Dear Students and Parents/Guardians
Due to continued enrolment growth in Calgary, there is a need to balance enrolment between French Immersion schools in northwest Calgary.
Effective for the 2025-26 school year and beyond, kindergarten to Grade 5 French Immersion program students residing in the communities of Glacier Ridge, Nolan Hill, University of Calgary, and University District will be re-designated from Varsity Acres School to Banff Trail School.
- All new kindergarten to Grade 5 French Immersion program registrations for the 2025-26 school year and beyond will be designated to Banff Trail School.
- Banff Trail School is located at 3232 Cochrane Rd NW
What if my child is currently enrolled at Varsity Acres School?
Current kindergarten to Grade 4 French Immersion program students attending Varsity Acres School who will be in Grades 1 to 5 for the 2025-26 school year and reside in Glacier Ridge, Nolan Hill, University of Calgary, or University District can remain at Varsity Acres School until they transition to middle school or can move to Banff Trail School.
- Students residing in these communities should inform their school principal of their choice to remain at Varsity Acres School or transfer to Banff Trail School by Mar. 3, 2025.
- Any current Grade 4 students remaining at Varsity Acres School will have access to transportation services to Varsity Acres School for the 2025-26 school year. Students currently in kindergarten to Grade 3 who choose to remain at Varsity Acres School will be considered out-of-attendance area students and may apply for transportation as conditional riders. Please see the Busing & Transportation page on the CBE website for details on Conditional Ridership.
- Transportation to eligible riders from Glacier Ridge, Nolan Hill, University of Calgary, and University District to Varsity Acres School will end June 30, 2026, and there will not be an option for conditional riders.
- Varsity Acres School students with siblings who will be new kindergarten to Grade 5 students in the 2025-26 school year may transfer to Banff Trail School to be with their siblings.
Why is this change happening?
The Varsity Acres School catchment area includes a larger population relative to its size in addition to new and developing communities that are continuing to grow. These changes will help ease some of the enrolment pressures at Varsity Acres School and better balance enrolment in the French Immersion program.
Changes like this are being made to balance enrolment across many CBE schools to help relieve current and anticipated enrolment pressures in Calgary. Additionally, these changes will align student cohorts living in the University of Calgary and University District communities, as parts of these communities are already designated to Banff Trail School.
How do I register for school next year?
Registrations for the 2025-26 school year starts in January 2025. For more information on how to register, please visit our website.
How will students get to school?
Students are eligible for transportation to their designated school if they live beyond the walk zone. Visit Busing & Transportation for more information. Service levels and fees will be confirmed by May 2025.
What if I have more questions?
Please contact your principal if you have questions regarding these changes.
If you still have questions or require additional information, please contact the Area 2 office at Area2@cbe.ab.ca or 403-777-8720 (extension 0).