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Program Unit Funding (PUF) for Children 2.8 Years old - 5 Years Old
Program Unit Funding (PUF)
The Government of Alberta provides Program Unit Funding (PUF) for children to access Early Childhood Services (ECS) for free, in an educational setting. This is programming for children who require additional support to help prepare them for Kindergarten and Grade 1. Depending on the level of support needed, children may have access to professionals like speech therapists, occupational therapists and more. Children can access PUF services as early as 2 years 8 months old. Children can access PUF for a maximum of 3 years, with the last year available in Kindergarten. Children must be at least 5 years old as of December 31 of the year they have started Kindergarten.
There are two ways PUF services are delivered,
- In independent ECS operators and community preschools (community based)
- In Special Needs congregated settings (facility based)
Community based – some PUF providers do not have the facility to provide services to children so they partner with community preschools and independent ECS operators. Not all preschools & ECS have PUF available so call your community preschool directly if you are interested and ask them if they could provide PUF supports for your child.
The following list includes service providers (agencies) that work with a child in their community school as well as some independent schools that have their own therapy team on site. These organizations can offer PUF services when FSCD funding for home services is not in place. Some also offer Mild/Moderate support for children without severe delays that do need extra help within the classroom.
Some service providers may offer FSCD rates, however not all professionals within an organization charge the same, so some may still require parents to top-up the rate. Please check in with each service provider individually.
Education Options for Children in Kindergarten to Grade 12
Our list of different school boards, including public schools from Calgary and surrounding area, along with their programs. We also have a list of private schools.
School Boards for Surrounding Communities
Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD)
The Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD) is the public catholic school board for Airdrie, Chestermere & Cochrane
Website: https://www.cssd.ab.ca/
Rockyview School District (RVS)
The Rockyview School District (RVS) is the public school board for Airdrie, Chestermere & Cochrane
Website: https://www.rockyview.ab.ca/
Foothills School Division (FSD)
The Foothills School Division (FSD) is the public school board for the Okotoks and surrounding area
Website: https://www.foothillsschooldivision.ca/
Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools
Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools is the public catholic school board for the Okotoks area
Website: https://www.redeemer.ab.ca/
Calgary Board of Education (CBE)
Please visit the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) website for the most up-to-date information. Placement into the specialized programs are by referral only from the school board, talk with the school learning team to learn more.
(EES) – Enhanced Educational Supports: Grades 1 to 6
Most of the elementary students with autism that previously were in CSSI, TASK or SKILLS classes were transferred to this program. The Enhanced Educational Supports (EES) class supports students in grades 1-6 with moderate to severe developmental delays.
(CSSI) – Communication, Sensory and Social Interaction: Grades 7 to 12
The CSSI class supports students with multiple and complex learning, behaviour, and communication needs. Learner supports and accommodations may include the use of assistive technology, augmentative communication systems, work-systems and sensory activities.
(TASC) – Teaching of Attitude, Social Skills and Communication: Grades 7 to 12
The TASC class is for students requiring significant learning, adaptive behaviour, and physical support. Students receive personalized and functional curriculum related to social-communication, play and leisure, daily living, safety, regulation, independence, leisure and pre-vocational skills.
(ACCESS): Grades 7 to 12
The ACCESS (Attitude, Community, Competence, Elements of Academic Curriculum, and Social Skills) class supports students with moderate to severe learning and adaptive behaviour needs. Students receive personalized and functional curriculum related to the development of functional academic, social-communication, independence, daily living, safety and leisure.
(ALP) – Adapted Learning Program: Grades 7 to 12
The ALP (Assisted Learning Program) supports students with moderate learning and adaptive behaviour needs. Students receive personalized and functional curriculum to support the development of literacy, numeracy, social-communication, independence, daily living, leisure, vocational and volunteering skills.
(PLP) – Paced Learning Program: Grades 4 to 12
The Paced Learning Program (PLP) supports students with mild to moderate learning and adaptive behaviour needs. Students receive personalized and functional curriculum related to the development of functional academics, social-communication, independence, daily living, safety, citizenship, leisure, vocational and volunteering skills
Bridges – Grades 1-12
The Bridges supports students who present with severe externalizing behaviours, which significantly impact their learning and social success in a traditional education setting. Curriculum modifications and instructional accommodations are implemented based on the individual needs of each student.
The Class – Grades 1-12
The Class supports students in Grades 1-12 who present with severe internalizing behaviours, which significantly impact their learning and social success in a traditional education setting. Curriculum modifications and instructional accommodations are implemented based on the individual needs of each student.
Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD)
Please visit the Calgary Catholic School District website for the most up-to-date information. Placement into the specialized programs are by referral only from the school board, talk with the school learning team to learn more.
Observation Class – Grades 1-6
A small class in a congregated setting within a regular school. The purpose of the placement is to determine the most appropriate educational program for students with severe and complex learning profiles. The program allows for enhanced monitoring and assessment. This is a 2-year program.
Supports for students with Autism
Connections Class – Grades 2-6
The Connections class is a congregated setting within a regular school. Students may be considered part of a regular education classroom and the Connections program. The program provides a high level of support to students with autism with average cognitive ability who require additional support and strategies with self-monitoring and regulation. Integration into the regular program may be immediate and consistent or gradual and varies according to the student’s profile and Learner Support Plan (LSP). Once these self-regulation skills are strongly established, students will return to their home school community. The average placement duration is 2 or 3 years.
St. Anthony Congregated School – Grades 1-12
This school is designed to meet the needs of students with complex developmental conditions such as autism and who have complex regulation, communication and behavioural challenges. It serves students from elementary to high school with severe developmental conditions with behavioural issues.
Cognitive Disabilities –Educational Support I, II and III – Grades 1-12
Educational Support I (ESI)
The Educational Support I (ESI) programs are provided for students with mild cognitive disabilities.
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- In elementary, students usually receive instruction in one or more core subjects within the congregated ESI classroom.
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- The junior high program provides instruction in academic and life skills with a focus on language arts and mathematics instruction. Time is also spent on social skills training.
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- For senior high, ESI is a three-year program which combines practical academic instruction and work experience opportunities in the community. Students graduate from this program with a certificate of completion, but do not receive a high school diploma.
The Educational Support II (ESII)
The Educational Support II (ESII) programs are provided for students with moderate cognitive disabilities.These programs emphasize the development of essential and supportive skills including communication skills, motor skills, academic skills, and life skills. Students may require assistance for personal care and safety as well as close supervision and one-on-one intervention. Students may receive consultation with speech, physical and/or occupational therapists. Integration with age-appropriate peers occurs according to individual student need, interest, skills, and abilities.
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- In elementary, students receive support with communication and academic skills.
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- For junior high, the focus is on daily living skills with an emphasis on the functional application of academic skills.
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- In senior high, social skills and where appropriate, job skills training are emphasized.
The Educational Support III (ESIII)
The Educational Support III (ESIII) programs are designed for students with severe cognitive disabilities. These programs emphasize the development of essential and supportive skills including communication skills, motor skills, life skills, and functional academic skills.
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- The program provides community-based instruction to allow students the opportunity to practice and transfer skills taught in the classroom to other environments.
Diverse Learning Class
For Airdrie, Cochrane and Chestermere – Grades 1-12, Chestermere 1-6. The Diverse Learning classes in satellite communities may include students with mild or moderate cognitive disabilities. Students receive instruction in one or more core subjects as well as life/adaptive skills. Participation in the regular classroom for other subject areas is considered as per the Learner Support Plan.
Emotional/Behavioural Disabilities
Starting Points (Grades 1-6)
The Starting Points program is a congregated setting within a regular school. The goal of the program is to assist the students in acquiring the necessary behavioural skills in order to integrate back into their home schools or other designated programs.
Transitions Programs (Grades 4-12)
These programs provide an opportunity for students with severe mental health difficulties, who have a history of being unsuccessful in a regular educational setting, to work in a safe treatment focused classroom environment that assists them in identifying their own emotional issues while allowing them to learn more acceptable coping strategies.
Congregated Behaviour Setting – Our Lady of Lourdes (Gr. 1-12)
This program is designed to meet the needs of students with complex social, emotional, family and/or academic and behavioural challenges. Students are referred to Our Lady of Lourdes by the school district because they have not been successful in their community school setting.
P.A.R.K Program – Program for At Risk Kids
Supports high school students who have a history of social, psychological, physiological, and academic concerns; an inability to cope within the traditional classroom setting; and are at risk of dropping out of school. This program is available in 2 school locations.
Fresh Start Outreach
There are two Fresh Start Outreach programs. The Junior High program, and the High School program.
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- The Junior High Fresh Start Outreach Program provides a different type of structured learning environment, based on individual student learning needs that creates opportunities for students to receive support and services that encourage personal success.
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- The High School Fresh Start Outreach Program serves those students who find it very challenging to be successful in a traditional learning environment.
Private Schools
Please visit each school website for the most up-to-date information. Here is a brief description of some of the private school options and how to contact them. Most private schools have tuition fees, although in some cases there may be financial assistance available for families who qualify.
