The foundation of learning is established during the early childhood years and with this in mind, the staff at Edelweiss strive to provide the very best in early childhood education for each of our students.
Our goal and purpose is to instill a love of learning within each child. We offer a total program which includes four aspects of development: social, emotional, intellectual and physical. Our educational curriculum includes Science, Math, Reading Readiness, Spanish, Art, Drama and Music. By the children being immersed into an environment of “question” and “discovery”, they are provided with the opportunity to learn “how to learn”.
Our preparatory program not only benefits and challenges the child intellectually, but also promotes a spirit of respect and co-operation among the children when dealing with their peers.
Each child develops at their own pace and we are here to facilitate and encourage each individual as they set out on the life-long journey of learning. Search Description
“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of becoming.” - Goethe
With an impressive history spanning 28 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 from the Cambrian Heights community. The school has grown considerably since then and offers 10 different classes to Preschool, Jr Kindergarten and Kindergarten students.We now have an enrollment of 154 students attending at various times and days.
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.
We are licensed with Alberta Children’s Services for our Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten.
We have always operated in the Cambrian Heights community building since we began in 1987 and continue to operate Preschool, Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten there
We were featured on CFCN news in a feature on the uniqueness of our school in 1995.
In 1999, we added a Cultural Awareness program to our Kindergarten curriculum. An article in the Mirror was written about this special program.
In 2003, we added a Spanish program for our students.
In 2003 we began an Elementary school and our Kindergarten and Grade 1-4 programs were located at 599 Northmount Drive N.W. Our Grade 3 Provincial Achievement tests from June 2006 placed us 2nd for Math and 3rd for Language 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 suitably zoned location for our Elementary School in NW Calgary, we closed the elementary school in June 2007.
We continue to operate our Preschool, Jr. Kindergarten at 600 Northmount Drive NW (our original location).
In 2007 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2007” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
In 2008 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2008” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
In 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.
In 2010 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2010” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
In 2011 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2011” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
In 2012 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2012” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
In June 2012 after offering Kindergarten for 17 years, we ended the Kindergarten program and now offer a 5 Day AM or PM Jr Kindergarten program for 4 and 5 year olds in it’s place. The was in an effort to meet parent’s choices.
In 2013 we were awarded “BEST PRESCHOOL 2013” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.
In 2015 we began to operate Kindergarten again as a split JK/K class in the AM or PM.
In 2015 & 2016 we were awarded “HONORABLE MENTION” from Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Awards.