Our History

With an impressive history spanning over 22 years, Edelweiss Preparatory School has stayed true to its original mission to support and encourage a child’s lively intellect; promote independance and self confidence; foster social competency and inspire a love of learning. Children enjoy a positive and nurturing environment where they are encouraged to try new things, think original thoughts, share of themselves and get along with others.

Where did the name “Edelweiss” come from? Well, “edelweiss” is a small white flower that grows high in the Alps and it is said that if a man really loves a woman, he will go higher up the mountain to get the edelweiss flower - going the “extra mile” for love. That’s part of our philosophy at Edelweiss - to go the “extra mile” for the love of all the children. In the 1950’s this flower became famous all over the world as synonym for Austria with the song Edelweiss from the Sound of Music Musical. Edelweiss is our school song.

• We began as Edelweiss Educational Preschool in 1988 with 12 students.
• In January 1995, we changed our name to Edelweiss Preparatory School to reflect the addition of Kindergarten and the further enrichment of our program. The Edelweiss program was designed to meet the learning needs of average and above average children.
• Each of our Preschool classes consist of 18 students and 2 qualified teachers providing a 1:9 ratio. Our Jr. Kindergarten classes consist of 20 students and 2 qualified teachers providing a 1:10 ratio and Kindergarten classes have 16 children and 1 teacher providing a 1:16 ratio.
• We are licensed with Alberta Children’s Services for our Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten and are accredited and funded by Alberta Education for our Kindergarten.
• We have always operated in the Cambrian Heights community building since we began in 1987 and continue to operate Preschool, Jr. Kindergarten there (Kindergarten will be back at this location in Sept 2007 as well).
• Our Kindergarten and Grade 1-4 programs are located at 599 Northmount Drive N.W. until June 2007.
• We were featured on CFCN news in a feature on the uniqueness of our school in 1995.
• Parts of our Christmas and Graduation Concerts have appeared on the news over the years.
• In 1999, we added a Cultural Awareness program to our Kindergarten curriculum. An article in the Mirror was written about this special program.
• In 2000, we added Drama classes to our programs.
• In 2001, we added Dance classes to our Kindergarten program.
• In 2003, we added a Spanish program for our Jr. Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Grade school students.
• In September 2003 we added Grade 1 and became an accredited private school with Alberta Education.
• We were located at 451 Northmount Drive N.W. for 2003-2005 for Grade 1 & 2.
• In 2003 we added Martial Arts and Yoga to our P.E. classes from Kindergarten and above.
• In September 2004 we added Grade 2.
• In September 2005 we added Grade 3.
• In September 2006 we added Grade 4.
• In September 2005 we added an afternoon Spanish bilingual Jr. Kindergarten class.
• In September 2005 we chose to offer only Spanish classes for Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten.
• In June 2005 we moved into our new location at 599 Northmount Drive N.W. and offer Kindergarten to Grade 4. We are now across the road from our Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten programs at 600 Northmount Drive N.W.
• Our Grade 3 Provincial Achievement tests from June 2006 placed us 2nd for Math and 3rd for Languague Arts for the Standard of Excellence category for Accredited Private Schools in Calgary.
• Due to a problem with our Elementary School lease, and not being able to find another suitabley zoned location for our Elementary School in NW Calgary, we will not be taking registration for Grades 1-5 as planned for September 2007.
• We will continue to operate our Preschool, Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten at 600 Northmount Drive NW (our original location).
• In January 2007 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2007” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
• In January 2008 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2008” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
• In March 2009 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2009” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
• In 2009 our teachers were all trained in the award winning Handwriting Without Tears curriculum and it was implemented into our programs.