7 of the Largest Schools In Calgary Today

Calgary is a city located in Southern Alberta, Canada near the Great Plains and the Canadian Rockies. It is a beautiful place, and the largest schools in Calgary reflect its desirability as a place to live. It is a hub for good food and tourism, enterprises like banking, wood, electronics, and machinery processing. According to Brittanica, the development of public transportation has really contributed to the accessibility of the city of Calgary. Some of the major educational institutions in Calgary, including the University of Calgary, and Mount Royal University, utilize the transportation options from campus. Overall, Calgary is a beautiful place to live and go to school, so it's no wonder enrollment is up!

Read on to learn more about the largest schools in Calgary today. We'll focus on higher educational institutions with the exception of one very large high school. Take a look at the academic offerings of these universities and why they have such a high enrollment. From major courses to extracurricular opportunities, not to mention the natural beauty of the surrounding area, there's lots to learn about! So, stick around as we do a deep dive into the reasons for such a high rate of enrollment specifically in Calgary schools, and learn which option may be a good fit if you've ever considered schools in Canada!

1. The University of Calgary

2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4

Starting off strong with the University of Calgary which has an enrollment of over 34,000 students between its undergraduate and graduate program offerings. This institution was founded in 1966 and now has five campuses, 14 state-of-the-art facilities, and over 250 academic programs to choose from. The student body is made up of around 26,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate students. Outside of academics, the University of Calgary has a booming athletics program with over 500 student-athletes and many Olympic and Paralympic medals to their name. Rankings-wise, the University of Calgary is considered a top research university with many Rhodes scholars, investors, and innovator alumni.

2. Bow Valley College

345 – 6 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 4V1

Next, we have Bow Valley College which has an enrollment of around 17,000 students. This is a public, community college that serves the Calgary area. First started around 1963, this institution soon became what's considered a vocational center, offering short-term programs, and ESL training. Into the 1990s it grew in size and resources becoming a board-governed institution in 1998. Since then, the college has strived to make this an accessible, powerful tool for education for the Calgary community. Bow Valley College offers apprenticeships, community studies programs, English language learning, employment resources, and professional development certificates.

3. Mount Royal University

2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4

Mount Royal University has 15,573 enrolled in its programs. They offer 13 degrees, encompassing 36 major areas of study. They offer everything from BAs in Anthropology and Criminology to Interior Design, Midwifery, Geology, and Social Work. Check out more of their course and program offerings here.

4. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

1301-16 Avenue NW, Calgary Alberta, T2M 0L4

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has an enrollment of between 10,000 and 15,000 students. Also known as SAIT, this institution offers programs in business, trades, engineering, media arts, digital technology, hospitality, and medical training. They also have apprenticeships and academic upgrading courses, a 91% post-graduate employment rate, and state-of-the-art facilities.

5. Sir Winston Churchill High School

5220 Northland Drive NW Calgary, Alberta, T2L 2J6

Sir Winston Churchill High School is one of the largest schools in Calgary, with over 2,000 students enrolled. Under the umbrella of the Calgary Board of Education, this school first opened in 1970 for students in grades 10th to 12th. The first school in Canada to achieve International Baccalaureate status, this school has all kinds of fantastic facilities. There's a full-sized gymnasium, a fitness center, learning commons, electronics and computer labs, and a theater.

6. Alberta University of the Arts

1407 14 Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4R3

The Alberta University of Arts is an art school with some of the largest studio facilities in Canada. With an enrollment of just under 2,000, it has some of the most talented up-and-coming artists, craftspeople, and designers. They offer Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design degree programs, and Masters Programs as well. There are 11 areas of concentration, study abroad options, mentorship opportunities, and more.

7. St. Mary's University

14500 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Alberta T2X 1Z4

St. Mary's University in Calgary has an enrollment of just over 1,000 students at its research university. This institution is accredited in programs for Liberal Arts, the Sciences, and Education. They over BA programs in elementary and secondary education, English, history, psychology, catholic and social justice, and biology, among other programs. They also offer certificates in Catholic Education Leadership, Religious Education, and a diploma in Ministry.

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