Expanding Horizons: Why Funding Rundle Academy’s Building Futures Campaign Has Never Been More Urgent
In Calgary, a quiet revolution in education has been unfolding for more than three decades. Tucked away behind the statistics and accolades lies a school that has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people—students who, before coming here, were defined not by their potential but by their struggles.
Rundle Academy is more than a school. It is a place of hope, belonging, and possibility for students diagnosed with learning disabilities. For families who have watched their children fall through the cracks of traditional education, it is often the last—and only—lifeline.
One student described the contrast vividly: “In my previous school, I felt tortured entering the doors. All the teachers didn’t really understand how I learned, and neither did I. I thought that school was horrible for everyone, not just me. One day I went to a psychologist who specializes in kids who have learning differences and I found a school that accommodated those needs. That school was Rundle Academy. Coming here, I felt like my teachers actually cared, and I started loving school for the first time. Now I can confidently say that I’m the best version of myself.”
Stories like Cohen’s are not rare. In fact, they are heartbreakingly common. Approximately 10% of Canadians live with a diagnosed learning disability—that’s nearly 4 million people—yet resources and tailored education options remain limited.
Since opening its doors to 17 pioneering students in 1998, Rundle Academy has grown into one of Calgary’s most respected programs, serving 280 students in grades 4 to 12. With 99% of graduates earning their Alberta High School Diploma—far exceeding the provincial average of 85%—and 99% accepted into leading universities and colleges, Rundle Academy has set a new standard for what is possible when young people receive the right support.
But even as Rundle Academy celebrates these remarkable achievements, the school faces a challenge that can no longer be ignored: Demand has outstripped capacity. Each year, more than 100 families submit applications, hoping their child will be among the 45 accepted. Every spring, phone calls must be made to parents desperate for help, telling them there is simply no room.
This is the human cost of a shortage of specialized spaces. For every student who gains access to Rundle Academy’s transformative learning environment, more are left waiting—struggling in classrooms that are not designed for their needs, where they are misunderstood, overlooked, or made to feel incapable.
That is why the Building Futures campaign is so urgent.
Rundle Academy’s leadership has a clear, compelling vision: expand the campus to almost double student enrollment over the next five years. Phase 1 of this campus transformation includes a purpose-built education wing with 34 classrooms, breakout rooms, outdoor learning areas, and individual work pods designed specifically to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities.
This is not merely about adding space. Every design choice has been made with intention. As Assistant Principal Kellie Adams puts it: “This new building is going to give a tremendous boost in terms of agency and self-worth to our students. Every piece of the design has so much intentionality. Students of all learning profiles will be seen and see their worth within this new space.”
By fall 2030, this expansion will allow Rundle Academy to welcome an additional 175 students—a monumental increase that will reshape the educational landscape for countless Calgary families.
Already, momentum is building. Of the $12 million needed to complete Phase 1, close to $9 million has been raised. But with construction timelines approaching and growing urgency among waitlisted families, 2025 and 2026 years are critical. This is a pivotal moment: We are asking Calgary community to support the construction of this new campus to provide much needed space for those who need access to this life changing education.
Why does this matter? Because the consequences of not acting are profound. Students with learning disabilities who lack appropriate support face far higher risks of anxiety, depression, and dropping out of school. Many internalize a sense of failure that follows them into adulthood, affecting their careers, relationships, and overall well-being.
The opposite is also true: when students are placed in environments that recognize and celebrate their differences, they thrive. They develop confidence. They learn to advocate for themselves. They discover strengths that can flourish far beyond the classroom walls.
The success of Rundle Academy alumni is proof of this power. Whether pursuing post-secondary education, entrepreneurship, or community leadership, these graduates carry forward the lessons of resilience and self-belief that only a supportive, specialized environment can instill.
Yet it is not enough to celebrate past victories. The need has never been greater—and the time to act is now.
Contributions to the Rundle Academy Building Futures campaign are not just investments in bricks and mortar—they are investments in human potential. They are statements that no child should be denied the chance to succeed because a seat wasn’t available.
Every dollar raised will bring Rundle Academy closer to realizing its vision of an expanded, inclusive campus where more students can discover that they, too, are capable of excellence. For families who have long felt like no one understands their child, this expansion is a promise: you are not alone, and your child deserves to learn and thrive in a place designed for them.
In the coming year, the Rundle Academy community is rallying to complete this ambitious project with a grand opening of our phase 1 construction in September 2026. With support from Calgary Foundation donors, businesses, and advocates who share the belief that all students deserve a chance to reach their full potential, the Academy can open its doors to hundreds more children who are waiting—often anxiously—for the opportunity to belong.
We invite everyone—Calgary residents, business leaders, and community partners—to be part of this once-in-a-generation investment in the future. The need is urgent, the plan is clear, and the impact will be lasting.
To learn more about the Building Futures campaign or to contribute, please visit rundlebuildingfutures.ca. Together, we can ensure that no child is left behind simply because there wasn’t enough room.
Help us build a place where every learner is seen, supported, and empowered to become the best version of themselves. The time to act is now.