HIGH SCHOOL

By God’s grace and for His glory we desire each student to be prepared for a life of learning and service in God's world. Our goal is for students to be shaped by the message of the gospel, grounded in Biblical truth, and to understand their identity in Christ.

In line with the missions of both Trinity Christian School (TCS) and Glenmore Christian Academy (GCA), the establishment of a christian high school embodies this unwavering commitment: to cultivate within students a biblical worldview that guides their decisions and behaviours in accordance with the truth of God's Word.

The absence of a christian high school in south Calgary, coupled with overcrowded public and Catholic institutions, underscores a pressing need. The prevailing ideological landscape within public education, often influenced by political agendas, starkly contrasts with the foundational principles of faith-based education. Our community's readiness for a christian high school is formidable.

Additionally, we recognize the role of parents as the primary caregivers and educators of our students. TCS and GCA are committed to fostering partnership with parents and our local churches to lead our students to glorify God. Upholding a high standard of care and fostering a nurturing community for students and staff, TCS and GCA stand firmly grounded on the unshakeable foundation of God's Word. Through the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we acknowledge our identity as beloved children of God, entrusted with the sacred responsibility of shaping the hearts and minds of future generations.

CORE VALUES

BIBLICAL TRUTH: Foster and instill a hunger for God’s infallible Word.

AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY: Where each student feels known and cared for as they learn more about God’s world and their place in it.

GROWTH: Instill and foster discernment, strong work ethic and nurture the unique God given gifts of each student.

SERVE: Instill a passion to love your neighbour and serve the Lord by providing local and global opportunities.

GRADUATE PROFILE

At the south Calgary christian high school we pray and work towards seeing our graduates becoming...

AUTHENTIC DISCIPLES

Genuine followers of Jesus Christ by His grace, humbly and faithfully living according to the Word of God, and walking uprightly in all honesty and integrity;

GODLY STEWARDS

Conscientious and responsible, prudently using the gifts and talents given to them in a way that brings glory to God and benefits others;

ENGAGED LEARNERS

Diligent and respectful, displaying a spirit that is teachable, patient, curious, and self-disciplined, with the aspiration to always be learning;

COURAGEOUS CITIZENS

Bold and passionate, positively contributing in our communities, speaking the truth in love, and praying for those in authority.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

These are two separate stories with very similar pathways:

Trinity Christian School History

In 1993 a group of Christian families acted on their vision for a new christian school in south Calgary. Trinity Christian School began with 30 students in 1993 and our first home was Braeside Community Hall.

The response to Trinity Christian School was so positive that, in 1996, the school purchased its current facility in Midnapore. More than 40 different churches are now represented by our school families. In the 2023-24 school year we celebrated our 30th year with an enrollment of over 460 students from Kindergarten to Grade 9. We thank the Lord for the journey that has shaped TCS and we are blessed knowing we will continue to partner with so many faithful families in the future.

Glenmore Christian Academy History

In 1980, parents from First Alliance Church, inspired by Pastor Wendell Grout's vision, dedicated their children, resources, and faith to establish a new school. Glenmore Christian Academy was born, initially welcoming 60 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 in its first year. The school's name reflected its affiliation with First Alliance Church, located on Glenmore Trail. Within a year, enrollment surged to 240 students, prompting the addition of a junior high program.

Despite economic challenges during Calgary's recession, GCA experienced remarkable growth. In 1984, a high school program was initiated but later streamlined due to resource constraints. By 1989, the school faced eviction when the Calgary Board of Education issued notice to vacate the building by the end of June. A frantic search for new premises ensued, leading to the purchase of 18 acres in the southwest. The construction of the new school, our current location, was completed in just 7 months, a testament to God's providential hand over the project.

Today, with a student body exceeding 1000 from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 9, GCA's commitment to Christian education remains unwavering. A recent survey conducted in 2022 indicates a growing desire within the community for the establishment of a christian high school, further affirming the enduring legacy and impact of GCA's journey.

WHAT ARE WE WORKING TOWARD?

Trinity Christian School and Glenmore Christian Academy serve over 950 families representing over 50 nationalities and our families represent over 50 different churches.

For many years it has been said that our schools are not complete without a high school.

The type of education that TCS and GCA provides sets up the framework to help children discover and understand the truth about the world around them, themselves and how they fit into God’s story.

For 10 years, we live out our mission with our community and then we hand them over to a public school that has a mission that is not Christ centred. Most students are not prepared to withstand the zeitgeist (the ideas and spirit of the time) and may become conformed to the patterns of the world.

