est. 1971
SCHOOL PROFILE | 2026-2027 Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) is a selective, co-educational independent day school serving approximately 850 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Located on a 200-acre campus in the Rocky Mountain Foothills, 15 kilometres south of Calgary, STS is one of the few schools in Southern Alberta authorized to offer the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum. The school integrates the Alberta curriculum and IB framework to provide a coherent K-12 program of academic challenge, inquiry, and international-mindedness. The values-driven STS community fosters excellence, purpose, and a strong sense of belonging. Reflecting Calgary's position as Canada's third-largest city and a globally connected centre of business, innovation, and research, STS attracts students and families from diverse cultural and international backgrounds. Families share a commitment to educational excellence and to the co-curricular and experiential opportunities that broaden students’ perspectives and enrich their learning. All graduates earn the Alberta High School Diploma. Students who elect to pursue the IB Diploma Programme complete the requirements of both the Alberta and IB programs concurrently, thereby undertaking STS's most academically demanding course of study. Academic learning is complemented by a rich co-curricular and experiential program encompassing athletics, the arts, leadership, service, outdoor education, and global engagement. STS graduates pursue studies at leading universities and colleges across Canada and around the world.
POST-SECONDARY OFFERS & AREAS OF STUDY The Class of 2026 received 371 offers from 81 post-secondary institutions in the following regions:
86%
CANADA
8%
USA
4%
UK
1%
IRELAND
0.5%
EUROPE
0.5%
AUSTRALIA
ARTS & COMMUNICATION | Philosophy, performing arts, design, fine arts BUSINESS & ECONOMICS | Business, economics, finance & accounting, agribusiness ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY | Engineering, biomedical & electrical, mechanical & materials, aerospace, computing & AI HEALTH & MEDICINE | Medicine/pre-med, kinesiology, nursing, neuroscience & medical sciences SOCIAL SCIENCES & LAW | Psychology, politics & policy, law, education NATURAL SCIENCES | Biological & life sciences, environmental science, general sciences
VISION STS inspires compassionate, curious, and creative global citizens who lead with courage. MISSION A diverse community where students pursue lives of purpose, flourishing emotionally, physically, and intellectually. MOTTO Nil nisi optimum. Nothing but our best. THE CLASS OF 2026
ALBERTA PROGRAMS OF STUDY STS operates within Alberta's provincially regulated education system, one of Canada's most academically rigorous jurisdictions. Alberta students perform strongly on international assessments such as the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), contributing to Canada’s standing among the world’s leading education systems. Students enrolled in Grade 12 diploma courses in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics write provincially administered exams worth 30% of their final course grade; the remaining 70% is based on coursework assessed by STS teachers. To graduate, students must meet Alberta High School Diploma requirements, including a minimum of 100 credits. ALBERTA GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Subject
Credits
Course Name
English
15
ELA 10-1 (5) ELA 20-1 (5) ELA 30-1 (5)
10
Math 10C (5) Math 10C+ (5) Math 20-1 (5) or Math 20-2 (5)
Sciences
10
Science 10 (5) Biology 20 (5) or Chemistry 20 (5) or Physics 20 (5)
Social Studies
15
Social 10-1 (5) Social 20-1 (5) Social 30-1 (5)
Physical Education
3
PHE 10 (3)
Career & Life Management
Mathematics
GRADE 12 ALBERTA EDUCATION COURSES OFFERED AT STS Art 30 Biology 30 Biology 35 Chemistry 30 Chemistry 35 Choral Music 30 Computing Science 30 Design & Innovation Studies 35 Design Technology 30
Drama 30 English 30-1 French 30 French 31A French 31B General Music 30 Global Economics 35 Instrumental Music 30 International Politics 30
ALBERTA EDUCATION GRADING SCALE
CLASS OF 2026 GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Legal Studies 30 Literature & Composition 35 Mathematics 30-1 Mathematics 30-2 Mathematics 31 Mathematics 35 Macroeconomics 30 Microeconomics 30 Musical Theatre 35
%
Letter Grade
%
# of Students
80 - 100%
A
> 95%
7
65 - 79%
B
90 - 94.9%
25
50 - 64%
C
85 - 89.9%
24
3
40 - 49%
D
80 - 84.9%
13
Additional 30-level courses
10
0 - 39%
F
75 - 79.9%
4
Addtional courses (any level)
30
PASS
P
70 - 74.9%
4
Outdoor Education 30 Personal Fitness 30 Philosophies of Man 30 Physical Education 30 Physics 30 Social Studies 30-1 Spanish 30 Sports Medicine 30 Theatre Arts 30
STS HONOURS SYSTEM First Class Honours | 90–100% Honours | 80–89%.
SCHOOL CALENDAR: Semester 1: September to January | Semester 2: February to June
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Kindergarten to Grade 6 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 7 to 10 are mandatory for all STS students. In Grades 11 and 12, students may choose to pursue the full IB Diploma Programme (DP) or individual IB DP courses.
