Christ The Redeemer Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 3 - Amalgamation

Amalgamation

The history of Christ The Redeemer School Division since its inception has been one of innovation, rapid growth and academic achievement. The jurisdiction now serves over 7300 students in sixteen schools in seven communities and recently received the Minister's Education Leadership Award (MELRA) in an unprecedented seventeen categories.

The jurisdiction’s vision, mission and fundamental beliefs are brought to life by four foundational school community pillars including: faith; learning; safety and care; and stewardship.

As faith communities, schools embrace the teaching of the Magisterium of the Church. The Catholic faith permeates all that is done. Schools become faith communities when staff and students give witness to their faith. Jesus is the source of morals and values. Prayer is essential. As learning communities, schools believe the family is the fundamental unit of society and that parents are the primary educators of their children. The educational needs of all students must be met in a manner that does not deprive others of access to quality education. As safe and caring communities, schools believe that the infinite value of each person in God’s eyes must be reflected in all that is done. This calls for respect in all relationships. As good stewards of resources, schools are called to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. The Board of Trustees is accountable to the Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary, the Minister of Education, and parents and supporters. The Board provides direction to its staff and students.

From earliest days, the Division had a commitment to the needs of exceptional children. Within two years of its foundation, two new take out programs were introduced in all schools: Early Intervention programs (Kindergarten to Grade 3) targeting the needs of children at risk of academic delay; and, skills programs (Grades 4 to 12) designed to help students who were behind in academic performance. Teachers at common grade levels meet weekly to share strategies and compare student performance. And the metaresearch findings on effective teaching and classroom were endlessly repeated and incorporated into the working practices of the teachers and principals. As a result of this, Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools soon emerged as the top academic performer of all the school jurisdictions in Alberta, a position it holds to this day as measured by Alberta Education's Accountability Pillar Report Card.

As part of its stewardship of resources pillar, the jurisdiction has become a national leader in designing and constructing “green” school facilities. Most recently (2008), the newly constructed Holy Trinity Academy (Okotoks, Alberta, Canada) was built to LEED Gold standards; the first high school to receive this prestigious recognition in Canada. LEED refers to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. The recently opened Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy (Canmore, Alberta, Canada) was also designed and built to LEED Gold standards. It is anticipated that the new St. Anthony’s School (Drumheller, Alberta, Canada), currently under construction, will receive the same designation.