A family bought in Springbank Hill last fall specifically for the schools. They'd done their research — Rundle College was right in the community, Ernest Manning was minutes away, the neighbourhood had a reputation. What they hadn't checked: whether their specific address was within the Griffith Woods School catchment, or whether it would be subject to overflow assignment due to capacity pressures. They found out in January, when registration opened.
That's the kind of detail that doesn't make it into the neighbourhood marketing — but it's exactly the kind of detail that determines whether the school access you're paying for actually materializes.
This guide covers everything: the designated public schools, the private options with actual tuition numbers, the admissions timelines, and what school access is genuinely worth in this market.
The Designated Public Schools for Springbank Hill
Most buyers know Springbank Hill has good schools. Fewer know exactly which CBE schools their address actually feeds into — and that matters more than you'd think.
Griffith Woods School (CBE) — Grades K–9
Public • Free for designated students • Within Springbank Hill area
Griffith Woods School, located at 7652 26 Avenue SW, is the designated CBE K-9 school for Springbank Hill and Discovery Ridge. It's a large west-side school and consistently draws families to this corridor specifically because of its reputation and proximity.
Important: Griffith Woods Has Been Over Capacity
CBE has noted that Griffith Woods cannot always accommodate all students from Springbank Hill and Discovery Ridge. In some years, this has meant overflow assignments to alternate area schools. Before buying in Springbank Hill with school access as a priority, use the CBE "Find a School / Search by Address" tool to confirm your specific address is within the designated catchment — and check for any current capacity warnings. The designation can change year to year. CBE registration for 2026-27 opened January 12, 2026.
Ernest Manning High School (CBE)
Within Springbank HillPublic • Grades 10–12 • Free for catchment students
Ernest Manning is Springbank Hill's within-community public high school and one of Calgary's strongest CBE schools. It's free for students in its catchment and offers IB (International Baccalaureate) and AP (Advanced Placement) programs alongside standard curriculum. Out-of-catchment students can apply in spring — but designated catchment students are guaranteed a spot.
Important: Not every Springbank Hill address falls in the Ernest Manning catchment. Verify your specific address at the CBE website before purchasing if high school access is a factor.
Catholic School Options (CCSD)
The Calgary Catholic School District serves Springbank Hill. St. Joan of Arc School (K-6) is the area Catholic elementary option. A new Catholic high school serving southwest Calgary is expected to open approximately 2028 — Catholic families currently commute to existing CCSD high schools for Grades 10-12.
As with CBE, confirm your specific address through CCSD's boundary tools. Catholic school boundaries don't always match CBE boundaries, so a buyer's designated Catholic elementary may differ from what they expect.
A Nearby Option Worth Knowing: Springbank Community High School
Just west of the city limits — about a 10-minute drive for families near the western edge of Springbank Hill — Springbank Community High School (Rocky View Schools, Grades 9-12) is a high-performing rural option that many Springbank Hill families overlook. It earns an 8.2/10 Fraser Institute rating, offers English and French Immersion, and houses a Global Sport Academy for elite young athletes.
Calgary-based students can access it through Rocky View's open-enrolment process, though bussing is designed for Rocky View catchment students. Families near the Springbank Hill / Discovery Ridge boundary who want a different high school environment worth considering as an alternative to Ernest Manning.
Private Schools Within or Adjacent to Springbank Hill
Rundle College
Within Springbank HillPrivate • Grades K–12 • Non-sectarian
Rundle College is a private K-12 school physically located within Springbank Hill. For families choosing private, this eliminates the daily commute that most Calgary private school families deal with — and that commute savings is real money over a K-12 run.
2026-27 Tuition Estimate
| Grade Level | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | ~$18,000–$19,500 |
| Grades 1–6 | ~$19,500–$21,000 |
| Grades 7–9 | ~$21,000–$22,500 |
| Grades 10–12 | ~$22,500–$24,000 |
* Tuition estimates based on publicly available information. Contact Rundle College directly for exact 2026-27 fees and financial assistance details.
