Rundle College

Our students are accepted into highly competitive post- secondary programs throughout the world on the basis of their final marks in our academic program, including the diploma exam program. The academic results of Rundle College students consistently rise above the Provincial averages on subject-specific diploma exams, a direct reflection of the quality of instruction our students receive and their commitment to their studies.

We support and challenge students in the areas of their passions. Academically, this is done through our enriched programs, where students join like-minded individuals in their pursuit of excellence, tackling topics and activities that go beyond the confines of the curriculum. In alignment with our values, students are supported as they embrace interests beyond academics. Rundle College’s program of studies provides students with time to focus on mental and physical wellness, volunteering, athletics, co-curricular clubs, and humanitarian pursuits.

As a member of the Calgary Independent Schools’ Athletic Association, Rundle is widely known for the strength of its Cobra athletics program. We currently offer programs in:

• Badminton
• Basketball
• Cheer Team
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Rugby
• Soccer (all-gender)
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Graduating student athletes often continue their athletic pursuits at post-secondary institutions across Canada and abroad. Students have the opportunity to participate in both competitive and noncompetitive athletics.

The following programs give our Jr. High students the opportunity to further develop their character and leadership skills.

• Animal Rescue
• Eco/Enviro Club
• The L.E.A.D.E.R.S Council
• STARters Service
• WEB

In the Senior High, students can participate in numerous character and leadership programs that inspire confidence and empathy.

• The Ascent Leadership program
• c.Lab mentorship
• CAUSE, our service learning group
• The Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Grad Committee
• International Travel Trips
• Jr. Cobras coaching
• Peer Support
• Peer Tutoring
• Rundle College Prefects
• Student Ambassadors

Many of our emerging leaders in the Senior High attend conferences throughout Canada and the United States.

These include:

• People to People Leadership Summit: Harvard/Stanford
• National Student Leadership Conference: Medicine & Health Care: UC Berkeley
• National Student Leadership Conference: Film & Fine Arts: UCLA
• Shad Valley – varying host universities
• WISEST – Women in Science and Engineering – U of C
• HYRS – Heritage Youth Researcher Summer Program

The extensive co-curricular program at Rundle is offered within and alongside the curriculum. Students participate in various artistic, athletic, character, and intellectual pursuits as part of the well-rounded education at Rundle.

Below is a sampling of the co-curricular programs offered at Rundle College High School. Programs change each year depending on the interest level of our students.

• Art Club
• Bamfield Science Trip
• Band
• Business Club
• Chess Club
• Competitive Speech
• Choir
• Drama Club & Drama Production
• International Travel
• Jazz Band
• Photography Club
• Reach for the Top
• Robotics
• Science Olympics
• Spanish Club
• Speech and Debate
• Student Exchange Program
• Yearbook
• University Ambassadors
• Vocal Ensemble

GOA’s Mission Statement: GOA’s mission is to reimagine learning to empower students and educators to thrive in a globally networked society.

 

Education Beyond the Classroom

At Rundle, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education while connecting them with the world around them. As Calgary and Alberta’s only member of Global Online Academy (GOA), our junior and senior students can take distance education classes online that are taught by another GOA member school’s faculty. With a selection of topics not otherwise offered, our students can learn asynchronously about topics most relevant to their development, on their own timeline.

Each class taken through GOA will count towards course credit – the same as a course taught in-person at Rundle. Our faculty also participate in GOA’s world-renowned professional learning programs as they seek to continuously improve their practice as modern educators.

• Collaboration & Communication
  With over 120 high-performing independent schools in the consortium, representing more than 25 countries and more than 30 states, there is endless opportunity to create global connections. Beyond the traditional learning of the class, students will collaborate with peers from around the world, honing their communication skills and learning from those outside of their immediate sphere.
• Time Management & Accountability
  Students will be responsible for managing their own schedule and keeping up on their coursework with the support of their teacher, keeping our students accountable and allowing them flexibility.

• Personalized Instruction
  Most importantly, the class sizes, like our own, are kept small, so students can continue to develop and maintain close relationships with their teachers and peers.
  These modern learning skills will serve them well in their post-secondary studies, their career, and their life.

Our fine art programs provide students with opportunities to build their creativity, confidence, and cultural awareness. Art, drama, and music are offered as electives for our students in grades 7-12.

Art:

Students can take art throughout junior and senior high towards building their art portfolio in Art 31. Students’ art is proudly exhibited throughout the school, and there are opportunities for public exhibits at special events, band concerts, and the Fine Arts Show.

