What defines an STS Education?
For 50+ years, the questions have changed. How do we prepare students for a global economy? What does literacy mean in a digital age? How do we balance structure with exploration? Every question has led back to one core belief: students flourish when they feel known and when they’re connected to something larger than themselves.
STS is Southern Alberta’s first full K-12 IB World School. Our Flourish 2031 strategic plan keeps us focused on academic excellence, student agency, and preparing students for what comes next.
The 200-acre campus in the Foothills has evolved considerably since 1971, with new buildings, expanded programs, and enhanced facilities. But the foundation hasn’t shifted. Explore the sections below to see what makes STS distinct.
Deep Learning
Learning at STS goes beyond memorizing facts. Students engage with curiosity through experiential, real-world opportunities that build character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. The IB framework shapes how teachers approach curriculum, helping students develop comfort with ambiguity, learn from failure, and grow their entrepreneurial spirit. This is a living curriculum where students realize their potential beyond the walls of the classroom.
Community & Belonging
Relationships form naturally here. From Pre-K students waving in the hallways to Grade 12 mentors who remember names, STS is built on connections that last. This is a thriving, joyful, inclusive community where meaningful relationships are integral to authentic learning. Students find genuine belonging through clubs, sports, service projects, and the extended STS family of faculty, staff, alumni, and parents.
Community & Belonging
Relationships form naturally here. From Pre-K students waving in the hallways to Grade 12 mentors who remember names, STS is built on connections that last. This is a thriving, joyful, inclusive community where meaningful relationships are integral to authentic learning. Students find genuine belonging through clubs, sports, service projects, and the extended STS family of faculty, staff, alumni, and parents.
200-Acre Campus
Our campus is a core part of the STS experience. Forest trails, wetlands, outdoor classrooms, and open fields are where learning happens. Students might study ecosystems by the pond, run cross-country through the woods, or sketch in the outdoor classroom spaces. Inside, spaces are designed for collaboration, creativity, and focus.
Our Four Houses
Buchan. Burns. Dover. Howard. Every student, employee, and alumni belongs to one of four Houses from the first day at STS, building connections across grades through events, competitions, and community service. Older students mentor younger ones. Friendships form across age groups. Each House is named for figures connected to the school’s history.
Say Yes Videos
These videos explore different aspects of school life through conversations with parents and students. Each focuses on a theme: trying new things, finding community, preparing for the future, academic discovery, and outdoor adventure. Families share why they chose STS and what shapes their experience here.
Publications
Our primary publication, Optimum magazine, captures each year at STS through editorial case studies of student life across all divisions. Published annually, it features alumni profiles, faculty accomplishments, and in-depth looks at programs, events, and moments that defined the school year.
Your Open Invitation
It Starts Here
Your child’s education starts here – and we’re excited to share the learning journey with you. Explore our latest news and updates in our STS newsletter.
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