Admissions Timeline
- • Applications open: October (not November)
- • Entry points: K, 4, 7 (most competitive)
- • Decision letters: January–February
- • Sibling priority: Yes
Key Programs
- • Strong academic core curriculum
- • Competitive athletics
- • Visual and performing arts
- • Smaller class sizes (~18-22 students)
Menno Simons Christian School
Within Springbank HillChristian Private • Grades K–9
Menno Simons is a faith-based private school offering K-9 education within Springbank Hill. It integrates Christian values with a full academic curriculum and operates on a smaller scale than Rundle College — which suits families looking for a tighter-knit faith community school environment rather than a large independent campus. Contact the school directly for current tuition, admissions requirements, and available grades.
Nearby Private Schools (5–15 min drive)
Webber Academy
Private • Grades JK–12 • Non-sectarian
Webber Academy earns consistent 10/10 Fraser Institute ratings and is frequently ranked among Canada's top private schools. Located approximately 5 minutes from Springbank Hill near the Aspen Woods boundary, it's a realistic daily option. Its JK-12 span means families who commit early can stay through graduation without a school transition.
2026-27 Tuition Estimate
| Grade Level | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| JK / SK | ~$21,000 |
| Grades 1–6 | ~$21,000–$23,000 |
| Grades 7–9 | ~$23,000–$24,500 |
| Grades 10–12 | ~$24,500–$25,800 |
* Estimates based on publicly available data. Contact Webber Academy directly for exact 2026-27 fees and admissions status.
Admissions Timeline
- • Applications open: September–October
- • Assessments: November–January
- • Offers: February–March
Calgary French & International School (CFIS)
Private French Immersion • Grades JK–12 • Over 780 students
CFIS is Calgary's original French immersion school, educating over 780 students from junior preschool through Grade 12 with full French immersion. It earns a consistent 10/10 Fraser rating. Approximately 15 minutes from Springbank Hill. For families prioritizing bilingual education, CFIS is the city's strongest option — but waitlists for JK/SK are common, which means applications need to go in the October before the intended start year.
Tuition estimate: ~$18,700–$21,800/year depending on grade. A French readiness assessment is required for entry above JK. Contact CFIS directly for the current fee schedule and admissions timeline.
Early Childhood: Before the School Years Start
Families with young children often overlook early childhood options when evaluating a community — then scramble once they arrive. Springbank Hill has a strong one right in the neighbourhood.
Montessori by BrightPath — Springbank Child Care Centre
30 Springborough Blvd SW #148 • Infants through Preschool • Licensed for 120 children
Located within Springbank Hill, this accredited Montessori centre uses mixed-age classrooms to build independence and peer learning from infancy. Hours run approximately 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. For families moving to Springbank Hill with children under school age, this is a walkable, established option rather than a lengthy commute to a west-side daycare.
School Summary: Complete Comparison
| School | Grades | Type | Tuition | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffith Woods School | K–9 | Public (CBE) | Free* | Designated school |
| Ernest Manning HS | 10–12 | Public (CBE) | Free | Within community |
| Rundle College | K–12 | Private | $18K–$24K | Within community |
| Menno Simons | K–9 | Christian Private | Contact school | Within community |
| Webber Academy ⭐ | JK–12 | Private | $21K–$25.8K | ~5 min drive |
| CFIS ⭐ | JK–12 | Private (French) | $18.7K–$21.8K | ~15 min drive |
| St. Joan of Arc | K–6 | Catholic (CCSD) | Free | Near community |
| Springbank Comm. HS | 9–12 | Public (Rocky View) | Free (open enrol.) | ~10 min drive |
| Ambrose University | Post-secondary | Christian University | University rates | Adjacent |
⭐ = 10/10 Fraser Institute rating. Green = within or adjacent to Springbank Hill. * Griffith Woods: verify catchment for your specific address — capacity pressures have led to overflow assignments.
Key Admissions Timelines
The most common mistake families make: they find out about Rundle College in the spring, then learn applications opened the previous October. Here's the full timeline picture.
