About Quest
Our Story
Calgary Quest School (CQS) was established in 1980 by a group of caring parents of students with challenges. These parents formed a non-profit society and wrote a philosophy for Quest School that continues to this day. In 1995, Calgary Quest School approached the Alberta Government to become a Designated Special Education Private School (DSEPS). Once this designation was granted, Calgary Quest School took its place as a fully sanctioned school designated to bring dignity and respect for education of students with significant challenges.
In March 2024, Calgary Quest Services took a significant step towards our vision of becoming a community-based service provider with the opening of our new Sunalta campus. This innovative learning hub for high school students and young adults with moderate to severe developmental disabilities is designed to foster independence, life-skills, and real-life experiences in a community setting. The Sunalta campus marks the beginning of our long-term vision to integrate our students and participants into neighborhoods where services and opportunities are readily accessible, ensuring that education extends beyond the classroom and into the heart of the community.
In January 2025, we announced the upcoming move of our elementary and junior high program to a new, purpose-designed space at our Barlow location, conveniently located near a CTrain route to improve accessibility for many of our families. The new location is currently undergoing construction to ensure it meets the unique needs of our students and will be ready to welcome them for the 2025–26 school year.
Our Programs
At Calgary Quest, we offer a range of specialized programs designed to support children, teens, and young adults with developmental disabilities. Each program is rooted in our commitment to individualized learning, evidence-based practices, and inclusive education.
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An educational and therapeutic program for students aged 6–20 with moderate to severe disabilities. We offer specialized instruction, therapy supports, and life-skills development in a safe, inclusive environment across our Elementary, Junior High, and High School classrooms. All classrooms are staffed with a certified teacher and dedicated instructional assistants, ensuring a low student-to-staff ratio so that the support needs of every student are met.
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Delivered in a structured group setting, the program focuses on life skills development, personalized learning, and meaningful community-based experiences to support a successful transition into adulthood for young adults ages 18-28 with cross-disabilities
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A fun, inclusive summer camp for campers of all abilities aged 6–19. Weekly themes, skill-building activities, and life-skills programming make this a memorable and meaningful experience for every child.
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Before-and-after care and respite services are available to students of Quest School and the young adult participants at the Centre for Opportunity, as well as students with disabilities from other schools. These services provide students with a safe place outside of scheduled school hours where they will participate in a variety of self-directed indoor and outdoor activities.
Our Team
Quest programs are supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team that works collaboratively to meet the unique needs of each student and participant. Our team includes certified teachers, instructional assistants, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, music therapists, and behaviour strategists. Our team works together to create a supportive, inclusive, and enriching environment for learning and growth.
Mission
A committed multi-disciplinary community working together to provide a supportive learning environment for cross-disability students, young adults, and their families to deliver the best outcomes in their social emotional, and educational journey.
Vision
Maximizing potential through excellence in individualized programing
Values
Providing a caring and compassionate environment for staff, students, and their families.
Caring
Respectful
Treating others, ourselves, and our environment with high regard and value.
Creating an environment that recognizes and values the unique differences across our community by supporting everyone to do their best.
Inclusive
Enriching our practices to nurture, protect, and guide our resources – human, financial, and environmental – into the future.
Sustainable
Building an environment where student and staff safety is a concern shared by everyone.
Safe