Our Mission

The mission of Foothills Academy is to facilitate learning in persons, primarily youth and children, identified as having a Learning Disability by providing quality educational programs and a supportive environment for families and staff.  We recognize that we are interdependent with our global community – by participating in research, public education, in-service and advocacy, through community service.

Foothills Academy Philosophy

Foothills Academy was built around the belief that all students with Learning Disabilities have exceptional potential, and that with the right supports and guidance, they can achieve great success in school, post-secondary, and the workplace. We understand the difficulties and challenges facing students and their families, be it academic, social, emotional/behavioural, or financial. Foothills Academy's community builds upon these foundations with the individuals and families we work with.  Much of our success is found in our agency-wide philosophical belief in, and understanding of, Self-Determination Theory, which has three core values. Find Understanding, Build Confidence, and Maximize Potential. 

We do this by:

• Building strong RELATIONSHIPS with students and clients to really understand each individual's strengths and interests (finding understanding)  
• Ensuring that students and clients feel a sense of COMPETENCE, to develop their confidence and self-belief that they can be the incredible people who they know they really are (build confidence)  
• Providing a sense of AUTONOMY, so that students and clients feel connected to their learning, and have a voice; which allows them the freedom to thrive and maximize their potential (maximize potential)  

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation, Foothills Academy acknowledges that we live, work, and play on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).

We acknowledge the many First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples whose footsteps have marked these lands for generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us.  We recognize the land as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Foothills Academy is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. As an agency that has been advocating for the rights of neurodiverse learners for more than four decades, we see great value in the diversity of our employees, as well as the youth and families we serve. Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of our individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and accomplishments as well.

We embrace and encourage differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, body size, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our community unique.

Each member of the Foothills Academy community has a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.