Edmonton is a great place to raise a family. The safe and friendly environment, comfortable neighborhoods and recent downtown improvements make for a wonderful atmosphere for adults and children to plant roots and grow together. Additionally, many families choose to call Edmonton home because of the exceptional schools in this area. There are certainly a lot to choose from. Here is some helpful information about a select few.
Mount Pleasant School
Mount Pleasant School tops the list for many families in Edmonton. This public elementary school strives for excellence, welcomes parent involvement and offers some fantastic extracurricular activities to children including a French program in grades 1 through 6. Mount Pleasant ranks number 1 out of 813 according to the Fraser Institute’s 2014 report card and scores an impressive 9.7 out of 10 in academic performance.
Stratford Elementary
Stratford Elementary also offers families excellent educational opportunities in Edmonton. This school is a public institution and educates approximately 600 students in grades kindergarten through 9. Stratford Elementary ranked number 5 out of 813 in 2013 and 2014, and this ranking has been consistent for the past five years. When it comes to academic performance, the student body is strong with a rating of 9.4 out of 10.
Windsor Park
Windsor Park is a third public Edmonton elementary school ranking within the top five on the most recent Fraser Institute report. Students at this school earned academic performance ratings of 9.4 out of 10 in 2014. Windsor Park offers French as a second language in grades 4 to 6 in an effort to mold children into individuals who are ready to enter our global community and has limited enrollment with only one class per grade.
St. Martin
St. Martin is a popular choice for families who prefer a separate education instead of a public education. As part of the network of Edmonton Catholic schools, St. Martin offers a Christ centered learning experience and bilingual classes teaching Ukrainian fluency. The school is also one of only two in the world offering separate Ukrainian dance classes as part of their physical education curriculum. Educationally, Fraser Institute ranks St. Martin at twelfth out of 813 and the student body performed at 9.1 out of 10 in 2014.
St. Mary
St. Mary is another well established Catholic school in Edmonton. This facility is proud of their Christ centered learning environment and their heavy involvement in the community. Parents are invited to be a part of their children’s education here. St. Mary ranked 18 out of 813 in 2014, and their academic performance was 9.0 out of 10 in 2014 according to the Fraser Institute’s most recent report card.
In addition to the named schools, many of Edmonton’s elementary schools ranked within the top 100, meaning that parents have several excellent options when it comes to deciding which one is best for their family. While rankings and academic performance marks should play a part in this decision, it is also advised that parents tour the school, meet with educators, ask questions about their child’s particular needs, strengths and weaknesses and consider the opinions of other families who have children attending each school.