Give Your Child the Best Start to Their Education with CTR Catholic Schools
Open Houses Coming Up In Okotoks and High River (see details below)
For families in Okotoks and the Foothills, choosing the right first school experience is a big decision. To help give your child the best start to their education, Christ the Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools offers a strong foundation through Little Flower Pre-Kindergarten and full-day Kindergarten programs designed to help children build early skills, confidence, friendships, and a true sense of belonging in a safe, caring, faith-filled environment.
Little Flower Pre-Kindergarten: A First Step
For many children, Pre-K is their first introduction to a classroom community. CTR’s Little Flower Pre-Kindergarten, offered locally at St. Mary’s School and École Good Shepherd School, provides a warm, play-based start that supports children’s growth in language, early number sense, independence, and social-emotional development.
Full-Day Kindergarten: More Time to Learn, Play, and Connect
CTR’s Kindergarten programs focus on learning through play, daily skill-building, and strong relationships, with options that meet family needs, including full-day, five days per week or two full days per week.
Through an authentic Catholic education, your child will EXPLORE their world through story, numbers, and play in the classroom and in nature. They will CONNECT with God, with others, and with the world, and GROW while teachers walk with them as they learn through discovery, relationships, and faith. CTR Catholic promotes the spiritual, academic, cultural, physical, and social development of all students in a safe and caring environment.
Teachers across the division are seeing the difference that consistent, full-day learning time can make.
“At Holy Spirit Academy, we strive to develop students' love of learning, faith, and curiosity for the world around them. A unique aspect to HSA’s kindergarten program is the introduction of our ‘loose parts play’ program. Through loose parts play, students are able to use their imagination, create, and problem-solve all through collaborative play. This type of play fosters authentic opportunities to develop our student’s language and social skills. Additionally, kindergarten students have opportunities to explore the outdoors daily, building strong academic foundations in literacy and numeracy. Our Kindergarten program aims to develop the whole child in a thoughtful and loving environment,” Paula Hamilton, kindergarten teacher Holy Spirit Academy.
Darren and Breanna, École Good Shepherd School parents, had this to say, “We have seen our son grow into a more confident, smart, and kind individual and we know that school has played a big part towards this development. The stories he has shared about school and the number of times we have heard “I learned that from my teacher” are too many to count! She taught the kids how to treat one another with respect, how to have fun, how to work through conflict, how to regulate big feelings, and how to learn, allowing them to grow into the best versions of themselves. She has also done an incredible job of teaching kids about their Catholic faith in a meaningful and authentic way, both through action and understanding .”
“At St. Mary’s School, our Kindergarten program nurtures a strong sense of belonging within a warm, faith-filled community. Through purposeful play and early academic learning in literacy and numeracy, children build foundational skills, confidence, and independence, and develop positive relationships as caring members of God’s community,” Mrs. Edwards, Kindergarten Teacher, St. Mary’s School
CTR Schools Showcase Strong Academic Results
CTR schools continue to demonstrate strong results on Alberta Education’s assurance measures. In 2024 to 2025, CTR reported 92.6 per cent on the Education Quality measure compared to the provincial result of 87.7 per cent. CTR also reported 91.6 per cent for Welcoming, Caring, Respectful, and Safe Learning Environments compared to the provincial result of 84.4 per cent.
Superintendent Dr. Andrea Holowka says the division’s focus is clear: strong learning in a community where every child is known and supported. “In the early years, we focus on belonging, strong instruction, and faith in action. We want every child to feel safe, valued, and capable so they can thrive as learners and as people.”
Parents echo that experience. “The St. Francis of Assisi Academy Kindergarten program is an incredibly welcoming place for all and is the perfect place for these little kiddos to transition into full time schooling. The care, compassion and energy given by the entire school and especially the kinder teachers is second to none. We are truly blessed to have these teachers in our kids' lives and we are so thankful every day for their dedication to our community,” says Joanna P.
“We’ve been so grateful for a kindergarten program that builds confident learners through play, outdoor exploration, and meaningful relationships. The faith-based environment emphasizes kindness, compassion, and belonging, making every family feel welcome. Our children feel supported, encouraged, and deeply loved by their teachers each day,” said St. Mary’s parent Carmen K.
Okotoks and High River Open Houses
Families are invited to tour local schools and meet staff at these upcoming open houses:
St. Mary’s School, Okotoks
Open House: Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6:00 p.m.
42 Cimarron Trail
stmarys.redeemer.ab.ca
403-938-8048
St. Francis of Assisi Academy, DeWinton
Open House: Thursday, Jan. 22 at 5:00 p.m.
3156 Highway 552 East, RR1
stfrancis.redeemer.ab.ca
587-757-8702
École Good Shepherd School, Okotoks
French and English Programming
Open House: Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
52 Robinson Drive
goodshepherd.redeemer.ab.ca
403-938-4318
Holy Spirit Academy, High River
Open House: Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
#4 - 21 Street SE, High River
https://holyspirit.redeemer.ab.ca/
403-652-2889
Registration Is Open
CTR welcomes all families, whether they are Catholic or not, who value a faith-based education rooted in strong learning, strong relationships, and character development.
Before and after school care is available at all Okotoks locations. Registration for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten is open now. Families can register by visiting their school website or redeemer.ab.ca.