Calgary Quest Children's Society

Calgary Quest Children's Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to providing specialized education and support for children, teens, and young adults with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Established in 1980 by a group of parents advocating for better educational opportunities for their children with challenges, the society operates the Calgary Quest School and other community programs aimed at fostering independence, life skills, and social integration.

History and Mission

Founded in 1980 by caring parents, Calgary Quest Children's Society was created to offer a philosophy of education that respects the dignity and ability of students with developmental disabilities. In 1995, the society achieved designation as a Designated Special Education Private School (DSEPS) by Alberta Education, establishing its school as a fully sanctioned institution dedicated to serving students with significant challenges.

The organization's mission centers on creating a committed multidisciplinary community to provide a supportive learning environment for cross-disability students and their families, aiming to deliver optimal social, emotional, and educational outcomes.

Educational Programs

Calgary Quest School offers a range of specialized programs tailored to the needs of students from kindergarten through young adulthood. The curriculum combines functional academics with life skills education, including practical activities such as cooking, social skills development, volunteering, and employment readiness.

Programs emphasize ability within disability, fostering a caring and safe environment where students can reach their potential. The school operates multiple campuses, including:

• Spruce Cliff Campus: Serving kindergarten to Grade 8 students.
• Sunalta Campus: Opened in March 2024, this innovative hub supports high school students and young adults with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. The Sunalta campus focuses on fostering independence through real-life community experiences and skills development.

Community Integration and Extended Services

Beyond traditional schooling, Calgary Quest Children's Society has expanded its services to include the Calgary Quest Resources Centre for Opportunity. This community access program targets participants aged 18 to 25, offering a holistic approach to developing life skills, self-reliance, and long-term community integration.

The program supports transitions from high school by providing opportunities for volunteering, learning public transit, grocery shopping, and preparing for employment. Partnerships with local organizations, such as the Calgary Co-op and the Calgary Food Bank, enable students to engage in real-world experiences like packing groceries and customer interaction.

Vision and Future Directions

Calgary Quest is committed to evolving toward a community-based model of service delivery, with the Sunalta campus marking a significant step in this vision. The society aims to integrate students and participants into neighborhoods where education and services extend beyond the classroom into everyday community life, promoting inclusion and mutual benefit.

Summary

Calgary Quest Children's Society stands as a dedicated advocate and service provider for children and young adults with developmental disabilities in Calgary, Alberta. Through its schools and community programs, the society fosters educational achievement, life skills mastery, social inclusion, and independence, supporting a diverse population with moderate to severe challenges.

This article is based on public information from Calgary Quest Children's Society sources and local news coverage.

[1] https://www.calgaryquestschool.com/about [2] https://www.calgaryquestschool.com [3] https://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/parker-calgary-quest-school-opens-own-building-sunalta [4] https://dory-pumpkin-xhy3.squarespace.com/s/AERR-Report-2021-2022-signed-and-date-fixed.pdf [5] https://ckc.calgaryfoundation.org/profile/calgary-quest-childrens-society/