Captivate
WELCOME TO OUR 2024–2025 CAPTIVATE IMPACT REPORT
As President & CEO, I have the privilege of seeing Calgary Academy’s plans move from an initial idea to reality each year—whether it’s the opening of our Southwest Addition, our annual Dig Pink volleyball tournament, or our second Career Day for Senior School students. Thinking about this past school year, I’m excited to see what the future of our school holds.
We have accomplished a lot together this year, and I am proud of our staff and student efforts. Our International Travel Studies club celebrated 20 years of sustainable tourism and altruism, our Senior School basketball teams won championship banners, and the Class of 2025, with over 100 graduates, joined our growing alumni community—just some of Calgary Academy’s many achievements.
From September to May, students, staff, parents, and Board members met several times to collaborate on our Strategic Plan, which set the stage for our organization’s next four years. From whole-school consultations to lunchtime meetings with students, these conversations have been deeply engaging and show our community’s care for Calgary Academy.
Shortly, we’ll start implementing our 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, Excellence by Design, refining and building upon our school’s strong foundation. We will be focussing on student growth, staff excellence, instructional excellence, and operational excellence. We are driving toward excellence across all facets of our organization, building on our advancement focus, and maintaining focus on long-term sustainability and viability.
As we head towards 2026, we’ll continue providing our students with the best education possible.
With gratitude, Dr. Greg Bass
President & CEO
A STRATEGIC PLANNING YEAR
This school year was full of discussion as Calgary Academy held a strategic planning consultation from September to May. Over 330 students, staff, parents, and Board members participated in the consultation, the largest consultation completed by the school to date.
The school planned for its future through internal reviews, student feedback, focus groups, and five community planning days, helping plot a course for CA’s future in the next five years.
Campus Master Plan Approved! Strat Plan Engagement Number
79 Staff Participated in Focus Groups
5 Community Planning Days
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL STUDIES VISITS BRAZIL
Calgary Academy’s International Travel Studies (ITS) club journeyed to Brazil for the first time in its 20-year history. This year’s trips showcased the value of ITS—stepping out of one’s comfort zone to enjoy new experiences.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION SHINES
CA’s outdoor education program had another successful year. The program takes students on day and overnight trips that test the skills they learn in class.
Following Leave No Trace principles, these experiences help students appreciate nature and inspire new passions.
CASSC BRINGS STUDENTS TO THE SLOPES
The Calgary Academy Ski and Snowboard Club (CASSC) brings Grades 5–12 students out for unforgettable experiences each year.
Students develop their skills with help from participating staff to become lifelong advocates for the sport while learning the ins and outs of safety on the mountain.
ALUMNI COFFEE CART
For several years, Calgary Academy’s Philanthropy team has surprised the graduating class with free coffees to welcome them to the alumni community.
The tradition continued this year, giving Grade 12s a chance to relax with a beverage and learn more about the school’s alumni programming.
CAREER DAY RETURNS
Calgary Academy held its second annual Career Day, inviting 30 speakers to the school to share their experiences with Senior School students.
With eight alumni speakers across different industries, learners got a glimpse of what their futures can hold with help from the CA community.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
SUNDUS MIRZA
Sundus Mirza (‘20), an aspiring doctor completing her studies in Tbilisi, Georgia, was the second presenter in this year’s Alumni Speaker Series.
She shared her story of moving abroad, navigating cultural differences and a language barrier while studying to become a doctor, and still finding time for her creative pursuits as an artist.
BRADEN HALEY
Calgary Academy’s Alumni Speaker Series continued this year, where notable alumni return to the school to discuss their career paths with Senior School students.
CA’s first speaker this year was Braden Haley (’13), who discussed his entrepreneurial career, starting multiple businesses.
BRETT MCDERMOTT AND ANDREW ROWE
CA promotes and supports alumni businesses as much as possible. Brett McDermott and Andrew Rowe are part of a growing group of hospitality businesses, including Our Daily Brett Market & Café and Salon Fine Catering.
