Our parent's overview of Aspen Woods schools covers the big picture. This guide goes deeper: exact 2026-27 tuition for every private school, Fraser Institute scores with provincial rankings, admissions timelines, financial aid options, and profiles for schools that often fly under the radar.
Aspen Woods and its immediate surroundings have an unprecedented concentration of educational options: at least six private schools, three public CBE schools, two Catholic schools, and a brand-new Catholic high school under construction. Whether you're budgeting for private tuition or evaluating public catchments, this is the reference guide.
Fraser Institute Rankings at a Glance
The Fraser Institute ranks schools based on provincial exam results. Here's how schools near Aspen Woods stack up:
| School | Rating | Grades | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFIS | 10/10 | Pre-K–12 | Private |
| Webber Academy | 10/10 | JK–12 | Private |
| Rundle College | 9/10 | K–12 | Private |
| Ernest Manning HS | 8.9/10 | 10–12 | Public (CBE) |
| Dr. Roberta Bondar | 8.6/10 | K–6 | Public (CBE) |
| Rundle College (Elem) | 9.4/10 | K–6 | Private |
Sources: Fraser Institute Report Card on Alberta's High Schools 2025; Report Card on Alberta's Elementary Schools 2024.
Private Schools: Detailed Profiles & 2026-27 Tuition
Webber Academy
Founded by Dr. Neil Webber, Webber Academy is a non-denominational, co-educational school with an enriched academic curriculum. Facilities include two full-size gymnasiums, a 500-seat performing arts theatre, a third-floor science centre, a 400m running track, and outdoor sports courts. Tuition covers everything — field trips, clubs, insurance, textbooks, and agendas are all included.
| Grade | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Junior Kindergarten | $21,000 |
| Senior K – Grade 6 | $24,000 |
| Grades 7-9 | $25,200 |
| Grades 10-12 | $25,800 |
Sibling discounts: 10% second child, 15% third child
Enrolment bond: $6,000 (refundable on graduation or withdrawal)
Scholarships: Up to $5,000 annually, awarded Grades 6-11
Non-resident surcharge: +$5,000
Rundle College
Rundle College operates three distinct programs under the Rundle College Society. The mainstream college program (K-12) emphasizes rigorous academics, extensive travel and field trips, second languages, and a humanitarian program. Rundle Academy (Grades 4-12) is a nationally recognized program for students with diagnosed learning disabilities or ADHD, with class sizes of 6-10 — expanding in September 2026 with 175 additional student spaces. Rundle Studio (Grades 7-12) is Canada's first online school specifically for students with LD, ASD, or ADHD, launched in 2021.
| Grade | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | $20,140 |
| Grades 1-6 | $22,260 – $22,610 |
| Grades 7-9 | $23,740 – $24,090 |
| Grades 10-12 | $24,800 – $25,150 |
One-time fees: $2,000 Family Membership + $2,000 Student Facility Fee per child
Technology fee: $275 (Grades 4-6), $475 (Grades 7-12) — 1:1 iPad or MacBook included
Uniforms: ~$800/year (not included in tuition)
Admissions: SSAT required for Grade 7+; applications open September, first round closes Oct/Nov
Calgary French & International School (CFIS)
Founded in 1969, CFIS is one of only two schools in Calgary to achieve a perfect 10/10 Fraser Institute rating. Graduates are officially fluent in French and English with functional fluency in Spanish. The school follows UNESCO values with inquiry-based learning. French immersion or native French is required for Grade 1 and above — but not for preschool, JK, or Kindergarten entry. The EMBARK program provides accelerated entry for students joining French immersion at a later stage.
| Grade | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Preschool / JK (Full Day) | $20,260 |
| Kindergarten – Grade 3 | $18,670 |
| Grades 4-6 | $18,930 |
| Grades 7-9 | $20,570 |
| Grades 10-12 | $21,820 |
| EMBARK (Grades 1-3) | $23,340 |
New family fees: $2,000 Membership + $4,000 Building Fund Loan (refundable)
Sibling discounts: 10% third child, 15% fourth child
Annual registration: $500/family
Application fee: $275
Calgary Academy
Founded in 1981, Calgary Academy is the school many families don't know about — and wish they had found sooner. It's a designated special education private school offering four distinct programs: Early Years (K-2), Academy (Grades 3-12, for students with learning difficulties), Collegiate (Grades 3-12, post-secondary prep), and Blended+ (Grades 9-12, hybrid learning). The Collegiate stream scored 7.4/10 on the Fraser Institute rankings.
