Our History

• Mid/Late 1970’s - Disgruntled parents and concerned educators began critically thinking about how Calgary students with Learning Disabilities could be better served.  This group worked with local organizations to compile a report on the issues and investigated possible solutions, leading to two different initiatives - the creation of the Calgary Learning Centre (which became CanLearn Society in 2013), and the creation of the first Calgary school for students with Learning Disabilities, which became Foothills Academy.
• 1978 - Concerned parents Bill and Beth Mackasey spearheaded the development of the school with a clear vision (hyperlink Beth's speech), along with educator Tom Aylesworth who took on the critical work of securing funding for a school through the Nickle Family Foundation and other donors.  Local reading specialist Hal Anderson recruited teachers and students (Hal's advertisements for students and staff) and applied to the government for approval for the school (Application to Alberta Education for approval)
• 1979 - In September, Foothills Academy opened in the St. Pius school in the Capitol Hill area.  Tom was the Business Director, and Hal Anderson was the first Executive Director.  The Board of Governors consisted of:  Beth Mackasey, Bill Mackasey, Tom Aylesworth, Mel Granger, Doug Korman, and Hal Anderson (original Board of Governors)
• 1980 - Foothills Academy became a Registered Charity
• 1983 - After an extensive search for the next Executive Director (Job Posting Dec 1982), the Board of Governors appointed Gordon Bullivant into the role (Bill Mackasey introducing Gordon Bullivant in Jan 1983).
• 1990 - Foothills Academy relocated to its current location in the community of Parkdale
• 2012 - A large addition was added to the Parkdale building
• 2013 - When the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta’s Calgary Chapter closed, Foothills Academy took over Camp Amicus, which became a new department in our growing Community Services.  Foothills Academy also inherited the Annual Gordon Hoffman Charity Golf Tournament.
• 2015 - In June, Tom Aylesworth passed away, and Gordon Bullivant retired.  The Board of Governors appointed Simon Williams and Karen MacMillan as the co-Executive Directors of Foothills Academy Society (2015 co-ED announcement)
• 2018 - The Learning Disabilities & ADHD Network collaborative initiative was launched through Foothills Academy, thanks to the support of an Anonymous donor via the Calgary Foundation.
• 2021 - The Parkdale building underwent a renovation to create two modern STEM labs, as well as the addition of five new intervention rooms in order to accommodate the renewed focus on evidence-based clinical instruction in the School.

For almost five decades, Foothills Academy Society has been a leader in supporting young people with Learning Disabilities and their families.  We are unique in the Canadian landscape, as a Designated Special Education Private School (DSEPS) devoted to students with LD, as well as providing a wide array of wrap-around community services for all families impacted by LD and/or ADHD, including: a large Psychology training centre; intensive remediation programs in literacy and numeracy; camps and recreational programs; community workshops; and online courses for families and educators.  Together through the School and Community Services, more than one thousand children and youth are directly impacted by Foothills Academy each year.

All of this work continues to be done with a strong commitment to being financially accessible for all families, carrying out Tom’s original vision.