Christian education encompasses more than simply the study of the Bible or religion. Since all truth is God’s truth, a genuine christian education involves the integration of God’s word into every area of study and in all activities.

We believe that a high school provides the best opportunities for our students to be firmly planted with one foot in God’s Word and one foot in God’s world.

We believe that our students will develop a solid foundation that will help them thrive in whatever God has prepared for them.

We believe that in our christian high school our students will become clear thinkers, great debaters and confident in their identity in God and in that way transform our society.

TO FULFILL THE MISSION & VISION OF TCS and GCA 

High school has been part of the vision since the inception of TCS and GCA. There have been a number of “false starts” to begin a christian high school. The partnership with TCS and GCA is a solid one and momentum is building.

In our covenantal response and in obedience to God we want to continue to press into our mission in how we educate students from K-12 and not stop at grade 9. Our schools are not complete without a high school and we are doing our students a disservice by not offering to continue to teach them with a biblical worldview.

RESPOND TO GROWING DEMAND

The demand for an independent christian high school in south Calgary has never been stronger. TCS and GCA are at the peak of their enrollment. TCS has over 450 students and GCA has over 1000.

A high school survey received an overwhelming positive response in both TCS and GCA communities.

Students (who now often make the decision where they want to go to high school) desire, for the most part, a separate high school campus. They have been at their current campus for 10 years and aspire to meet new students, make new friends and be part of a new location.

This would be the only stand-alone (meaning a different location from the current jr. high and elementary school) independent christian high school campus in Calgary.

BETTER TOGETHER

Trinity Christian School and Glenmore Christian Academy have come together to establish an independent christian high school, founded on the strong relationships between the two schools and a shared vision to equip each student to live for God’s glory. This partnership embodies the unity and strength that come from combining our efforts, with the hope that this God-sized opportunity will leave a lasting impact on His Kingdom for generations to come.

As we embark on this exciting new journey, students will benefit from countless opportunities to grow both their faith and knowledge, guided by a Christ-centred curriculum. They will forge lasting friendships beyond the classroom through vibrant extracurriculars, spirited sports teams, and engaging clubs. Parents will be vital partners in this endeavor, fostering a Christian community that nurtures and supports every student.

This high school is an extension of both of our schools but in a new, dedicated high school campus. This unique environment allows for some familiar faces along with the opportunity to meet new friends and staff. Notably, this will be the only christian high school in Calgary with its own separate campus. We feel that this separate campus is key to the success of a christian high school and is something that students and families have expressed a strong desire for.

Beyond academics, sports teams from both schools will unite to compete with others, and similar collaborations will enrich band programs, extra curricular opportunities, and a range of other activities. By combining our resources for administration, facility management, and fundraising, we are building a bright, unified future for our students.

As we look ahead, we are confident that this partnership will shape hearts and minds, leaving a lasting legacy for God’s Kingdom.

Step 1 (positioned schools well for future)

Both TCS and GCA have stewarded our finances well over the past 3-10
years. Both schools are currently debt free with some savings on hand.

TCS: In the past 5 years TCS has raised over $400,000 from a
combination of individual donations and group fundraising for
walk-a-thon and grade 9 experience week (Salts & Green Bay Bible
Camp).

Year to year, depending on extra expenses or revenue, TCS has surplus
funds from program fee payments (tuition). These surpluses have been
utilized to pay off our previous mortgage of $2.5 million within a 6 year
period (2015 - 2021). We have also completed a $350,000 renovation to
our gymnasium locker rooms (2018), along with numerous capital
expenditures for improvements and repairs throughout our facility. TCS
is currently in the midst of a $3.5 million expansion and renovation
project to accommodate growth in enrollment.

GCA: In the last 5 years GCA has raised over $130,000 from a number
of individuals donating mostly to funds for the grade 9 mission trip.
Most of our funds have come from stewarding the tuition and
government funds in excess of around 1 million a year. 

Step 2 - Establish a Firm Foundation

TCS and GCA are at the peak of their enrollment. There is no christian high school in
the far south of Calgary and this area continues to grow. Trinity Christian School and Glenmore Christian Academy are partnering to build an independent christian high school with an estimated cost of$ 25-30M and a giving target of $12M.

• Explore and identify the right property/location for the high
  school
  - Option 1: Mahogany land partnering with a Calgary church
  - Option 2: Purchase land in the Foothills Municipality
•  Purchase property
  - Work toward approved zoning, permits and services to accommodate a high school
  - Architectural design for the high school building

Step 3 - Build the High School

• Construction
• Hire a leader (Head of School/Principal)

Step 4 - Launch the High School (Other building construction?)

• Admin Staff
• Teaching staff
• Specialized Curriculum