If your child learns differently, Calgary Academy should be on your shortlist alongside Rundle Academy.
Edge School for Athletes
Edge School integrates rigorous academics with high-performance athletic training. The Flex Academy accommodates sports like luge, swimming, tennis, equestrian, and gymnastics. In-house services include athletic therapy, sport psychology, strength and conditioning, and nutrition. Academic ranking is lower (57% average exam mark) but the 85.5% diploma completion rate and Ivy League alumni track record speak to the school's unique value.
| Item | Cost (2025-26) |
|---|---|
| Grades 4-6 Tuition | $20,500 |
| Grades 7-12 Tuition | $21,500 |
| Activity Fee | $690 |
| Hockey Team Fees | $13,000 – $17,000 |
Endowment fund: 4% contribution required
Sibling discounts: 10% second child, 15% third+
Early bird credit: $750 if paid by March 3
Bus: $3,570 (round trip) or $2,050 (one-way)
Calgary Waldorf School
For families drawn to creativity, imagination, and holistic development, Calgary Waldorf follows the Steiner education model emphasizing “head, heart, and hands.” It's the most affordable private school in the area — and the sibling discounts are exceptional: a second child pays just 90% of tuition, a third child 40%, and a fourth child just 15%. Note that the school only goes to Grade 9, so families will need a high school plan.
| Grade | Annual Tuition (1st Child) |
|---|---|
| Junior Kindergarten (5 days) | $15,150 |
| Kindergarten (5 days) | $13,760 |
| Senior Kindergarten (5 days) | $12,470 |
| Grades 1-6 | $12,050 |
| Grades 7-9 | $13,790 |
Initiation fee: $1,500 per family (one-time)
Hellenic (Greek) Community School
Not a full-time school, but worth knowing about: the Hellenic Community School at 1 Tamarac Crescent SW offers Greek language, history, mythology, geography, dance, drama, music, and religion classes. Sessions run Wednesdays 5:30-8:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Programs range from Preschool to Level 6, with Greek 15/25/35 diploma credits and adult Greek classes also available.
Public Schools (Calgary Board of Education)
All public schools below are tuition-free. Aspen Woods families are served by the CBE with a solid K-12 pathway.
Dr. Roberta Bondar School (K-6)
The designated CBE elementary school for Aspen Woods, Dr. Roberta Bondar scored an honourable mention among Calgary elementaries in the Fraser Institute rankings. The school follows the standard Alberta Programs of Study curriculum.
Vincent Massey School (Grades 7-9)
Vincent Massey offers full academic programming alongside complementary courses including band, art, drama, foods, and Career and Technology Studies. Grade 7 students rotate through a “Wheel” of all fine arts and CTS options before specializing in Grades 8-9 — a great way to discover interests before high school.
Ernest Manning High School (Grades 10-12)
Ernest Manning is a standout public high school. The modern campus (opened 2011 in Springbank Hill) offers Advanced Placement courses in calculus, physics, chemistry, and English literature, plus CTS programs in pre-engineering, culinary arts, computing, and design. The school won provincial football championships in both 2023 and 2025.
Overcrowding Note
Ernest Manning is part of the CBE 2025-2028 Student Placement Plan due to capacity concerns. Catchment boundaries may shift. Verify your designated school with CBE before purchasing a home based on high school catchment.
Catholic Schools (Calgary Catholic School District)
Catholic public schools are tuition-free and operated by the Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD). The Catholic pathway near Aspen Woods is strengthening significantly with a new high school under construction.
Guardian Angel School (K-6)
Located within the Aspen Woods community, Guardian Angel School is a purpose-built, 47,512 square foot facility. The school integrates Catholic faith with academic excellence and serves as the primary Catholic elementary for families in the area.
Holy Child Catholic School (K-9)
Holy Child serves a diverse community with the motto “Many languages. Many cultures. United in Christ.” The school offers a French immersion component and after-school care, extending through Grade 9 for families wanting a Catholic junior high option.
West Calgary Catholic High School (Grades 10-12) — Opening 2028
Under Construction
This is a significant development for Catholic families. All 13 existing CCSD high schools are projected at 100%+ capacity by 2026, making this new school critical. The two-storey building will feature mountain views, high-tech labs, fine arts facilities, and two athletic facilities. Traffic access will be directly from 17 Avenue SW. When it opens, Aspen Woods will have a complete Catholic K-12 pathway: Guardian Angel (K-6), Holy Child (K-9), and West Calgary Catholic High School (10-12).
