The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees has approved over 40 newly developed and renewed courses for schools across the city.
Courses range from astronomy and personal and professional skills, to Tipi making.
Alberta Education requires school jurisdictions to formally authorize or reauthorize locally developed courses used at the junior high and high school level, including courses acquired from other school districts, according to the June 17 CCSD Board of Trustees meeting agenda.
“Approvals are generally granted for a four-year term, however, in cases where the course is under review or where there is a curriculum change scheduled, this time may be shorter, depending on the permission from the developing jurisdiction or Alberta Education,” the agenda reads.
“For 2026-2027, the district has completed this process for the following courses, including authorization through the Chief Superintendent’s office, so that students may access these courses as part of their studies.”
After the approval, schools across the city will be offering a range of renewed courses, including Musical Theatre Performance, Astronomy and History of War and Warfare, among others.
“Musical Theatre Performance was jointly developed by the Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division and the Calgary Board of Education for an authorization period from the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year to the end of the 2029-2030 school year,” the agenda reads.
“It replaces the former Musical Theatre course and will be used by students at All Saints, Bishop Carroll, Bishop O’Byrne, Father Lacombe, Notre Dame, St. Francis, St. Gabriel the Archangel and St. Mary’s High Schools.”
Inclusive offerings on Indigenous learning, transition to adulthood
Among the courses offered are four Indigenous education courses, including Beading, Medicine Wheel, Seven Teachings and Tipi Making, all offered as 3-credit high school courses.
The agenda says that these courses are intentionally designed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
“Each course emphasizes hands-on, land-based and experiential learning: Beading and Tipi Making teach not only technical skills, but also stories, protocols and relationships connected to those practices,” it reads.
“Seven Teachings and Medicine Wheel courses support students’ holistic development including mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.”
Five courses with material surrounding the transition from youth to adulthood were also approved, including Developing Personal Integrity, Personal and Professional Skills, Social Emotional Wellbeing, Surviving Financially as an Adult and Workplace Essential Skills.
Bishop McNally, Our Lady of the Rockies, Bishop O’Byrne, St. Mary’s, St. Francis, Father Lacombe, Bishop Carroll, Bishop O’Byrne, Notre Dame, St. Anne and St. Gemma all have some level of interest in offering the courses, according to the agenda.
