Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT CLEAR WATER ACADEMY?

Founded in 1994, Clear Water Academy is an independent, Catholic school located at the former Currie Army barracks on a beautiful 7-acre campus in the heart of Calgary, Alberta. Clear Water Academy teaches students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. Small class sizes allow our highly qualified faculty to work with each student individually to ensure they are achieving their full personal potential. Their academic results are top among Alberta schools. Students receive the academic advantages of gender style instruction while still having co-ed social opportunities. Clear Water Academy's community of families, students and staff is warm, welcoming and rich in faith, hope and love. Clear Water Academy has been consistently ranked as one of the top Academic Schools in Alberta by the Fraser Institute.

WHAT IS THE INTEGRAL FORMATION METHOD OF EDUCATION?
Integral Formation is a Catholic approach to education that seeks to educate the whole person: their intellect, their spirit, and their character. This proven method fosters extraordinary students, bringing out the best in each one with an uncommon formation that produces well-rounded students of character, intelligence, and virtue.

WHAT TYPE(S) OF ACCREDITATION DOES CLEAR WATER ACADEMY CURRENTLY HOLD?
Incorporated in 1994, Clear Water Academy is accredited as an University Preparatory Private Catholic School. Clear Water Academy is also accredited by Alberta Education. In addition to being accredited by Alberta Education, we use the ongoing services of a international curriculum consulting firm, International Center for Integral Formation (ICIF). Clear Water Academy operates as a Catholic school in the Diocese of Calgary with the full support of the Most Reverend Bishop Frederick Henry.

WHAT KINDS OF ATHLETIC PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?
Sports are a naturally effective means of forming the character of a person. Thus, Clear Water Academy offers incredible opportunities for our students of all ages to be involved in physical activity. In addition to regular physical education classes, competitive sports are introduced through intramurals in Grade 1. Interscholastic sports begin at Grade 7 where we compete in the ISAA ( Independent Schools Athletic Association) in a large variety of sports throughout the school year.

DO YOU HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES?

The Clear Water Academy community of families is among the school’s greatest treasures. The annual Welcome Back BBQ, Pasta Night, Salsa Night, Rome Night Out, All Saints Fair, Christmas Concert, Shrove Tuesday Lunch, and our famous Gala Dinner and Auction are just a few of the family events Clear Water Academy offers.

WHAT ARE THE STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS?
Our students come from a wide variety of social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. Although our school is predominantly Catholic, we serve many non-Catholic families who respect the Catholic faith and value our balanced, formative approach to education.

WHAT SETS CLEAR WATER ACADEMY APART?

Our students have personal contact with the principal, dean of students, and chaplain, as well as their teachers and all those who have a hand in their education. These administrators get to know each student as an individual. Our teachers also serve as mentors, not only in the classroom, but also in life. They help students to identify their personal strengths and gifts, and then encourage them to use these gifts to serve others. Our teachers provide each student the individual attention to maximize his or her potential. Another area where we stand out is that Clear Water Academy has been consistently ranked as one of the top Academic Schools in Alberta by the Fraser Institute.

WHAT IS THE FRASER INSTITUTE?

The Fraser Institute is an independent non-partisan research and educational organization based in Canada. Clear Water Academy has been consistently ranked as one of the top Academic Schools in Alberta by the Fraser Institute. Click HERE to view the 2010 rankings for Alberta Elementary Schools. Click HERE to view the 2010 rankings for Alberta High Schools.

WHAT IS THE STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO?
The student-teacher ratio is approximately 1 teacher to 15 students.

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT CLEAR WATER ACADEMY?
We currently have approximatley 445 students enrolled at Clear Water Academy.

IS THERE A DRESS CODE OR UNIFORM POLICY?

The school’s dress code contributes in a very important way to the overall sense of unity as a school community. The dress code enhances the learning atmosphere, adds a sense of pride and reduces competition among the students. Clear Water Academy students are expected to wear their uniform in a manner that portrays a positive and modest self-image, conveys personal neatness and cleanliness, and demonstrates an attitude of excellence in performance and achievement. All students are expected to be in the full appropriate and seasonal uniform each day.

ARE SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

Clear Water Academy recognizes that a private education is a significant investment for families. Accordingly, the school offers a tuition assistance program intended to help families who demonstrate financial need. This program is offred annually to current Clear Water Academy families.

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATED INTO THE CURRICULUM?
In keeping with today’s technology-driven culture, our teachers make use of computers and web-based programs as teaching tools when appropriate and helpful.

HOW IS RELIGION INTEGRATED INTO THE CURRICULUM?
Clear Water Academy implements the Integral Formation method of education, a Catholic approach to education that seeks to educate the whole person: their intellect, their spirit, and their character. This method of education is successfully developing authentic Catholic leaders in schools worldwide. Built upon the Integral Formation focuses on forming all dimensions of the person: intellectual, human, spiritual and apostolic. Our goal at Clear Water Academy is to help each student fulfill the unique mission for which he/she was created.

IS BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE?

At this time, there is no bus service available. Many parents do form car pools to provide transportation to our school.

HOW DOES THE CURRICULUM AT CLEAR WATER ACADEMY PREPARE STUDENTS TO ATTEND HIGHER EDUCATION?
YES! Our school creates an environment highly conducive to learning, spiritual growth, and development as leaders. A rigorous academic curriculum is supported by individual character and values formation. Combined with a dynamic program that encourages students to put their faith and virtue into action, Clear Water Academy students receive the formation necessary to move onto to higher levels of education. Our High School programming is designed to provide students with greater options in University choice and be leaders. Teachers positively motivate their students in a caring and supportive environment.

WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED TOTAL ENROLLMENT OF THE COMPLETED CAMPUS?
We anticipate, as we grow over the next several or more years, that our completed campus will have a total capacity of approximatley 700 students.

CAN I ARRANGE A VISIT TO CLEAR WATER ACADEMY?
We welcome you to come meet the students and faculty as well as tour our facilities. To schedule a tour and/or a meeting, please contact Margaret Matthews, Admissions Director at (403) 240-7917. Nothing explains the Clear Water Academy advantage better than our students!