Melanie MoralesAre you shifting your child to homeschooling and need a registered board? Luckily, we’ve put together this list of schools in Edmonton to help you get started!
After extensive fact-finding, we’ve narrowed our list down based on the school’s reputation, programs offered, and assistance provided to parents.
If you’re ready to get started, read on for the best homeschooling boards in Edmonton.
How Much Does Homeschooling Cost in Edmonton?
We’re pretty sure that cost is at the forefront of your concerns with regards to homeschooling, so let’s get that out of the way first.
The province of Alberta provides homeschooled children with $850 worth of reimbursable expenses, which you can access by providing receipts to the school board you associate with. This government funding can be used for supplies, learning materials, or field trips.
Technically speaking, you have no tuition fees to speak of when conducting homeschooling, since your child is enrolled in your care. However, registering with a board may come with additional fees such as an enrollment fee or for optional extra curricular activities.
The table below illustrates some of the fees that you may encounter when registering with a school board. Take note that these prices are subject to change yearly.
| School Board | Additional Fees | Price |
| Argyll Centre | Field Trips | $25.00 |
| WISE | Enrollment Fee | $75.00 |
| TELUS | 30-minute program | $5.50 |
| 45-minute programs | $8.50 | |
| Edmonton Catholic School | Supplemental Education Fees | $153.00 |
| Caution Fee (Damage Deposit for Textbooks/Materials) | $90.00 | |
| Electronic Device User Fee | $35.00 | |
| Site Licences | $28.00 | |
| THEE | Special Material Purchasing | $100.00 |
| Parents Seminars & Workshops | TBD |
Based on these supplemental fees, it’s easy to see why a lot of parents prefer to homeschool their children. Not only are they in charge of their child’s curriculum, but they can control expenses as well.
The Best Homeschooling Boards in Edmonton
Now that you know what to look forward to in terms of expenses, we can now take a look at our picks for the top homeschooling boards in Edmonton.
1. Argyll Centre
| SERVICES | Online Learning, Parent Directed Learning, |
| WEBSITE | https://argyll.epsb.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 6859 100 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6A 0G3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 465-1299 Fax: (780) 465-1328 Email: [email protected] Director: Dr. Jean Stiles Email: [email protected] Phone: 780-465-1299 Assistant Principal: Matthew Whitman Email: [email protected] Phone: 780-465-1299 ext. 5299 Assistant Principal: Noel Taylor Email: [email protected] Phone: 780-465-1299 ext. 5231 Assistant Principal: Lindsay Inglis Email: [email protected] Phone: 780-465-1299 ext. 5286 Administrative Assistant: Jodi Boldt Email: [email protected] Phone: 780-465-1299 ext. 5295 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 8:30am – 4:00pm Tuesday: 8:30am – 5:00pm Wednesday to Thursday: 8:30am – 4:00pm Friday: 8:30am – 12:00pm |
Argyll Centre was first established in 1998, with humble beginnings as an “experiment” in online learning. Today, they’re an accredited board for homeschooling that’s facilitated by Edmonton’s public school system, offering all three main types of homeschooling methods.
This center’s main approach is asynchronous learning, which follows no prescribed schedule, but is coordinated by a formal teacher. Students are evaluated based on the completion of their assignments and projects, as opposed to everyday attendance.
Argyll Centre’s second offered program is synchronous learning, which includes live instruction from an educator similar to traditional classes. There is a daily schedule that’s required for them to attend, along with assignments that need to be completed.
Lastly, Argyll Centre features K-12 Parent-Directed Home Education programming, wherein parents take the reins in designing their child’s curriculum. However, the home education plan created under this program needs to be approved by the Home School Regulatory Board.
Despite needing approval, parents have the freedom to choose their academic resources, teaching processes, and evaluation methods. Argyll Centre’s facilitators take a backseat and will only serve as guides, helping the parents draft a Home Education Plan that meets requirements.
To be promoted to the next grade level, students associated with the Argylle Centre school board will have to take an assessment. This is also required for students that wish to receive their high school diplomas.
Now, if your child is already enrolled in Edmonton’s public school system, and you intend for them to shift to homeschooling, all you need is to request a transfer to Argyll Centre’s program before the start of the school year.
They also offer special opportunities and seminars for parents or guardians to learn more about educating their children at home. You may also register your kids for summer camps or enroll them in Art Classes for weekly or seasonal interactions with other children.
Pros
- Easy admission for existing public school students
- Provides seminars for parents to assist them with education plans
Cons
- Requires school-administered assessments
- Education plans need approval of regulatory board
2. The Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton
| SERVICES | Parent Child Group Play, Nursery, Kindergarten, Grade School, |
| WEBSITE | www.thewise.ca |
| ADDRESS | 7211 – 96 A Avenue Edmonton, AB T6B 1B5 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 466-3312 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday: 9:30am – 3:30pm |
The Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton (WISE), is a certified Home Education Associate Board in Alberta. They provide parent-directed homeschooling services in the province with their signature child-centered Waldorf approach.
With programs available from Kindergarten up to Grade 9, Waldorf believes creativity is central to learning. Enrolling your child here will help them explore the core subjects of social studies, language, science, and mathematics in an artistic way.
In connection to this, WISE has its own art supplies store named The Enchanted Garden, where you can buy art materials, toys, and books! It’s best to book an appointment first if you would like to visit the store during its operating hours.
However, enrolling your child in WISE requires parents to become members of The Waldorf Education Society of Edmonton. This non-profit organization operates the school and has an annual fee of $75.00 per family, which helps finance the guidance provided by facilitators and the supplies used for activities.