IB MYP YEAR 5 (GRADE 10) PERSONAL PROJECT Grade 10 students undertake an independent research study called the 'Personal Project,’ which serves as the culminating IB MYP experience. Students are assessed on three key elements: (1) Product or Outcome, (2) Process Journal, and (3) Final Written or Oral Report. The final report undergoes assessment by an STS Teacher Advisor and, in some cases, an external IB examiner to maintain a globally consistent standard.
IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (most demanding)
Unlike many jurisdictions where completion of the IB Diploma Programme (DP) satisfies secondary school graduation requirements, Alberta requires students to meet both provincial graduation and IB Diploma requirements. Students who elect to pursue the IB DP therefore undertake STS’s most academically demanding pathway, completing six IB subjects while also meeting Alberta graduation requirements. The programme includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), a 4,000-word Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), as well as internally and externally assessed coursework and examinations. To earn the IB Diploma, students must satisfy all programme requirements, including achieving the required minimum point total. Fewer than 5% of Alberta high schools offer the IB DP.
IB COURSE CERTIFICATE(S) (very demanding)
Students may complete one or more individual IB DP course(s) while meeting Alberta graduation requirements. IB Course Certificates allow students to pursue advanced study in selected subjects aligned with their interests, strengths, and post-secondary goals, without completing the full IB Diploma.
IB DP YEAR 1 (GRADE 11)
In Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) courses, teachers assign an Anticipated Grade from 1 to 7, based on performance against IB standards and subjectspecific criteria. Internal Assessments (IAs) are marked by STS teachers and externally moderated by the IB.
IB DP YEAR 2 (GRADE 12) Anticipated Grades are reported in November and February. In April, teachers submit a Predicted Grade (PG) from 1 to 7, estimating final course achievement. IAs generally account for 20–30% of the final grade; externally marked examinations typically account for the remaining 70–80%. Final IB grades are issued in July on a 1–7 scale. Up to three additional points may be earned through Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE), for a maximum Diploma score of 45.
IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME WORLD vs STS RESULTS 2022
PERFORMANCE MEASURE
2023
2024
2025
2026
WORLD
STS
WORLD
STS
WORLD
STS
WORLD
STS WORLD
STS
AVERAGE DIPLOMA SCORE (out of 45)
32
35
30
32
30
34
30.5
35
30.8
37
MEAN SUBJECT GRADE (out of 7)
5.13
5.60
4.84
5.00
4.90
5.30
4.90
5.57
4.90
5.73
DIPLOMA PASS RATE (out of 100%)
86%
100%
80%
100%
80%
92%
81%
100%
79%
100%
Class of 2026 IB DP Graduates
MEAN SUBJECT GRADES BY SUBJECT GROUP 2025
2026
SUBJECT GROUP
IB DP COURSES OFFERED AT STS
WORLD
STS
WORLD
STS
1
English A: Literature HL
4.58
5.31
4.67
5.74
2
French ab initio French B SL Spanish ab initio Spanish B SL Mandarin ab initio
4.72 5.07 4.89 * 5.17
5.40 6.20 7.00 * 7.00
4.75 5.09 4.88 5.80 *
5.54 6.43 6.00 6.50 *
3
Economics SL Economics HL History SL History HL
4.90 5.14 4.69 4.90
5.13 5.63 5.14 5.33
5.23 4.97 4.76 4.98
5.75 5.20 5.30 5.57
4
Biology SL Biology HL Chemistry SL Chemistry HL Physics SL Design Technology SL
4.25 4.44 4.34 4.81 4.24 4.10
5.40 6.00 5.17 4.83 4.67 4.38
4.31 4.49 4.47 4.35 4.47 4.07
6.50 5.00 5.13 6.71 5.13 4.56
5
Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches HL
4.50 4.90
5.45 4.00
4.46 4.37
5.00 5.00
6
Visual Arts SL Visual Arts HL Music SL
3.98 4.25 4.34
4.75 5.00 5.40
3.99 4.30 4.37
4.67 5.33 5.00
IB DP & ALBERTA DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS The IB Diploma Programme is completed concurrently with Alberta graduation requirements, making it STS’s most academically demanding pathway. Because the IB and Alberta curricula are not fully aligned, students work toward two sets of learning outcomes and assessment requirements in many subject areas. In applicable Grade 12 courses, IB DP candidates also write Alberta provincial diploma exams alongside IB assessments, demonstrating achievement against both provincial and international standards. ALBERTA COURSES WITH PROVINCIAL DIPLOMA EXAMS
English Language Arts 30-1 Social Studies 30-1 Mathematics 30-1 Mathematics 30-2 Biology 30 Chemistry 30 Physics 30
*Course not offered at STS that year.
CO-CURRICULAR & GLOBAL LEARNING A vibrant co-curricular programme complements classroom learning through athletics, fine arts, outdoor education, leadership, and academic competition. Students participate in initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, Global Scholars Diploma, Model United Nations, STEM Racing in Schools, and Speech & Debate, with several programmes competing at national and international levels. As a Round Square school, STS fosters service, leadership, and global citizenship through exchanges, conferences, community engagement, and experiential learning opportunities in Canada and abroad.