Admissions Timelines & Tips
Private School Admissions
- Apply 12-18 months ahead — Waitlists are real, especially for Kindergarten and Grade 7 entry points
- Rundle College: Applications open each September; first round closes October/November. SSAT and Character Skills Snapshot required for Grade 7+. Kindergarten has ~45 openings; Grade 7 has ~12
- Webber Academy: $6,000 enrolment bond payable upon acceptance (refundable on graduation). Payment schedule: $6,000 by Dec 1, $10,000 by Apr 1, balance by Aug 15
- CFIS: French fluency required for Grade 1+, but not for preschool/JK/K. The EMBARK program provides a pathway for later entry. Application fee is $275
- Tour during school hours — Observe classrooms, talk to teachers, and gauge school culture firsthand
Public & Catholic Registration
- CBE: Register online as soon as you have a confirmed Aspen Woods address. Verify your catchment at cbe.ab.ca — boundaries can change, especially with Ernest Manning's overcrowding situation
- CSSD: Registration follows a similar process through the Calgary Catholic School District. Guardian Angel School serves Aspen Woods directly
- Most schools offer open houses in winter/spring for the following September
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Don't rule out private school on cost alone. Webber Academy offers merit-based scholarships up to $5,000 annually. Rundle, CFIS, and other schools have bursary programs for families with financial need. Sibling discounts significantly reduce costs for multi-child families — especially at Calgary Waldorf, where a fourth child pays just 15% of full tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school cost in Aspen Woods?
Private school tuition near Aspen Woods ranges from $12,050/year (Calgary Waldorf School, Grades 1-6) to $25,800/year (Webber Academy, Grades 10-12). Mid-range options include CFIS at $18,670-$21,820 and Rundle College at $20,140-$25,150. Most schools offer sibling discounts of 10-15%, and several provide merit-based scholarships.
What are the Fraser Institute rankings for schools near Aspen Woods?
Two schools scored a perfect 10/10: Webber Academy and Calgary French & International School. Rundle College scored 9/10 for secondary. For public schools, Ernest Manning High School scored 8.9/10 (ranked 11th in all of Alberta), and Dr. Roberta Bondar School scored 8.6/10 for elementary.
Are there schools for students with learning differences near Aspen Woods?
Yes. Calgary Academy (K-12) is a designated special education school with a 97.3% graduation rate and programs for various learning profiles. Rundle Academy (Grades 4-12) specializes in diagnosed learning disabilities and ADHD with class sizes of 6-10 students. Rundle Studio offers Canada's first online school for students with LD, ASD, or ADHD.
When is the new Catholic high school opening near Aspen Woods?
West Calgary Catholic High School is scheduled to open in 2028. It's being built on a 20-acre site in Aspen Woods with capacity for 1,230 students. Construction began with a sod-turning ceremony in September 2025. This will create a complete Catholic K-12 pathway within the community alongside Guardian Angel School (K-6) and nearby Holy Child (K-9).
Is Ernest Manning a good high school?
Ernest Manning scored 8.9/10 on the Fraser Institute rankings—11th among all Alberta high schools. It offers AP courses in calculus, physics, chemistry, and English literature, plus strong CTS programs and athletics (provincial football champions in 2023 and 2025). However, the school faces overcrowding concerns and is part of the CBE 2025-2028 Student Placement Plan, meaning catchment boundaries may shift.
What if my child is a competitive athlete?
Edge School for Athletes (Grades 4-12) is located near Aspen Woods and offers a 170,000 sq ft world-class facility. Sport streams include hockey, figure skating, dance, soccer, golf, and a Flex Academy for sports like swimming, tennis, and equestrian. The school integrates academics with high-performance training, and alumni have gone on to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Juilliard. Tuition is $20,500-$21,500 plus sport-specific fees.
Making the School Decision
Aspen Woods offers something unusual in Calgary: genuine choice at every level. World-class private schools, strong public options, expanding Catholic pathways, and specialized programs for athletes and diverse learners. The right school depends on your child, your budget, and your family's values — not a ranking number.
For the overview of how these schools fit into the broader Aspen Woods lifestyle, read our parent's complete guide to Aspen Woods schools. Looking for homes near a specific school? Let's talk about your priorities — school proximity is one of the most common criteria my clients bring to the home search. You can also browse current Aspen Woods listings or learn more about the community.