Pros
- Employs a voluntary contribution fee instead of tuition
- Has an on-site supplies store
Cons
- Must become a member of WESE to enroll
- Traditional homeschooling program only
3. Edmonton Catholic Schools
| SERVICES | Synchronous Instruction, Asynchronous Instruction (Revelation Online), Part-Time Alternative Self-Paced School (PASS) |
| WEBSITE | https://www.ecsd.net/8412 |
| ADDRESS | Alternative Education, 9624-108 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5H 1A4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 944-2000 Fax: (780) 944-2007 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Synchronous and Asynchronous Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 3:30pm PASS Operating Hours Monday to Friday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm |
Edmonton Catholic Schools provides a faith-based education program, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve. Their homeschooling division is under the Alternative Learning Division, providing three main types of instruction.
They offer synchronous online learning that’s guided by an educator in real-time, which is ideal for full-time students. A daily schedule is followed during regular operation hours with required attendance and participation, similar to traditional schooling.
This school also offers full-time asynchronous learning for grades 10-12 under the Revelation Online moniker, with facilitators supporting students only when needed. This independent online learning platform doesn’t follow a daily schedule and allows students to learn and work at their own prescribed pace and hours.
Their third program is the Part-Time Alternative Self-Paced School (PASS), which is parent-directed learning or traditional homeschooling. Teachers and parents collaborate to create an education plan that’s best suited for the child, with modules and requirements to be completed by the end of the year.
While parents are the main supervisors of their child’s education in PASS, regular feedback is provided by the teacher on their progress. Continuous assessments will also be conducted so both the parent and child know how they are doing at all times.
PASS is not for the full-time student and is better suited for those who are looking for supplementary credits in their secondary education. The courses in this program are similar to tutoring services designed to help children leverage their education, thereby increasing their chances of acceptance in post-secondary schools.
Pros
- Complete course outlines available online
- Offers all three methods of homeschooling
Cons
- Religion is a mandatory part of the curriculum
- No financing options for Alternative Learning or PASS
4. THEE (Traditional Home Education Experts)
| SERVICES | Traditional Parent-Driven Home Schooling, Shared Responsibility, Diploma, Individual Course/Credit, Traditional Tutoring |
| WEBSITE | https://thee.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 310 Broadview Road Sherwood Park AB T8H 1A4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 467-5511 Fax: (780) 467-5514 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm |
Traditional Home Education Experts (THEE) offers guidance for parent-driven homeschooling conducted in Alberta. In collaboration with Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS) they have been assisting families since 1992 with both a secular and faith-based curriculum.
THEE offers parents both a parent-driven program as well as a shared responsibility curriculum, with the latter involving a combination of both parents and facilitators taking turns in teaching the child.
For high school credits, they provide assessments and grade evaluations, ensuring that they receive the appropriate education for post-secondary schooling. Experienced facilitators will ensure that no matter what method of homeschooling is used, you’ll get the academic counseling needed.
THEE will always respect that parents are in charge of their child’s education and won’t mandate any instructional method or academic resource. We like that parents are free to select their own facilitator as well, but may also be provided one at random if they choose.
You won’t be required to meet your facilitator in your home with THEE since meetings may even be conducted virtually! However, the school recommends meeting in the child’s learning environment so that a more accurate assessment can be made.
Pros
- Provides both secular and faith-based support
- Can choose assigned facilitator
- Offers diploma and individual credit courses for high school
Cons
- Specializes in teachings Grades 10-12
- Only portion of funding is received for shared responsibility learning
- Doesn’t offer synchronous learning
5. TELUS World of Science Edmonton
| SERVICES | Virtual Home School Days, Dedicated Virtual Home School Program, Home School Thursdays |
| WEBSITE | https://telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca/educators/home-school-programs/ |
| ADDRESS | 11211 142 St NW, Edmonton AB Canada T5M 4A1 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 780-451-3344 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday – 8:30am- 4:30pm Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am – 4:00pm |
TELUS is a popular facility in Edmonton for both tourists and residents alike, offering interactive exhibits and shows centered around Science. The center likewise provides Virtual Home School Programs for teachers and tutors to complement their existing education plans.
Their main program is Dedicated Virtual Home School Days which is held every Monday only. Some of the programs include the likes of “Connecting With the Stars”, which gives an introduction to outer space, while classes such as “Weather Wonder” offer children a look into meteorology.
Since TELUS provides a supplemental program and not an actual curriculum, payment is for each class or series of classes. On average, it is $5.50 for each 30-minute program, $8.50 for 45-minute programs, and a series of programs averages around $200.
We like that if you become a full-time member at TELUS, you’re eligible for a 10% discount for all programs along with special rates for the restaurants and exhibits at the center. You’ll also have free admission to over 350 other science centers worldwide, via the ASTC Passport Program and the CASC Reciprocal Agreement.
Homeschooled children will also be able to visit the TELUS Science Center in person every Thursday for a discounted rate of $5. They can view an IMAX movie, watch the Zeidler Dome show, or check out the exhibits at The Science Behind Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Pros
- Can pay per class as opposed to a yearly tuition
- Includes discounted rates for in-person visits
Cons
- Only up to 4 sessions per program series
- Focused on science only
FAQs about the Best Homeschooling Boards in Edmonton
This concludes our list of the homeschooling boards in Edmonton. We hope you were able to find a school from this list that fits your education plan!
If you have any recommendations of other schools that aren’t on our list, send us a message, and we’ll make sure to check it out.
Now if you need help to find extracurricular activities for your child during their homeschooling education, we’ve got you covered! Check out our list of the best kids activities in Edmonton to give your kids a break from hitting the books.