The CA community sampled some of their catering offerings at its first-ever Annual Appeal Donor Celebration in April.
BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN AT CALGARY ACADEMY—THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY’S GENEROSITY!
CA set lofty fundraising goals this year, and we are pleased to announce that we not only met them but surpassed them! Thanks to this year’s generous donors, learning truly reached new heights!
To support teaching, we can invest in MindPrint. This research-based cognitive assessment provides lasting insight into a student’s learning strengths and needs to support their learning. We can now open CA’s doors to more families through bursary donations. We purchased a new sound system and mics for our Black Box Theatre, PASCO science equipment for our Junior and Senior schools, a convection oven for our Castle Café and foods program, tools for the Construction Lab, and more.
Philanthropic support isn’t just appreciated—it’s transformative. The CA community helped create more engaging, hands-on learning experiences across the school, and our students (and teachers) are thrilled.
Gifts from parents, grandparents, staff, alumni, friends, and local businesses directly impact the lives of our students, helping to create opportunities, spark curiosity, and build the foundation for bright futures. We are truly grateful for your commitment to the Calgary Academy and for helping us nurture the leaders, thinkers, and changemakers of tomorrow.
Together with our donors and partners, the Philanthropy team is excited to build on this year’s momentum. Next year holds even more promise for our students and the community we serve.
Building a culture of philanthropy is a journey. Thank you for walking alongside us.
With heartfelt thanks,
Your Philanthropy team
Debra, Shauna, and Jen
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. DONATIONS DOUBLED.
This year, the Annual Appeal began with a bang! CA parents Alison Pidskalny and Douglas Robertson came forward as the 2024–2025 Campaign Co-Chairs, bringing a challenge to CA families and staff. All donations, regardless of size, were matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000, doubling the contributions of many early donors. This generous giving continued for the remainder of the school year.
2024–2025 ANNUAL APPEAL
EVERY FAMILY. EVERY YEAR. EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS.
Calgary Academy’s 2024–2025 Annual Appeal was a resounding success, surpassing its $100,000 goal. All gifts—no matter the size—have an immediate impact. They fuel innovation in the classroom, enhance extracurricular opportunities, and ensure every CA student has the tools they need to thrive.
Every family is asked to contribute whatever they can, and with help from the Pidskalny/Robertson family challenge gift, the Annual Appeal team, and many generous new and returning donors, the campaign was a resounding success!
When the community comes together to give annually, Calgary Academy strengthens its future, showing everyone’s shared commitment to educational excellence.
BRIGHT FUTURES COMMITTEE —OUR ANNUAL APPEAL TEAM
Building a strong culture of philanthropy is the best way to make a difference in the lives of Calgary Academy students. The Annual Appeal provides a unique opportunity for parents, grandparents, alumni, staff, businesses and CA friends to come together as a community in a transformative way.
This year featured the school’s first-ever Annual Appeal team of dedicated parents and staff who wanted to make this the best fundraising campaign yet—and they made it happen! Our dynamic group included Gabriel Hagg, Jackie Richards-Pace, Shauna Denney, Alison Pidskalny (Co-Chair), Jenny Williams, Amanda Lovig-Hagg, Debra Klippenstein, Douglas Robertson (Co-Chair), Matt Williams, and Kailey Beddoe.
It’s inspiring to see what a community can accomplish. Thank you to the campaign co-chairs, volunteer team, and 195 donors who made this year the school’s best fundraising year yet!
If you are interested in being part of the 2025–2026 annual fundraising efforts, please reach out to CA’s Philanthropy team.
Total Annual Giving: $479,419.28
New Donors: 115
Staff Giving: 29 Staff Donors
Total Bursaries Provided: $401,425
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
Calgary Academy would not be what it is without the help of its generous donors.
Thank you to all who participated in this year’s philanthropic efforts!
Calgary Academy Society is a registered charity #10683 1209 RR0001