Round Square trip to Tanzania, Summer 2026
POST-SECONDARY OFFERS OF ADMISSION (2022–2026) Bold indicates institutions where members of the Class of 2026 were accepted. *Indicates institutions students chose to attend.
CANADA Acadia University Alberta University of the Arts Brock University Camosun College Cape Breton University Capilano University Carleton University* Concordia University Dalhousie University* Durham College Emily Carr University of Art + Design Huron University* Ivey Business School*
King’s University College Kwantlen Polytechnic University Lakehead University Lethbridge Polytechnic MacEwan University McGill University* McMaster University* Memorial University of Newfoundland Mount Allison University Mount Royal University* OCAD University Ontario Tech University Queen’s University*
Red Deer Polytechnic University of British Columbia* Saint Mary’s University University of British Columbia | Simon Fraser University liOkanagan* Southern Alberta Institute of Technology University of Calgary* St. Francis Xavier University* University of Guelph* St. Thomas University University of King’s College Thompson Rivers University University of Lethbridge* Timberline Academy* University of Manitoba Toronto Metropolitan University* University of New Brunswick Trent University University of Ottawa* Trinity Western University University of Prince Edward Island University of Alberta* University of Regina University of Alberta | Faculté Saint-Jean
University of Saskatchewan* University of Toronto* University of Toronto | Mississauga University of Toronto | Scarborough University of Toronto | St. George University of Victoria University of Waterloo* University of Windsor Vancouver Island University Western University* Wilfrid Laurier University York University
Dartmouth College Embry-Riddle Aeronautical iiUniversity* Gonzaga University Harvey Mudd College Hawaii Pacific University Indiana University Ithaca College Lewis & Clark College Louisiana State University Macalester College* Massachusetts College of Pharmacy li& Health Sciences Miami University Middlebury College Montana State University New York University
Northwestern University Occidental College Oregon State University Parsons School of Design Pennsylvania State University Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College Sacred Heart University San Diego State University Savannah College of Art & Design Scripps College Shenandoah University Smith College St. Edward’s University St. Mary’s University
Syracuse University Texas Christian University* Texas Tech University University of Arizona University of California | Berkeley* University of California | Davis University of California | Irvine University of California | Riverside University of California | San Diego University of Central Florida University of Charleston University of Chicago* University of Colorado Boulder University of Dallas University of Delaware University of Denver* University of Florida
University of Hawai’i University of Houston University of Louisville University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Montana University of Oregon* University of Tampa University of Texas at Austin University of Washington University of Wisconsin–Madison University of Wyoming Villanova University Virginia Polytechnic Institute Western Kentucky University Willamette University Yale University
Istituto Marangoni King’s College London* London Metropolitan University London School of Economics & PP liPolitical Science* Medical University of the Americas Middlesex University Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland liUniversity of Medicine & Health liSciences* Robert Gordon University SOAS University of London
St. George’s University | Grenada St. John’s College Swiss Hotel Management School Trinity College Dublin* Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & liDance University College Dublin University College London University of Aberdeen University of Birmingham University of Brighton University of Bristol
University of Buckingham University of Dundee University of Edinburgh University of Hertfordshire University of Kent University of Lancashire University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Liverpool University of Manchester University of Melbourne
University of Sheffield University of Southampton University of St Andrews* University of Stirling University of Surrey University of Sussex University of Sydney* University of the Arts London University of Warwick University of West London University of Westminster
USA Arizona State University* Arizona State University: liBarrett, The Honors College* Babson College Baylor University Boston University Brigham Young University | Idaho Brigham Young University | Provo Brown University California Polytechnic State University Carnegie Mellon University Carroll College Claremont McKenna College CLI Conservatory Colby College Colgate University* Colorado School of Mines
INTERNATIONAL Aston University Auckland University of Technology Brunel University of London City St George’s, University of London Comillas Pontifical University Dublin City University Forward College Francisco de Vitoria University Geneva Business School Griffith University Howest University of Applied Sciences IE University
CONTACT INFORMATION SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
ACADEMIC
HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr. Carol Grant-Watt
IB DP COORDINATOR Jeff Petersen petersj@sts.ab.ca
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL, ACADEMICS Dr. Michael Simmonds michael.simmonds@sts.ab.ca HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL Rory Stabler stablerr@sts.ab.ca
POST-SECONDARY GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS Crystal Scott Tara Law scottc@sts.ab.ca lawt@sts.ab.ca
AFFILIATIONS & ACCREDIATIONS
STRATHCONA-TWEEDSMUIR SCHOOL 20-298136 24 ST W Foothills, Alberta, Canada T1S 7A4 phone: +1 403 938 4431 www.strathconatweedsmuir.com
SCHOOL CODES Alberta Education School Code | 9922 College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Code | 820190 International Baccalaureate School Code | 001250 UCAS Centre Number | 45767