Campus School Inquiries
If you are interested in inquiring about Kindergarten enrollment, please click on the Kindergarten Families tab for more information.
Thank you for your interest in Bearspaw Christian School!
Our mission is to partner with families to realize Christ-like character and academic excellence in each student. As a discipleship-based school, we are committed to serving Christian families who desire a biblically grounded, Christ-centered education alongside a strong academic program.
The application process at BCS is designed to help families learn more about our school while giving our team an opportunity to understand each student and family. We view this as a two-way discernment process: families are considering whether BCS is the right environment for their child, and our team is prayerfully and practically considering whether we can best support the student within our program.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Christian Faith
As a discipleship-based, Christian school, BCS requires at least one parent to be a Bible-believing Christian who can speak openly about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, their faith journey, and involvement in their church.
Enrollment Capacity
BCS operates at or near capacity in many grades. Because we operate on a continuous enrollment model, we do not know the exact number of spaces that will become available for Grades 1 – 12 until our current families indicate their enrollment plans by January 31.
We will have a clearer picture of available spaces beginning in February.
At this time, our Kindergarten through Grade 9 classes are at maximum capacity. Any spaces that become available for the 2027-2028 school year will depend on currently enrolled students and families who do not return to BCS.
BCS maintains grade level Wait Pools when the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of positions available in a grade. Placement in a Wait Pool does not guarantee that a position will become available or that an offer of enrollment will be made. Families are encouraged to maintain alternative plans while their child is in a BCS Wait Pool.
The Application Process
Submit an Inquiry
The Inquiry Form is the first step in the BCS application process.
Families provide information about their student, educational history, family, and faith background. This initial information helps our Admissions team understand your circumstances and determine appropriate next steps.
Because BCS receives a significant number of inquiries and operates with limited admissions capacity, submitting an inquiry does not guarantee an invitation to continue through the application process.
Complete the Application
Families who are invited to Step 2 will receive a unique link to complete the application.
The application provides a more comprehensive picture of the student and family and includes required supporting documentation. Depending on the student and circumstances, this may include:
- Academic records and report cards
- Birth and residency documentation
- Educator and character references
- Faith or pastoral references
- Learning assessments and supporting documentation
- IPPs or other educational plans, where applicable
- Additional information requested by BCS
A $150 non-refundable application fee is required for each student application.
An application is considered complete only when all required information, documentation, references, and the application fee have been received.
Application Review
Once an application is complete, the BCS Admissions team and appropriate school leaders review the information provided.
Our review considers the student’s academic foundation, learning needs, development, readiness, and potential for continued growth, along with the family’s alignment with the mission and community of BCS.
Where necessary, additional information or clarification may be requested before the application can proceed.
Following this review, some applications may not move forward to the next stage of the application process. Families who are invited to continue will be contacted directly with next step information.
Family Consultation
The next step in the application process is for at least one parent to participate in a Family Consultation with members of our Admissions team.
The Family Consultation allows us to learn more about your family, your hopes for your child’s education, and what you are seeking in a school community. As a discipleship-based Christian school, we will also take time to learn about your family’s faith and involvement in a local church or faith community.
This is also a chance for your family to experience BCS firsthand with a campus tour, ask questions, learn more about our academic and discipleship programs, and consider whether BCS is an environment in which your child can flourish.
We value this time of conversation and believe it is a two-way discernment process – giving both your family and BCS an opportunity to prayerfully consider whether we are the right community to partner together in your child’s education.
Student Assessment / Interview
Depending on the grade level, students at Step 5 are invited to participate in an assessment, academic evaluation, and/or student interview.
The purpose is not simply to measure what a student knows.
We want to meet your child, get to know them as an individual, understand their current academic foundation, and consider their readiness for and ability to thrive within the BCS program.
Assessment requirements and format vary by grade and educational history.
Admissions Decision
Following the completion of the above steps, each student application is reviewed by the appropriate BCS divisional team.
The final decision considers the overall picture of the student and family, including academic readiness, learning needs, faith alignment, available space, and the ability of BCS to support the student within our program.
Where enrollment cannot be offered because there are no available positions, an eligible student may be placed in the appropriate grade-level Wait Pool.
For more information about wait pools, please visit our Wait Pools page.
Enrollment
Families who receive an offer of enrollment, which typically occurs in early-mid spring, will receive instructions for completing the enrollment process.
Please note: Families will have 5 business days to complete the following enrollment requirements:
- A one-time $5,000 Capital Bond for new BCS families
- A void cheque or direct deposit form for pre-authorized tuition payments
- Signing and submission of the Financial Agreement
Offers of enrollment expire if these requirements are not completed within the 5-business-day timeframe. The student’s application will then return to the Wait Pool for future consideration should another position become available.
For further information about the Capital Bond, tuition, and fees, please visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Thank you for your interest in Kindergarten at Bearspaw Christian School!
