Frequently Asked Questions

Foothills Academy was founded in 1979 after two years of intensive research and consultation with various stakeholders and professional organizations.

Foothills Academy is a private institution so that it can remain independent of governments and school boards. Staff at Foothills Academy are strong advocates for children and families affected by Learning Disabilities and are not seen as partisan in their advocacy work. We accept students from many school jurisdictions and thus, do not wish to be associated with only one.

Foothills Academy is a fully registered non-profit charitable society. It is funded through governments, school boards, private sector industry, tuition fees and charitable donations.

Yes. Foothills Academy is a government designated special needs facility. All teachers are fully accredited by Alberta Education; many have won awards for their outstanding work. A number have dual or Master's degrees.

Any child who qualifies as Learning Disabled, as diagnosed by an external professional, will be admitted to the School Program. No child is refused admission based on their families' financial circumstances. The child must have average or above average intellectual capacity, have no primary emotional problems, and be functioning significantly below his/her expected grade level in various academic subjects.

Contact the School office early in the academic year for information regarding enrollment. The School Office telephone number is (403) 270- 9400 and the fax number is (403) 270-9438.

We measure success of student progress in three main areas. 1) academic success, 2) social/emotional factors, and 3) homework/study skills. We believe that all three areas must be strong in order for the student to succeed back in the regular school system.

Yes. All students are on IPP's. These comprehensive plans include input from the teaching staff, the student and the parents. It is important for all three stakeholders to agree to the plan of action and the Individual Program Plans are reviewed on a regular basis. If outside professionals are a part of the child's treatment milieu, they are invited to have input into the program offerings in the School Program and to assist staff to monitor progress of the students.

Classes generally consist of 12 students with a full time teacher and a part time teacher assistant.

Yes. Foothills Academy has a full library center equipped with significant hard copy collections and computers. Two librarians facilitate student interactions as well as supporting curriculum needs of the teaching staff.

Yes. Foothills Academy has an active physical education component of the program, including curriculum to grade 12. As well, we have an intramural and extra curricular sports program. During the school year, various field trip experiences round out the academic program.

No. A number of students stay in the school program longer. These generally are students who came to us later in their school career or who are so learning disabled that they could not succeed in a regular school program. These students do remain the exception rather than the rule. However, no child is reintegrated without the child, the parents, and the staff reaching consensus on the child's future placement. We are a team of individuals working together.

The goal of the program is to prepare the student to be the best that he/she can be. Most graduates of the School Program at Foothills Academy go on to college, university or private post secondary school. Our success rate is high.