This letter is to inform you that both overflow receiver schools for Grant MacEwan School, namely O.S. Geiger School and Catherine Nichols Gunn School, have reached their capacity. As a result, they will be unable to accommodate any additional Cornerstone students that are being overflowed from Grant MacEwan School.
James Short Memorial School and G.W. Skene School will now serve as third and fourth overflow schools to accommodate the growing Cornerstone community for the 2025-26 school year and beyond.
Effective immediately, all new Cornerstone registrations for Grant MacEwan School that cannot be accommodated at Grant MacEwan or its overflow receiving schools (i.e. O.S. Geiger or Catherine Nichols Gunn Schools), including new registrations in SchoolEngage, will be overflowed as follows:
- Kindergarten to Grade 3 students will be designated to James Short Memorial School located in the community of Penbrooke Meadows at 6333 5 Ave SE Calgary, AB T2A 3V7, phone 403-777-8170
- Grade 4 to 6 students will be designated to G.W. Skene School, located in the community of Penbrooke Meadows at 6226 Penbrooke Dr SE, Calgary, AB T2A 6M7, phone 403-777-8150
All kindergarten to Grade 6 students who live in the Cornerstone community and attend one of the overflow schools will be placed on a call-back list and offered a place at their designated school of Grant MacEwan, O.S. Geiger or Catherine Nichols Gunn as space becomes available.
Are there changes for current students attending Grant MacEwan School, O.S. Geiger School and Catherine Nichols Gunn School?
All Cornerstone students who are currently attending Grant MacEwan School or the overflow schools of O.S. Geiger School and Catherine Nichols Gunn School will continue to attend their school, provided they do not move out of the community.
Why is this change happening?
In a notice sent on January 9, 2024, we informed families residing in the Cornerstone community that all new kindergarten to Grade 6 students who could not be accommodated at Grant MacEwan School or O.S. Geiger School, would be designated to Catherine Nichols Gunn School.
Enrolment continues to increase at Grant MacEwan School, O.S. Geiger School and Catherine Nichols Gunn School, as more families move into the Cornerstone community.
How does a call-back list work?
If space becomes available in Grant MacEwan School during the school year, that space will be offered to students on the call-back list who are currently attending O.S. Geiger School, Catherine Nichols Gunn School, James Short Memorial School or G.W. Skene School. You will be notified if a space becomes available. Students remain on the call-back list while they attend the designated overflow school. Students will be removed from the call-back list if they move out of the Cornerstone community or transfer from their designated overflow school.
Any new registrations received for the 2025-26 school year will be added to the call-back list based on priority designation and the date and time of their registration.
How do I register for the 2026-27 school year?
The lottery process will be followed for kindergarten to Grade 6 for the 2026-27 school year and beyond. For more details on how we determine priority, please visit our website.
Families with a kindergarten or Grade 1 student who is unsuccessful in the Grant MacEwan lottery and has a sibling already attending Grant MacEwan School, O.S. Geiger School or Catherine Nichols Gunn School may choose to register all of their children at the overflow, James Short Memorial School or G.W. Skene School.
Is there Transportation for students attending the designated overflow schools?
Students are eligible for transportation to their designated or overflow school if they live beyond the walk zone. Overflowed students will receive transportation to and from school once the family submits a transportation registration and it is processed. Please note that transportation fees apply to overflow situations as well.
In the CBE and across the city, we are experiencing a school bus driver shortage that may impact the mode of service provided. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to restore reliability to transportation services. Please visit Busing & Transportation for important information, or to register for transportation, visit MyCBE.
What if I have questions?
If you still have questions or require additional information, please contact the Area 4 office at Area4@cbe.ab.ca or 403-777-6233 (extension 0).