Rundle College
- Applications open: October
- Decision letters: January–February
- Most competitive: K, Grade 4, Grade 7
- Sibling priority applies
Webber Academy
- Applications open: September–October
- Assessments: November–January
- Offers: February–March
CFIS
- Applications open: October–November
- French readiness assessment required
- Waitlists common for JK/SK
Griffith Woods / Ernest Manning (CBE)
- CBE registration 2026-27: opened Jan 12
- No application for catchment students
- Out-of-catchment: apply in spring
- Ernest Manning IB: separate application
What School Access Is Actually Worth Here
School proximity in Springbank Hill has measurable price impact — and it operates at two levels.
- Walking distance to Ernest Manning / Rundle College: Estimated 5-12% premium over comparable Springbank Hill homes that require a drive to school. Families will pay to eliminate daily school logistics from their lives.
- Confirmed Griffith Woods catchment vs. uncertain: An address confirmed within the designated K-9 catchment carries more value than one near the boundary — because capacity pressures mean overflow assignments are real. Buyers who verify this before purchasing protect that premium.
- Private school proximity value: Rundle College being within the community saves families ~$2,000-$5,000/year in transportation compared to families driving to private school from other communities. Over a 13-year K-12 run, that's a real number the market has already priced in.
For broader school context without the tuition detail, see our Springbank Hill schools parent's guide or explore the schools page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the designated public school for Springbank Hill?
Griffith Woods School (CBE, K-9) is the designated public school for most Springbank Hill and Discovery Ridge addresses. Ernest Manning High School (CBE, Grades 10-12) is the designated public high school. However, Griffith Woods has been over capacity for Springbank Hill in recent years — CBE may assign some students to alternate schools. Always verify your specific address using the CBE "Find a School" tool before purchasing.
How much does Rundle College cost per year?
Rundle College tuition for 2026-27 ranges from approximately $18,000-$24,000/year depending on grade level, with additional fees for lunch programs, extended care, and extracurriculars. Financial assistance programs are available. Contact Rundle College admissions directly for the current fee schedule — and apply in October, not January.
How much does Webber Academy cost per year?
Webber Academy tuition for 2026-27 is approximately $21,000-$25,800/year depending on grade level. JK/SK is at the lower end; Grade 12 at the higher end. Additional fees apply for lunch, certain extracurriculars, and school trips. Webber Academy earns a consistent 10/10 Fraser Institute rating and is approximately a 5-minute drive from Springbank Hill.
Is Ernest Manning High School a public or private school?
Ernest Manning High School is a public school within the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) — free for students in its catchment. It offers International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs alongside standard curriculum. Most Springbank Hill addresses fall within the Ernest Manning catchment for high school, but verify your specific address at the CBE website. Out-of-catchment students can apply in spring.
How do I apply to Rundle College?
Rundle College admissions open in October for the following September. Applications go through the school's online portal. Waitlists are common for popular grades — Grades K, 4, and 7 are the most competitive entry points. Apply in October, not November. Rundle College gives priority to siblings of current students, so families who get in early gain a compounding advantage.
How do Springbank Hill schools affect my property value?
School access is priced into Springbank Hill real estate. Homes within walking distance of Ernest Manning HS and Rundle College command an estimated 5-12% premium over comparable Springbank Hill homes that require driving to school. The Griffith Woods capacity issue also matters — an address confirmed within the designated catchment is more valuable than one that risks overflow assignment. Before buying, verify both your high school catchment and K-9 designation.
Back to that family from the opening: they ended up fine — their address was confirmed within the Griffith Woods catchment once they checked. But they checked after they bought, not before. If school access is part of why you're looking at Springbank Hill, run the CBE address lookup before you write an offer, not after. It takes five minutes and removes one of the few uncertainties in this community's school picture.
Everything else — the private school options, the tuition ranges, the admissions timelines — is in your hands. Springbank Hill's school ecosystem is genuinely one of Calgary's strongest. You just need to know exactly which parts of it apply to the specific address you're buying.
Tuition figures are estimates based on publicly available information and may not reflect exact 2026-27 rates. Contact schools directly for confirmed current tuition and fee schedules. Fraser Institute ratings current as of most recent available data. CBE catchment information verified against CBE school finder — confirm your specific address at cbe.ab.ca before purchasing.