CALGARY (Staff) – Alberta’s first charter school application has received the provincial go-ahead with more approvals expected this summer as each submission is reviewed, says an education official.
The school located near Sherwood Park will offer a program for gifted students from the early childhood services (ECS) program through Grade 12. Children will work at their own pace and individual project work will be encouraged. The school can accept 75 to 200 children.
The charter was granted to the Elk Island school board and the parent-led group, Education for the Gifted Society in Strathcona County.
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The school’s progress will be monitored by the local school board and Alberta Education, said a government press release.
On June 27, the Calgary public school board approved a similar application for the ABC School. The charter submitted by the Action for Bright Children Society awaits approval from education minister Halvar Jonson.
It expects to open Sept. 1 and can take up to 180 children from Grades 1 to 3. It will be a feeder school for the public board’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program.
There are 13 other charter applications in various stages of approval in the province.
Charter schools may not charge tuition and must be open to any students interested in the special programs offered.
