In the landscape of Canadian independent schools, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) holds a special place partly because of its International Baccalaureate (IB) teaching and learning practice continuum. It is worth highlighting in a province where 47 schools offer at least one IB programme, STS is one of only two Albertan schools offering the full programmatic continuum: PYP (Kindergarten to Grade 6), MYP (Grades 7 to 10) and DP (Grades 11 and 12).
Student Experience.
These two words represent the very essence of the Outdoor Education (OE) program at STS.
Rather than being passive participants, our students take on a central role in their own education – and shape nature’s wisdom into lessons that resonate specifically with them.
As educators, preparing our students for the future can be an intimidating concept. After all, predicting it with any degree of accuracy can be nearly impossible. However, by presenting a challenge, then teaching them how to examine, identify, research, communicate, empathize, and self-manage that challenge, they will be equipped with the versatility and resourcefulness to be ready for every possible future – no matter what path they choose to take.
What do we do well? What can we do better? How do we ensure academic excellence, rigour, and deep learning remain at the core of what we do? And how do we gauge how STS is meeting its mission and value-driven goal of continuous improvement across multiple fields?
50 years ago, it all began with an idea. In 1971, a group of forward-thinking, courageous leaders and educators broke ground on a new campus in a remote, rural area just south of Calgary, Alberta. Little did they know that this tiny school with big ideas would go on to become the gold standard of independent private education in Canada − and around the world. The STS of today is the result of five decades of vision, hard work, commitment, and love.
Navigating the backcountry, much like finding our way through life, school and social interactions, can be full of challenge, discovery, and wonder. The wayfinding process can also be filled with anxiety, dread, and exhaustion. Sometimes a single day, or even a single hour, can elicit all of these emotions and states.
The sense of community at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) is deep, crossing multiple generations. Todd and Esther Worsley say they are “big fans of the STS community” not only for the great education in the classroom, but for the caring relationships that develop between teachers, staff, and students.
In Alberta, we are fortunate to have an abundance of educational opportunities and school choice. Even amongst the independent school options, there is a wide variety of missions, programs, and focus-areas. To help you set your child on the right path, we've taken a step back and compiled this objective list of questions you can use to evaluate each school you are considering.
Our faculty are at the centre of the educational experience at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS). We hire talented, innovative and committed subject matter experts.
Extreme as they seem, adore or abhor them, STS summer bumps have had an immediate and profound impact on driver behaviour on campus
The story of STS has always been one of courageous vision and action. For over 100 years beginning with our founding schools, we’ve looked for fresh possibilities for a well-rounded, inspiring education – and made them a reality.
When Mr. Keller joined STS in 1972, no Outdoor Education (OE) program was being offered. Because Mr. Keller was an avid outdoors-man, students soon began asking Mr. Keller to take them along on his trips and he agreed.
On Saturday, February 2, STS hosted 330 people for the Provincial Speech Tournament. This final tournament of the year qualifies students for both the junior and senior national speech tournaments. For the first time this year, Alberta is able to send 14 representatives to the National Tournament and we are pleased to announce that 9 of the 14 students attending will be from STS and in the senior division, 4 of the 7 students representing Alberta are from Strathcona-Tweedsmuir!
It is our pleasure to announce that Mrs. Sloan Pipella-Clark '81 has been selected as the recipient of the Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award – the highest honour the School bestows upon its alumni.
In support of this season's winter giving campaign, STS collected goods for Stephen's Backpacks Society. An initiative that began 10 years ago in Calgary, Stephen's Backpack offers hope in a Christmas backpack gift for children in need.
On December 6, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School hosted Paul Davis, nationally recognized expert on social media and online safety.
Congratulations to Ali Poonja '12 who was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in late November.
This past weekend the Senior Boys and Girls volleyball teams travelled to Camrose, AB to compete in the 2A Provincials tournament. The teams left on Wednesday afternoon and managed to get to the venue in time to have some practice time in the gym and then settle into their hotel rooms. Following the opening ceremonies the next morning, the boys got to work on their pool play. The Thursday games against Our Lady of Mount Pleasant (25-20, 25-22) and Immanuel Christian (25-20, 19-25, 15-6) were hard fought and we came out victorious. The day was followed by a beautiful banquet for all the players provided by the tournament organizers.
The Senior Varsity Girls Volleyball team successfully extended their season by winning the South Central Zone banner and advancing to Provincials, held for both the boys and girls teams in Camrose, Alberta.
On Friday, two Middle School teams: Lakhshan Amin’22 and Shaheena Shajani ’22 and Lucy Coleman ’22 and Emma Mason ’22 competed at the Western Canada High School Debate tournament.
In recognition of National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, our students organized a number of events focused on bringing this important issue to the forefront, empowering all members of the STS community to play a role in building and reinforcing positive relationships and preventing bullying.
