early application is essential to avoid service delays.