Our School

Our School's Story

Sunalta School was built in 1912 on the west edge of town during Calgary’s development boom. It was built from sandstone taken from a quarry, which was part of a ravine just west of the school. Although the present facility was built in 1912, Sunalta School originally opened in 1910 as a two-room wooden structure located on 16th Street and 12th Avenue. In September of 1913, the new school opened its doors to students of Knob Hill, Sunalta and Killarney.

In 1957, Sunalta underwent modernization with the addition of two gymnasiums, showers and a music room. The addition was done in the modern style of concrete block, contrasting with the old sandstone structure. In approximately 1964, the old quarry and ravine just west of the school was filled in and became part of Crowchild Trail. The old schoolhouse stood as the city changed around it.

In 1995 Sunalta School celebrated the opening of a new computer lab and creative playground as well as the creation of a mural by local artist Dean Stanton.  The mural covers both a north and west-facing portion of the school and is seen by thousands of motorists on both Crowchild and Bow Trail every day. In 2010, the mural was updated as it had to be replaced when the wall was repaired. In 2005, a schoolyard naturalization project - Sunalta Habitat for Learning - was officially opened with shade and sunshine gardens, as well as a sandstone amphitheatre and stone labyrinth. To this day, Sunalta School’s position on a lofty ridge overlooking the valley of the Bow River, gives a beautiful view of downtown Calgary and the river valley.  

Over the course of its 100 year history, Sunalta School has served students from kindergarten to grade 9. Presently, the school houses a regular kindergarten to Grade 6 program and two system classes.

Since 1910, Sunalta School has maintained a proud tradition of excellence in public education. As the designated school for the communities of Scarboro and Sunalta, the school, in addition, serves a number of students from around the city who have chosen Sunalta as their school. We are very proud of our school, its history and continuing vitality.

Statement of Philosophy

At Sunalta School we are committed to a collaborative learning environment that encompasses individual growth, responsiveness to change, and success, believing that each child is a unique learner who is encouraged to attain his/her fullest potential.

We provide a positive, supportive and stimulating learning environment. Emphasis is placed upon helping our children develop into self-disciplined, caring, independent, life-long learners. Creativity and critical thinking are encouraged. We believe that students should become capable decision-makers, possess a sense of community and grow into responsible citizens.

We strive to provide a program that is balanced. To this end, we believe that four important program elements provide this balanced approach: (1) Academic excellence, (2) Daily physical education, (3) Strong fine arts program emphasizing creativity and expression, (4) Social responsibility with personal and character development.

We view Sunalta School as a home for the mind where all can work and grow together.

School Motto

"Working and growing together"

School Song

"I Love Sunalta"

Our school song was composed by local musician/composer, Wayne Immonen, who is also a parent at our school. It reflects the child-like wonder of school, and shows how much we all love this school, "no where else would I rather be".

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​​Our School's Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

We are committed to acknowledging and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action specific to education. Our school, along with all CBE schools, made a TRC Commitment to Action. On June 21, we renewed our commitment, which can be found under Resources.​​

Acknowledging the Land

We would like to acknowledg​​e the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot Nations, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani and the Kainai. We also acknowledge the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.​

​​​School Development Plan

​Each year, our school prepares a development plan with input from teachers, school staff, students and parents. We review many sources of data, including report cards, provincial achievement test results and school surveys. Based on this information, we create our plan identifying targeted areas for growth. Our school development plan is not meant to represent all of the work that takes place in our school, but rather it focuses on specific areas for improvement.​​​

​​​​School Improvement Results Report

Our school also prepares a results plan, which looks at our previous school year. It shows our students’ achievement and progress in meeting the goals and outcomes as set out by the CBE and Alberta Education, outlines some of the highlights of our school development plan and gives an overview of our school. You can look on the CBE website for system-wide results​.
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