Help on applying to schools
Jan 14th 2009, 9:26 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 70
Help on applying to schools
Hi
My family and I are moving to Okotoks in Alberta at the end of Feb. I have a six year old daughter and one of my main priorities i s to get her settled into a school asap on arrival. I have read on a thread in the past that you have to phone the local education authority in advance to book apointments withe the local schools and not approach the schools direct. Would anyone be able to help me with this particularly from the local area. Thanks very much. Kirsty.
My family and I are moving to Okotoks in Alberta at the end of Feb. I have a six year old daughter and one of my main priorities i s to get her settled into a school asap on arrival. I have read on a thread in the past that you have to phone the local education authority in advance to book apointments withe the local schools and not approach the schools direct. Would anyone be able to help me with this particularly from the local area. Thanks very much. Kirsty.
Jan 14th 2009, 11:55 am
#2
9 months, start to finish
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: VANCOUVER
Posts: 904
Re: Help on applying to schools
yes, that's correct and i don't know the school board addy for alberta, sorry, but quessing at calgary education board. something like that, goole it, your bound to stumble over it......
Jan 14th 2009, 3:57 pm
#3
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Sherwood Park
Posts: 1,709
Re: Help on applying to schools
When we were looking in Edmonton and Sherwood Park, I spoke to the schools direct.
Actually when we were looking at houses in Sherwood Park, we would just drop in on the school that was the closes to the house we like. On every occasion we were gladly given a tour.
It was really nice to see the staff proud of their schools.
I also use to stop people in the area and ask if they had children at the school and ask their opinion. (things we do for our children
)
Linda
Actually when we were looking at houses in Sherwood Park, we would just drop in on the school that was the closes to the house we like. On every occasion we were gladly given a tour.
It was really nice to see the staff proud of their schools.
I also use to stop people in the area and ask if they had children at the school and ask their opinion. (things we do for our children
)Linda
Jan 14th 2009, 4:12 pm
#4
Permanent Resident
Joined: May 2008
Location: Okotoks - Alberta
Posts: 275
Re: Help on applying to schools
HI Siw
Funnily enough we are off to Okotoks in Feb. I have a 7 year old and my OH (who is already out there) was going to view Dr Morris Gibson Elementary today. If you PM me I can let you know what he thought etc.
Otherwise take a look on Calgary Board of Education which has loads of info on schools including their websites. Then call or email them and ask for a visit when you get out in February.
Have you bought a place/looking for rented?
The Ross Family
Funnily enough we are off to Okotoks in Feb. I have a 7 year old and my OH (who is already out there) was going to view Dr Morris Gibson Elementary today. If you PM me I can let you know what he thought etc.
Otherwise take a look on Calgary Board of Education which has loads of info on schools including their websites. Then call or email them and ask for a visit when you get out in February.
Have you bought a place/looking for rented?
The Ross Family
Jan 14th 2009, 4:26 pm
#5
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Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Okotoks Albetra
Posts: 459
Re: Help on applying to schools
Hi Kirsty - Here in Okotoks you can approach the schools direct and they are all very friendly. The schools do like to see a sample of your childs work from the UK and they may ask to see vaccination records. You will have no problems with the schools in Okotoks. Sam
Jan 14th 2009, 4:35 pm
#6
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Help on applying to schools
HI Siw
Funnily enough we are off to Okotoks in Feb. I have a 7 year old and my OH (who is already out there) was going to view Dr Morris Gibson Elementary today. If you PM me I can let you know what he thought etc.
Otherwise take a look on Calgary Board of Education which has loads of info on schools including their websites. Then call or email them and ask for a visit when you get out in February.
Have you bought a place/looking for rented?
The Ross Family
Funnily enough we are off to Okotoks in Feb. I have a 7 year old and my OH (who is already out there) was going to view Dr Morris Gibson Elementary today. If you PM me I can let you know what he thought etc.
Otherwise take a look on Calgary Board of Education which has loads of info on schools including their websites. Then call or email them and ask for a visit when you get out in February.
Have you bought a place/looking for rented?
The Ross Family
The school board responsible for the Okotoks area is the Foothills School Division linked below.
http://www.fsd38.ab.ca/public/frameset.cfm
Jan 14th 2009, 4:47 pm
#7
Permanent Resident
Joined: May 2008
Location: Okotoks - Alberta
Posts: 275
Re: Help on applying to schools
Yes I know that Okotoks is in the Foothills Division but the Calgary Board of Education gives a general overview of schooling in Calgary if you wanted to compare like-for-like.
Jan 14th 2009, 6:17 pm
#8
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: Help on applying to schools
Hi - we landed in Van in Dec = prior to landing I had looked at the school board website - the BC ones have a post code search which then tells you your local schools and you need to put t in a cross border app for any others. .
when we arrived we had to go to the school board to register the kids but we also visited the schools -as other posters have said - they were all very friendly - in fact the senior school my daughter wanted to go to, which we were out of catchment for by 2 roads gave her a place there and then!
when we arrived we had to go to the school board to register the kids but we also visited the schools -as other posters have said - they were all very friendly - in fact the senior school my daughter wanted to go to, which we were out of catchment for by 2 roads gave her a place there and then!
Jan 14th 2009, 6:33 pm
#9
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 70
Re: Help on applying to schools
Thanks for everyone's reponse to my thread i will have a look at the links that you have provided. i am also looking at sending my daughter to Dr Morris Gibson as it has a very good reputation, however i would like to visit all the schools first to see which one has the best feel. thanks again kirsty.
Jan 14th 2009, 7:12 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 70
Re: Help on applying to schools
Hi again
Whilst reading one of the links about schooling i have come across a pre-school programme in okotoks at the Big Rock School, i was wondering if there was anyone who knew anything more about this as i also have a 3 year old son who has been attending a pre-school here for the last 11/2 and i would like him to continue doing so but have heard pre-schools are very expensive in canada. Thanks Kirsty.
Whilst reading one of the links about schooling i have come across a pre-school programme in okotoks at the Big Rock School, i was wondering if there was anyone who knew anything more about this as i also have a 3 year old son who has been attending a pre-school here for the last 11/2 and i would like him to continue doing so but have heard pre-schools are very expensive in canada. Thanks Kirsty.
Jan 14th 2009, 7:40 pm
#11
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Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Okotoks Albetra
Posts: 459
Re: Help on applying to schools
Hi just further to my last email. One of my daughters is currently at DMG and the other spent a year there before moving to the Junior High. I have nothing but praise for it. The schools have a catchment area so that might effect your choice be it for school or where you live. The link should help you with that if not give me a shout. I have heard good things regarding the pre school at Big Rock but mine are a little older so havent got personal experience (where does the time go)!!!!!If I can help with anything else please let me know.
Jan 14th 2009, 9:05 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Okotoks, Alberta
Posts: 179
Re: Help on applying to schools
Hi
My family and I are moving to Okotoks in Alberta at the end of Feb. I have a six year old daughter and one of my main priorities i s to get her settled into a school asap on arrival. I have read on a thread in the past that you have to phone the local education authority in advance to book apointments withe the local schools and not approach the schools direct. Would anyone be able to help me with this particularly from the local area. Thanks very much. Kirsty.
My family and I are moving to Okotoks in Alberta at the end of Feb. I have a six year old daughter and one of my main priorities i s to get her settled into a school asap on arrival. I have read on a thread in the past that you have to phone the local education authority in advance to book apointments withe the local schools and not approach the schools direct. Would anyone be able to help me with this particularly from the local area. Thanks very much. Kirsty.
