What’s Behind Calgary's Private School Tuition?

Calgarians weighing their education options might be curious about how those hefty $20,000 annual fees are spent. Many private schools operate as non-profits, but the financial picture is far more complex than a simple fee breakdown, especially considering the significant provincial funding they receive. So, where does your money go, and how much of it is actually yours?

The assumption that your tuition just covers top-notch facilities and ubiquitous tech access is partially correct, but it masks a contentious reality. A substantial amount of the budget is indeed invested in small class sizes and highly specialized programs that public schools often cannot afford. However, the private school model in Alberta is heavily supported by the public purse, which is currently fueling a provincial firestorm.

Fact Check: You're Paying for More Than Just Tuition

• The Subsidy Shock: In Alberta, accredited private institutions receive an estimated 70% of the operational funding that a public school student gets—the highest rate of private school subsidization in Canada. This means that even with your $20,000 tuition, approximately $5,000−$7,000 per student is already redirected from the public education budget.
• The "Competitive Salary" Myth: While many private schools match or slightly exceed the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) salary grid, this is often offset by potentially weaker benefits, such as pension contributions, compared to the comprehensive package public teachers receive. The real hiring perk for private schools is the promise of smaller class sizes, an environment that the public system, currently fighting over funding and classroom complexity, often cannot guarantee.

The Labour Action Context

The recent province-wide teachers' strike and lockout (October 2025) has magnified this financial dynamic. While public teachers walked off the job to protest over-crowded classrooms and lack of resources, the public debate has intensely focused on the $461 million that is annually directed toward independent schools. Critics argue that this substantial public subsidy directly contributes to the resource deficits causing the current crisis in the public system.

For local families, the decision is now more complex than ever. It's about weighing the clear advantages of a resource-enriched private environment against the knowledge that a major portion of your school’s budget is drawn from the struggling public system. In Calgary, where educational choices are diverse, understanding these contentious financial dynamics is key to making a truly informed choice. Stay savvy, Calgary! Make those school choices with both confidence and critical awareness.