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Alberta boarding schools

A titan in the Canadian landscape.

Here’s OUR KIDS guide to Christian schools in Alberta. This includes boarding schools serving Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, and Banff. These vary in size and focus—from smaller schools emphasizing individualized instruction to larger campuses offering rich extracurricular and academic programs. Families can expect environments that balance structured academics, community living, and holistic student development.

Tuition for boarding schools in Alberta generally trends toward the higher end of private education, with experienced institutions often charging between approximately $40,000 to upward of $75,000 per year, depending on program type, residence options, and level of amenities. This makes boarding schools a significant but valuable investment for the right family seeking immersive education. For a complete guide to boarding in Canada, including information about admissions, please see our full guide to boarding schools.

2. How do you choose a boarding school in Alberta?

Our boarding school guide has advice specific to finding boarding schools in Canada. For insights that are more general (on how to evaluate school options) we recommend you review our hub on choosing a school. You can also read our guides to questions to ask private schools and questions students get asked at school interviews.

Private school expos

Private school expos are ideal launching pads for your school-finding journey. All expos are held in the fall at a number of centres across Canada. There are three expos hosted in Ontario, one in Toronto, one in Halton-Peel, and one in Ottawa. Expos are also held each fall in Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. All are opportunities to speak with administrators from leading boarding schools within the regions in which the expos are held.

Upcoming open house events

Attending open houses is obviously a great way to learn more about a school and get a feel for the environment. For some advice on open house visits, go here. For questions to ask that are specific to boarding programs, refer to our main boarding school hub.

3. How much is boarding school tuition in Alberta?

The cost of boarding school in Alberta typically aligns with the broader private school tuition structure, with additional fees for housing, meals, and residential services. These added costs cover the full-time care and accommodation provided by Alberta boarding schools.

Many Alberta boarding schools provide financial aid opportunities, including needs-based bursaries and merit-based scholarships. These aid programs are designed to ensure students from diverse backgrounds—regardless of financial means—can access and contribute meaningfully to school life. Generally, the larger and more established schools offer the most comprehensive support.

To learn more, visit our detailed guide to financial aid and scholarships.

Below you'll find the range of costs at Alberta boarding schools:

Institutional metrics

Academics

Special needs support

Course pedagogies

Extracurricular clubs

Extracurricular sports (competitive)

When people think of Canada, their thoughts often turn to Alberta. This province is home to Banff and Jasper, two iconic resort towns located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Known internationally as premier travel destinations, they exemplify Alberta’s natural beauty. Alberta also features numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Dinosaur Provincial Park, which boasts the highest concentration of dinosaur fossils in the world. In addition, the province holds some of the richest fossil fuel deposits in the country, playing a key role in both the provincial and national economy.

How is private education supported in Alberta?

Private schools in Alberta have been officially recognized since 1946 and have received public financial support since 1967. Among Canadian provinces, Alberta offers the highest and most consistent level of public support for independent education. Today, Alberta's accredited private and independent schools receive 60% of the basic instructional per-pupil grant provided to public and separate schools. Additional funding is available for special needs students, as well as for educational materials and transportation costs. This public investment contributes to the diversity and quality of private schools across the province and supports a well-integrated educational system.

What are the graduation requirements in Alberta?

High school graduation requirements in Alberta are determined by the provincial Ministry of Education. To graduate, students must complete a minimum of 100 credits between grades 10 and 12. Each credit represents approximately 25 hours of classroom instruction or approved workplace learning. Required courses include core subjects such as English, social studies, math, science, physical education, and career and life management. The remaining credits can be earned through elective courses that reflect students’ individual interests and goals.