Here is our list of private schools offering disability support. We have listed autism-specific private schools, and pan-disability schools (the acceptance of a student with autism is dependent on the level of support required compared with the level of supports the school is able to offer).
Janus Academy – Autism Specific Private School
The focus of Janus Academy has always been maximizing the potential of each student by enabling academic success and facilitating lifelong community integration. They offer educational programming for children 6 to 18 years of age with an autism diagnosis.
Email: janus.contact@janusacademy.org
Phone: (403) 262-3333
Website: www.janusacademy.org
New Heights Learning Services – Autism Specific Private School
New Heights School & Learning Services is a registered charitable organization and a tuition based school specifically for Autistic children. They offer a full day Kindergarten program and education program up to grade 12.
Email: admissions@newheightscalgary.com
Phone: (403) 240-1312
Website: www.newheightscalgary.com/
Calgary Quest School – Pan Disability School
Offers a variety of programs for Elementary, Junior and High School aged children. Each classroom employs a high ratio of staff who provide each student with support and guidance for learning and growing at their own pace.
Email: info@calgaryquestschool.com
Phone: (403) 253-0003
Website: www.calgaryquestschool.com
Renfrew Educational Services – Pan Disability School
Offers Early Childhood Services (ECS) Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs. They also offer an Elementary Education Program where the teachers modify their programs and focus on the individual areas for growth for each child.
Email: renfrew@renfreweducation.org
Phone: (587) 287-5746
Website: www.renfreweducation.org
The Third Academy – Pan Disability School
Offers Early Childhood Services (ECS) Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs. They also offer an Elementary Education Program where the teachers modify their programs and focus on the individual areas for growth for each child.
Email: info@thirdacademy.ca
Phone: (403) 288-5335
Website: www.thirdacademy.ca/
Home Schooling & Home Education
Alberta Homeschooling Association
The Alberta Homeschooling Association (AHA) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization advocating for educational choice in Alberta, supporting families through resources, updates, and lobbying for better policies, like access to school courses for homeschoolers. They offer info on Alberta’s home education rules, support for special needs, and connect families to resources, promoting self-directed learning while working with government and other boards to recognize homeschoolers’ unique needs
Email: albertahomeschooling@protonmail.com
Website: https://albertahomeschooling.ca/index.html
How to Register for School
See this section for information and guides on how to register for the public and private school boards, including when and how to register.
Register for Public School
Public School (CBE/CCSD)
See a guide provided by Nexus Immigration & Recruitment on how to register your child for either the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD)
1. Find Your Designated School
Every child in Calgary is assigned to a designated school based on their home address and chosen courses. Using the “Find a School” tool on the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) website, you can enter your address to see which school has been allocated to you. You can also explore the courses offered by each school, such as alternative programs, language courses, and special education programs.
2. Review Registration Dates and Deadlines
The registration dates and deadlines may vary depending on the school year and grade you’re applying for. For example, kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins in January 2025, while registration for grades 1-12 starts in February 2025. Some schools may even use a lottery system to accept students into full classes, so you’ll need to submit your registration form by a specific date to be included in the draw.
3. Complete the Registration Form
You can download the registration form from the school board website or obtain a copy from your designated school. Fill out the form, providing your personal information, contact details, previous education history, and course preferences.
4. Gather Required Documents
You will need to provide documents to verify your identity, residence, nationality, and guardianship, such as:
- Birth certificate or passport
- Previous school’s transcripts or transfer records
- Proof of address (e.g., utility bills, rental agreement)
- Proof of citizenship or residency (e.g., Canadian passport, citizen card, permanent resident card)
- Proof of guardianship (e.g., court order, adoption papers)
5. Submit Your Registration Form and Documents to Your Designated School
You can submit your registration form and documents in person or via email to your designated school.
6. Confirm Acceptance and Prepare for School
Once your registration is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation letter from your designated school. This letter will inform you of your admission status, course schedule, start date, orientation activities, and other details. Keep this letter safe, and don’t hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions or concerns. Start preparing for school by purchasing necessary supplies and uniforms, and arranging transportation.
Calgary Board of Education
Click here to be taken to the CBE website to register your child
Calgary Catholic School District
Click here to be taken to the CCSD website to register your child
Register for Private School
Private School
Calgary has a few private schools, some that are autism specific schools and some that are pan-disability (all diagnoses). Each private school has unique programs, applications processes & tuition fee’s. Although private schools are available, they often have waitlists for admission due to high demand (even if you can pay the tuition). Please visit the individual websites for more specific information. See below for a list of private schools in Calgary.