Drama:

Drama fosters students’ positive self-concept as they explore life through assuming roles and acquiring dramatic skills. This imaginative exploration involves setting, “acting out”, and communicating within a dramatic situation. Students then reflect on the consequences. This reflection provides the platform for self-development. Students have opportunities to perform at the Remembrance Day ceremony, the Winter Gala, and the Spring Production.

Instrumental Music:

Instrumental Music offers a sequential and developmental approach to music instruction. Each level builds on previous learning and experiences. Music at the senior high level is a combined course for all senior high students. Students become comfortable with performing at higher levels and with peers who have more experience. Students develop competencies and strive for excellence in performing, listening, creating, researching, and valuing music.
Music students have the opportunity to take part in formal concerts in December and June. There are also a variety of other performance opportunities throughout the year including, but not limited to, Remembrance Day, Athletic events, and graduation.

Grades 7–9

In our junior high coding option, students explore Computer Science theory and its applications in programming and robotics. Through a computational thinking approach, students use programming languages such as Scratch and Python to develop their creative problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. The course also introduces students to different aspects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and cloud-based computing, and the ongoing and evolving social, political and economic impacts of these on our world.  (See STEM in Jr. High Science section). 

Grades 10–12

Senior high students research technological areas that are of interest to them as they prepare for their post-secondary journeys. For example, in our Technology and Innovation program, students focus on creative tech areas such as digital photography, digital drawings, CAD, videography, and audio mixing. Rundle’s partnership with Global Online Academy (GOA) provides our students with the opportunities to undertake a range of technological courses from block coding, programming, and more. Students also

Our entire Rundle community is involved in volunteerism and has given back 1000s of hours of service within Calgary and around the world.

All Grades 7-12 students participate in Rundle Volunteer Days, and many students continue to give their time to community service projects as members of Rundle’s CAUSE Club and as part of Rundle’s International Service Travel program.

Rundle partners our students, staff, and Rundle families with many local organizations to provide volunteer support:

• Brenda’s House
• Calgary Drop-In-Centre
• Calgary Food Bank
• Calgary Pathways Cleanup
• Calgary Zoo
• Children’s Cottage Volunteering
• Community Kitchen – Good Food Box Program
• Feed the Hungry
• Food Bank
• Grow Calgary
• Kerby Centre
• Mustard Seed
• Salvation Army Toy Angels

Student Services provides academic guidance, wellness support, and social and emotional counselling to ensure each student is well-supported in all areas of their life. This work aligns with Rundle’s mission to help students discover their potential and prepare them for an ever-changing world.

The senior high team also provides comprehensive career and post-secondary support including exploring different careers and learning opportunities, and helping with post-secondary and scholarship applications.

Academic support is offered to students through homeroom teachers, subject teachers, small group settings and/or individual sessions. There is also significant support offered to teachers to aid students’ academic development in the classroom.

The Traverse Post-Secondary Transition Program (The Traverse) is a Rundle-developed program that supports our graduating students as they transition into post-secondary education.

As demonstrated in academic research, students are most successful in transitioning into post-secondary education learning environments if they have the following skills and attributes: self-determination, learning strategies, and the ability to self-advocate.

For full details, please visit our Traverse webpage.

Grades 7-9 – Orientation Camp

All Junior High students attend an orientation camp at the beginning of the school year.  The goal is to foster a sense of community as a grade, welcome new students, and participate in a variety of outdoor educational pursuits.

Grade 8 – Cheakamus 

Cheakamus Center is an environmental education facility near Squamish, British Columbia. This four-night enrichment and leadership travel elevation links with Social Studies and Science. Activities include aquatic and rainforest studies, outdoor pursuits, and cultural studies of the Squamish people’s traditions.

Grade 9 – Japan 

Our Japan trip itinerary includes Tokyo, Osaka, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, and the historical-cultural centres of Nara and Kyoto. While visiting places studied in the Social Studies curriculum, travel highlights range from ancient temples to modern electronics, and include taiko drumming, sushi making, and a tea ceremony. 

Grade 9 – WEB Ambassadors 

WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Ambassadors attend a retreat to learn about leadership and team building.

Grades 9-12 – Band

Annual senior high band trips include international travel. Previous trips have been to Chicago, New York, New Orleans (to march in a Mardi Gras parade), Los Angeles, and San Francisco. On these trips, Rundle students pair with local high schools, participate in cultural events, and perform concerts for a wide range of audiences. Grade 9 students who participate in senior band throughout the year are also eligible to travel with the group.

Grade 10 – Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre provides an ideal setting for this four-day immersion learning experience. Temperate rainforests, rocky shores, open coastlines, sandy beaches, sheltered inlets, mudflats, and estuaries provide a dynamic learning environment for students and the scientists they work alongside.