Our mission is to partner with families to realize Christ-like character and personal academic excellence in each student. As a discipleship-based school, we are committed to serving Christian families who desire a biblically grounded, Christ-centered education alongside a strong academic program.
Kindergarten is an important entry point into the BCS community, and our application process is designed to help families learn more about our school while giving our team an opportunity to understand each child and family.
We view this as a two-way discernment process: families are considering whether BCS is the right environment for their child(ren), and our team is prayerfully and practically considering whether we can best support the student within our Kindergarten program and beyond.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
For the 2027–2028 school year, Kindergarten inquiries are open for children born between October 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022.
- A Note About Later Birthdays:
- Based on Alberta Education age-eligibility, children born within this range are eligible to begin Kindergarten in September 2027.
- However, families with children born between October 1 and December 31, 2022 are encouraged to prayerfully consider whether an additional year before Kindergarten may be beneficial for their child.
- Every child develops differently. During the application process, we consider each child’s academic foundation, developmental readiness, sustained attention, independence, and ability to participate successfully in the Kindergarten program.
- For some children with later birthdays, an additional year before Kindergarten may provide valuable time to develop confidence, maturity, independence, and readiness for the school environment.
- Our goal is not simply to determine whether a child is old enough to begin Kindergarten, but to consider what will position each child to flourish within BCS over the long term.
The Application Process
Submit an Inquiry
The Inquiry Form is the first step in the Kindergarten application process.
Families provide information about their child, family, educational experiences, family, and faith background. This initial information helps our Admissions team understand your circumstances and determine appropriate next steps.
Our initial focus will be on reviewing Kindergarten inquiries, as Kindergarten is the primary entry point to BCS and we anticipate filling up to 72 Kindergarten positions for the 2027–2028 school year.
Because BCS receives a significant number of inquiries and operates with limited admissions capacity, submitting an inquiry does not guarantee an invitation to continue through the application process.
Complete the Application
Families who are invited to Step 2 will receive a unique link to complete a Kindergarten application..
The application provides a more comprehensive picture of your child, and family, and includes required supporting documentation. Depending on the student and circumstances, this may include:
- Birth and residency documentation
- Educational or preschool information, where applicable
- Learning assessments or IPPs, where applicable
- Educator or other required references
- Additional documentation requested by BCS
A $150 non-refundable application fee is required for each student.
An application is considered complete only when all required information, documentation, references, and the application fee have been received.
Application Review
Once an application is complete, the BCS Admissions team and Elementary School leaders review the information provided.
Our review considers the child’s academic foundation, developmental readiness, learning needs, independence, and potential for continued growth, along with the family’s alignment with the mission and community of BCS.
Where necessary, additional information or clarification may be requested before the application can proceed.
Following this review, some applications may not move forward to the next stage of the application process. Families who are invited to continue will be contacted directly with next step information.
Family Consultation
The next step in the application process is for at least one parent to participate in a Family Consultation with members of our Admissions team.
The Family Consultation allows us to learn more about your family, your hopes for your child’s education, and what you are seeking in a school community. As a discipleship-based Christian school, we will also take time to learn about your family’s faith and involvement in a local church or faith community.
This is also a chance for your family to experience BCS firsthand with a campus tour, ask questions, learn more about our Kindergarten program, and consider whether BCS is an environment in which your child can flourish.
We value this time of conversation and believe it is a two-way discernment process — giving both your family and BCS an opportunity to prayerfully consider whether we are the right community to partner together in your child’s education.
Kindergarten Student Assessment
Children invited to continue through the application process will participate in a Kindergarten Student Assessment.
The assessment is designed to help our team understand each child’s current readiness and development. It is not intended to be something families prepare or study for.
As part of the application process, your child will be invited to participate in a group assessment set for January 6 – 8, 2027.
These assessments are designed to be friendly, play-based, and engaging, giving our educators a glimpse into your child’s developmental readiness for Kindergarten at BCS.
- When and where do assessments take place?
- Assessments will be held on-site at BCS during the school day. Assessment sessions will run between 90 to 120 minutes, with a small group of children participating together.
- What will my child be doing?
- Children will rotate through a variety of activity stations that help us observe different aspects of their development, including:
- Fine and gross motor skills (e.g., balancing, cutting, threading, coloring)
- Pencil and scissor grip
- Early literacy (e.g., identifying letters and sounds)
- Numeracy skills (e.g., recognizing numbers, basic counting)
- Shape and color recognition
- Following instructions and social interaction
- Children will rotate through a variety of activity stations that help us observe different aspects of their development, including:
- Is any preparation needed?
- No special preparation is required. These activities are developmentally appropriate and intended to reflect a typical Kindergarten day. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast and a bathroom break before beginning are the best preparation.
- Who conducts the assessment?
