About Renfrew

Always Innovating

At Renfrew, we’re proud to provide unique and innovative programs, services, spaces, technology and equipment. From our state-of-the-art Mind and Movement Rooms to our service dog Renny, we think you’ll be excited by what we can offer your child and family.

Renfrew Educational Services is a registered Canadian charity and designated Special Education School in the province of Alberta. Since 1974, we’ve welcomed families and children with significant special needs, including diagnoses such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Global Development Delays.

What began as a modest community kindergarten has grown into a world-class educational leader serving some 550 children each year across four school locations. Thousands more children in Calgary and area also benefit from Renfrew’s services offered to school boards, organizations, First Nations and families in the community.

Our Schools

We currently serve children in preschool through Grade 6 from our Janice McTighe Centre, Child Development Centre, Bowness Centre, and Thomas W. Buchanan Centre locations. To best meet the needs of the children, all of our classes are small and a low ratio of adult staff member for students is maintained.

Recently, we purchased land in Bearspaw to develop a new school that will serve children with special needs from preschool through Grade 12.

Our Team

Our transdisciplinary team includes certified teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, family support workers, music therapists/specialists, and child development facilitators. We also have d-deaf and hard of hearing, vision, assistive technology and audiology specialists available to our student population and the broader community.

Vision, Mission and Values

As we’ve grown and expanded, we’ve always stayed true to our vision, mission, values and guiding principles. We honour our past while seeking new and creative ways to continue doing what we do best: Helping Kids Soar!

Vision

To create exceptional learning and supportive experiences in an optimal environment, opening a world of possibilities for every child and youth while welcoming and supporting families and caregivers.

Mission

We exist to serve and to provide the best possible programs and services so that children and youth can grow and work towards their potential.

Core Values

• Respect for each child, youth, and family/caregiver
• Commitment to continual learning and innovation
• Honour our commitment to staff to provide the resources needed to do the job, a safe inclusive environment and opportunities for growth and professional development
• Dedication to safe and caring environments
• Commitment to meet the needs of children, youth, families/caregivers, and staff
• Committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace
• Honour and value diversity in the workplace, classrooms, families and in the community
• Honouring our legacy into the future

Guiding Principles

• We believe that intervention is crucial to the development of every child and youth.
• We believe that children and youth deserve the best intervention and program planning, based on current best practices and research to reach their full potential.
• We believe that both the dignity and worth of the family must always be respected and enhanced.
• We believe in family centred practice.
• We respect the cultural and diverse needs of our families/caregivers. Our programs and services are flexible and responsive to their inherent differences.
• We are committed to supporting staff to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to meet the needs of children, youth and their families.
• We believe in providing a continuum of programs and services creating a wrap-around approach for children, youth, families/caregivers.

Funding

Renfrew is funded by Alberta Education, Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority, City of Calgary – Family and Community Support Services, as well as private foundations and donors.