Grade 10 – New Mexico

Grade 10 students travel to New México, visiting Albuquerque, Santa Fé, and several sights of interest in the area. Students enjoy cross-curricular activities focussing on fine arts, science, social studies and the Hispanic culture of the southern United States. 

Grade 11 – Leadership Conference

Grade 11 student leaders can apply to represent Rundle at the CAIS Student Leadership Conference: “The Student Leadership Conference is designed for students by students. Every spring, approximately 130 Canadian independent school student leaders come together to develop their leadership skills, complete a service project, and get to know other like-minded leaders from Canada’s top schools. With direction from a staff advisor, students from a host school develop programming, schedule speakers and organize trips to showcase their area of the country for the week of the Conference.” 

Grades 11-12 – Service Learning 

Rundle’s service learning trips hone students’ understanding of global citizenship. Our students have travelled to Cambodia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Kenya, Vietnam and, Peru.

When is the first day of school?
The first day of school is Thursday, August 31, 2023 with a staggered return. Each school will communicate when specific grades will attend. 

What time does school start?
Junior High classes start at 8:30 am. Senior High classes start at 8:40 am.

What time does school dismiss? 
Junior High dismissal is at 3:10 pm Monday – Thursday and at 12:55 pm on Fridays.
Senior High dismissal is at 3:35 pm Monday – Thursday and 1:15 pm on Fridays. 

When can students be dropped off at school?
Junior High classrooms will be open at 8:00 am each day and the Senior High will be open at 7:45 am each day. All students can proceed directly to their homeroom/TA classroom or wait in the Great Hall. The school is open at 7:00 am for students arriving for team practices. 

How long can students be at school each day?
Supervision ends at 4:00 pm each day, however, the school remains open to accommodate school teams and evening user groups. Students are welcome to remain in the school until the early evening on occasion, if pickup is delayed or if they are participating in a sport or club event.

When will the students receive their class schedule?
Jr. High students are grouped by Home Room. Home Room lists will be posted in the Great Hall on the first day of school. Home Room Teachers will hand out complete student class schedules.
For Senior High, students will receive an email in mid-August advising schedules are accessible through PowerSchool. 

What school supplies will the students need to bring?
Students are asked to bring a notebook and a pen/pencil to the first day of classes. Teachers will then provide students with a detailed list of required supplies. Locks for student lockers will be given out on the first day. 

Is bus service available?
Rundle College Jr. Sr. High School is conveniently located close to numerous Calgary Transit bus routes and the 69th LRT Station. Rundle College does not offer private bus service. 

Do Rundle students wear a uniform?
Yes, here at Rundle we encourage your child’s individuality to shine through their actions, behaviours and thoughts. Fostering a sense of school pride and instilling a sense of responsibility for their attire, your child’s attention is free from distractions and focused on their academics and character building while wearing the Rundle uniform.

It is expected that each student is in uniform each day unless it is a designated dress down day. The Rundle blazer forms part of the formal uniform and is worn at all assemblies and special occasions. Students will be notified of the formal uniform requirement. Students find it most convenient to keep their blazers in their lockers for such special occasions. See our detailed uniform requirements.

Do you send out report cards?
Throughout the year, student academic achievement is reported on a live and continuous basis through our PowerSchool student management portal.  Students receive login credentials that allow them to view course outlines, marks, and late and absentee reporting. Parents will use the same login information to gain access to our PowerSchool reporting system. A final report card is available for download, in PDF format, at the end of June.

What are the days off throughout the year?
Please visit our School Events Calendar on the website under What’s Happening or on the Parent Portal under MyRundle in the top navigation menu.

Does Rundle College offer Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses?
The focus of the Rundle College Senior High Program is to support our students within the rigours and challenges of the Alberta education system. Historically, our program has enabled students to be awarded top scholarships and to be accepted into the most competitive postsecondary programs across the country and internationally. The rationale for AP and IB courses do not align with the goals and priorities of Rundle’s academic program. 

What are your parent volunteer expectations?
Volunteerism is part of the character development program for our students and an important part of our culture at Rundle College. Parent volunteering within our schools supports our programs and further enriches and strengthens our Rundle community. Each campus has a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) that provides numerous opportunities for parents to enjoy the benefits of volunteering, while at the same time, sharing in their daughter or son’s Rundle experience.

What are your parent fundraising expectations?
Rundle College finances its programs with tuition, grant revenue and private donations. Rundle is fortunate to have many generous parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who support the needs of our school as our programs grow and improve. 

Your generosity will help create the educational experience you envision for your child. We encourage all our families to include Rundle College Society in their charitable giving portfolio and contribute at any level. We have many options to direct gifts to those programs that our donors are passionate about. 

Further information about contributing will be provided in the Parent handbook available to parents at the beginning of each school year.