- Our experienced Kindergarten teachers and early childhood staff will lead and observe the assessment sessions.
- Do parents go along with the students?
- Parents will begin the assessment visit with their child in a brief “staging room” period, designed to help children settle in and become comfortable in the environment, before transitioning into the assessment setting. This staging time will last approximately 30 minutes. Following this transition period, students will participate in the assessment independently, without parents accompanying them into the assessment space.
Admissions Decision
Following the completion of the above steps, each Kindergarten applicant is prayerfully reviewed by the early education elementary team.
The final decision considers the overall picture of the child and family, including the assessment, academic, developmental, and social readiness, learning needs, family alignment, and the ability of BCS to support the child within our program.
Families will be contacted once a decision has been reached.
Enrollment
Families who receive an offer of Kindergarten enrollment, typically within 1 week following the Student Assessment, will receive instructions for completing the enrollment process.
Please note: Families will have 5 business days to complete the following enrollment requirements:
- A one-time $5,000 Capital Bond for new BCS families
- A void cheque or direct deposit form for pre-authorized tuition payments
- Signing and submission of the Financial Agreement
Offers of enrollment will expire if these requirements are not completed within the 5-business-day timeframe.
For further information about the Capital Bond, tuition, and fees, please visit our Tuition & Fees page.
As a current BCS family, we are grateful for your ongoing partnership in raising children who know, love, and follow Jesus.
While siblings of current students receive priority consideration, admission cannot be guaranteed. Some grades experience very little movement, and in certain cases the wait can extend over multiple years. The information below outlines how current families can apply for sibling enrollment and what to expect throughout the process.
Submit Intention to Apply
Beginning in September, current families may indicate their intention to apply for a sibling using the Current Families Adding a Sibling form. This link is provided in the BCS Connect Newsletter throughout September and October.
Submitting this form ensures you receive your personalized application link when the application window opens.
Complete the Application
In mid-November, families who indicated their intention to apply will receive a personalized application link by email.
To complete the application, please submit:
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$150 non-refundable application fee per child
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All required supporting documents, including vital statistic documents, report cards, reference forms, assessments, or IPPs (if applicable)
Applications are only considered complete once all required documents have been submitted.
Completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Team. Qualified students will be placed in the Wait Pool for the grade applied for.
About the Wait Pool
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BCS is currently at, or near to capacity in all grades. Spaces only become available when an enrolled student withdraws.
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Because BCS operates on a continuous enrollment model, current families notify us of any withdrawals by January 31 each year.
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From February through September, as openings arise, our team reviews the wait pool to determine the next steps for each applicant.
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Wait pool timelines vary widely. Some families may receive an offer quickly; others may experience a wait of multiple years.
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Siblings of current students receive priority consideration; however, priority does not guarantee acceptance.
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When a seat opens, the Admissions Team evaluates all wait pool applicants with respect to class balance, composition, and educational needs.
Student Assessment / Interview
Beginning in February, and only when a space becomes available:
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Elementary (K–Grade 4): Applicants will be invited for an in-person learning assessment.
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Middle School (Grades 5–8) and High School (Grades 9–12): Applicants will be interviewed by a member of our Education Team and may also participate in a learning assessment.
Please note that not all students in the wait pool will be invited for an assessment in a given year, as assessments are scheduled only when a classroom opening exists.
Admissions Decision
The Admissions Team will review the full application, including interviews and assessment results.
If accepted, your family will receive an Offer of Enrollment.
Enrollment Registration
To secure your child’s placement, within 5 business days of the Offer of Enrollment being sent out, you must:
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Submit all required registration and payment forms
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Complete and submit the Financial Agreement
If the Enrollment Part B Application is not completed within that time frame, the offer will be withdrawn and the student will return to the wait pool.
Re-enrollment for Existing Students
Bearspaw Christian School has implemented an automatic re-enrollment process for existing students.
Currently, enrolled students are our first priority as we fill positions for the following school year. BCS will automatically re-enroll all existing students for the upcoming school year on the last business day of January unless we receive a Not Returning / Withdrawal Form from you.
If you have children that will not be returning to BCS for the upcoming school year, you will need to complete a Not Returning / Withdrawal Form. If you have any questions about our admissions process, the Admissions Team can be reached at 403-295-2566 Ext. 5751 or [email protected].
A Note About the Admissions Journey
We recognize that choosing a school is a significant decision for a family. Our desire throughout the application process is to provide opportunities for honest information, prayerful consideration, and meaningful conversation.
We encourage families to ask questions, take time to learn about BCS, and prayerfully consider whether our community, academic program, and discipleship approach are aligned with what you are seeking for your child.
We are grateful for your interest in Bearspaw Christian School and for the opportunity to learn more about your family.
Reaching hearts. Teaching minds. Transforming our world.
Contact Campus Admissions
Admissions Coordinator
P. 403-295-2566
E. [email protected]