Emily Follensbee School specializes in providing educational programs for students attending Kindergarten to Grade 8, who are considered medically fragile with multiple and severe complex learning needs, including those with:

• Cognitive disabilities 
• Physical disabilities 
• Sensory impairments 
• Medical/health needs 
• Augmentative/alternate communication needs

Because Emily Follensbee School is a unique setting school, all students are assessed and referred to our specialized program through the CBE Inclusive Learning Team. For more information, please visit our How to Register page.

Mission

Each student, in keeping with their individual abilities and gifts, will complete high school with a foundation of learning necessary to thrive in life, work and continued learning.

Values

Students come first. Learning is our central purpose. Public education serves the common good.  

Results

Our students will experience academic success and growth in their understanding of citizenship, personal development and character. 

Emily Follensbee School Beliefs

• Each individual should be treated with dignity and respect.
• All children can learn and experience success.
• Providing a caring and supportive environment facilitates student learning.
• Every learner makes a positive contribution to the learning environment and to society.
• Diversity is valued.
• Excellence is allowing each individual to develop to his or her full potential.
• At the heart of the learning experience is the relationship between the teacher/education assistant and the learner.
• All families have a meaningful and integral role in their children's education.
• It is important to foster community involvement both inside and outside the school.
• Teaming enhances individual and organizational growth and learning.
• Every individual is seen as a learner and we must all accept responsibility for developing and maintaining a strong collaborative culture based on trust, respect, ownership and risk taking.

Who Was Emily Follensbee?

Our school was named after Mrs. Emily Follensbee, who an advocate and pioneer in developing school for children with complex challenges. Emily was born in Houston, Minnesota in 1903. As a young girl, Emily moved to Saskatchewan with her family where she eventually pursued her career as a Teacher. Emily’s dream of having educational options for children with disabilities originated when her son, Alan, was born with a developmental disability and she was unable to enroll him in school in Calgary. As a mother and an educator, Emily identified a growing need amongst families who also struggled in finding adequate programming.  Emily was instrumental in in the founding of the association now called the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre, the Christine Meikle School and Emily Follensbee School.

Emily Follensbee School, named in recognition of her incredible work, opened in 1964 where she taught  from 1967 to 1972. Emily’s advocation and dedication has positively impacted the quality of life and education for people with disabilities.