Alice Jamieson Girls' Academy
Program Motto
Dare to Dream, Dare to Do, Dare to Succeed
Building a Community of Learners One Step at a Time
Alice Jamieson Girls' Academy (AJA) is a STEAM based program that emphasizes collaborative, inquiry-based learning. The success of this innovative, learning-centered program thrives through students, staff, parents and members of the broader community working together to explore curriculum that highlights how women contribute meaningfully to society and lead change.
Advocacy for student voice is evident throughout the Calgary Board of Education. The students, staff and parents of Stanley Jones School have warmly welcomed AJA, knowing this sharing of space benefits the entire learning community. The girls in our program enter high school with confidence in their critical thinking skills, individual talents and leadership abilities. As AJA focuses on learning through an interdisciplinary approach, the students in AJA learn how to thrive in their academic and social environments.
Principal's Message
Welcome to the Alice Jamieson Girls' Academy. The Alice Jamieson Girls' Academy is an alternative program offered within the Calgary Board of Education. We invite you to explore our website to gain insights into aspects of program and school.
Our program was initiated as an alternative program within the Calgary Board of Education in response to research that suggested that girls are more apt to pursue careers in science or technology if they are able to attend programs tailored to the learning needs of female students. Research has continued to support the idea that all-girl learning environments can create a culture of achievement while ensuring girls have the space to voice their thinking, question and learn in an environment free from potential limitations in a co-ed classroom (Riggers-Piehl, T., et.al 2018).
In a recent study “Fostering Academic and Social Engagement: An Investigation into the Effects of All-Girls Education in the Transition to University”, authors Tiffani Riggers-Piehl, Ph.D., Gloria Lim, Ph.D. and Karen King (2018) highlighted key areas in which all-girls environments have better outcomes for their students in preparing them for university and civic engagement. Some areas highlighted are:
- Indicate being more academically engaged
- Demonstrate higher science self-confidence
- Display greater levels of cultural competency
- Express stronger community involvement
- Increased political engagement
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ALL GIRLS’ PROGRAM
Experience as leaders.
We endeavor to provide our students with a variety of leadership experiences in our learning community and within their local and global communities. Students act as volunteers, peer mentors and members of various teams, clubs and initiatives. Our girls act as strong, positive ambassadors for our program. Teachers, coaches, parents, students from other schools, and members of the community frequently comment on the confidence and character our students demonstrate when they visit other sites.
Celebrating successes.
We celebrate our students' successes through assemblies and events which highlight academic and social achievements. The girls are given opportunities to share their learning and personal growth in academics, character and citizenship. The celebration of our students is evident at Celebrations of Learning, Science Fair, Band Festivals, and Athletics.
An emphasis on independence, empowerment, and leadership.
AJA has many opportunities for students to show agency over their learning. We have complimentary courses that ignite interests in various skills and talents such as: leadership, business, outdoor education, computing science, design studies, art, band, choral music, drama and photography. These courses offerings, combined with experimental opportunities and task design to create optimal learning conditions for girls to engage in critical thinking and thrive.
Exposure to women who can act as mentors in science and technology.
In the past, our students have had access to a Guest Speaker Series where students are introduced to women involved in the field of leadership, science and/or technology. The students have also participated in Project Prototype through Telus Spark and a Robotics workshop with Western Mechatronics. These partnerships have been very successful in promoting STEAM education.
Please feel free to contact us regarding our program at 403-777-6800.
Yours truly,
Krista Bartlett, Principal & Anna Johnston, Assistant Principal
Program Name
This alternative program is named after Alice Jamieson who came to Calgary in 1902. Her contribution to building a strong community includes the development of Calgary's Local Council of Women and the YWCA. She was the first female to be appointed to any judiciary in the British Empire; she was appointed police magistrate to hear women's cases; and she was a member of the women's suffrage. She retired in 1932, after her involvement in the "Persons Case".
All Girls Program at the CBE
Is the All Girls Program the Right Choice for My Child?
A successful student demonstrates:
- A willingness to become a confident leader
- A broad perspective on non-traditional career opportunities for females
- An understanding of the lived experience of women in local, national and global cultures
- The preference to working in an all-girl environment
- An interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM)
- An interest in curriculum that highlights how women contribute meaningfully to our society and lead change
- A willingness to learn through making connections across many subjects
Characteristics of the All Girls Program
- Emphasize girls’ abilities to become independent and empowered leaders in school and in their greater community
- Provides girl-focused approaches to learning
- Intentionally emphasizes cooperative and inquiry-based learning
- Increases exposure to science, math and technology
- Builds on girls’ strengths to improve self-confidence, personal growth and understanding of the social construction of gender
- Provides opportunities for mentorship networks among members of the student body and with successful women
- Incorporates a focus on character in all aspects of the curriculum
- School uniform
Visit the CBE website to help determine whether or not an All Girls Program is right for your child, the Alice Jamieson Girls’ Academy Brochure and the Alternative Programs Handbook (Alberta Education).