What is Caraway?

Caraway began as a grassroots, charter private school in 1973. In 1975, a non-profit parent group submitted a proposal to EPSB in the hopes of becoming an Alternative Education program under the umbrella of the public system. With 25 children enrolled at the time, Caraway has substantially grown since then and has proven to be a successful school. 

Caraway operates as a K-9 alternative learning environment that is committed to being an open and honest community that supports the education of our children by actively connecting family, school and society. Thro ugh willing participation in the community, we create and nurture an environment that gives students the opportunity to take risks, be responsible, and develop meaningful relationships.

The Caraway program offers project-based, child-centred learning and helps all students make meaningful connections while providing opportunities for rich conceptual development.

Caraway takes advantage of the many researched benefits of mixed-age groupings across grade levels. Older students are encouraged to be leaders and help in the learning process for younger students, who in turn thrive on their attention. Students may also benefit from having the same teacher for two or three years in a row.

In addition to teaching academic skills, the intent of the the program is to help the students develop both emotionally and socially. Nurturing the children to become Emotionally Intelligent enables them to become more responsible for their individual behaviour and the ability to develop empathic feelings for others and their problems and to be able to risk caring for others.

Our students and staff work collaboratively and democratically while each individual is considered and respected. Making decisions becomes a group process and the students and teachers are responsible for solving problems together as they arise. Group problem solving techniques relating to the classroom order and management are more likely to result in students feeling personally responsible and committed to maintaining that order.  
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Is Caraway a Fit For Your Family?

Risk Taking

Risk-taking in education builds a base for self-reliance and perseverance. Learning, grit & innovation happen through overcoming failure and taking chances.

Lifelong learning

Wonder, agency, and curiosity are the keys to lifelong learning. At any age when you're curious you ask questions and search for your own answers.

Leadership

Multi-age classrooms encourage students to act as leaders and mentors while minimizing competition and focusing on children as individuals with unique gifts and challenges.

Classroom Diversity

The climate of Caraway is one of warmth, friendliness, informality, and respect for each individuals needs, ideas and differences. 

 LIFE LONG LEARNING 

Wonder and agency are the keys to lifelong learning; at every age learners ask questions and search for their own answers. Caraway helps to develop and expose children’s individual potential and creativity. When our students learn how to learn by using their own curiosity and initiative, they develop an inquiring attitude to all aspects of life, not just the learning done in school. 

FAQ’S

Have a question? We want to help!

  • What is Progressive Education?

    In public education, there are many alternative programs. However, most are essentially the same shirt in different colours: the same cut with slightly shorter sleeves or an extra pocket. You can have curriculum delivered in one of a half dozen languages or with half a day of sports, or extra art or religion. Very few programs differ on the basis of pedagogy, the philosophy of curriculum delivery.


    Progressive education is a philosophy of education that emphasizes the individual needs and abilities of each student. It is based on the idea that students should be actively involved in their own learning, rather than passively receiving information from a teacher. Progressive educators believe that education should be relevant and meaningful to students' lives and should focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In a progressive education setting, students are often given the opportunity to work on real-world projects and to collaborate with their peers. Teachers act as facilitators, helping students to explore and discover knowledge on their own. Progressive education is founded on the belief that all students have the potential to learn and grow and that education should be personalized to meet the unique needs of each student.

  • Are siblings welcome while I facilitate?

    Yes, siblings are welcome in our Caraway classrooms. That being said, it is important that the sibling is not disturbing others learning or destroying classroom property or students project work. Toddlers, for example, are such active little people and cannot respect the space by themselves,  so you must ensure that the sibling is well monitored in the classroom and that you are cleaning up after them. 

  • What does "Risk Taking" in education look like?

    Risk-taking in education builds a base for self-reliance and perseverance. Learning, grit & innovation happens through overcoming failure and taking chances

  • Is there a tuition fee for attending Caraway?

    Yes, we do have a tuition fee to attend Caraway and for field trips/supplies. All cost options can be split over the 10 month school year or paid in a lump sum. 


    Lump Sum Example: 

    One Child: $1000.00

    Two Children: $1500.00

    Three Children: $1900.00

    Four+ Children: $2250.00


    *All supplies and field trip fees are included in the amounts above. 

    Community Of Caraway Parents Society fee - $10/year


    *We do offer subsidies for families that apply and meet the requirements.



  • What does the parent/caregiver involvement look like at Caraway?

    Parents involved at Caraway School are strongly committed and are involved in the school community. They serve on parent committees and our parent board. They help with the purchasing of materials, support teachers with the physical classroom environment, attend community meetings  and actively faciliate in the classroom and on field trips. Families are entering into a cooperative agreement to volunteer 2.5 hours per week, per child, up to a maximum of five hours. This type of real parent involvement is fundamental to our philosophy when considering children.  Involvement increases the understanding and goals of the program and there are many positive results to having parents and caregivers be part of the school environment. 

  • Is there more opportunity to be outdoors other than recess?

    Yes! Nature Day programming is vital to the goals of our program as they are one of the most fertile grounds for gaining personal resilience, problem solving, collaboration and risk taking. Being in nature also helps our students retain better mental health, autonomy and stewardship over our earth. 

  • Is busing available to/from Caraway?

    Other than public transport, there is no Yellow Bus Service to or from Caraway. 

  • Is there a lunch program?

    No, we do not offer a lunch program. Families are required to pack their own lunches. 

  • We live outside of the catchment area, is that a problem?

    Not at all! If you are willing to transport your children to and from school, there are no boundries. The only time this may impact enrolment is when it could enter into a random selection process.

Address: 6859 – 100 Ave. NW, Edmonton, Ab, T6A 0G3