Our Story

In October, 2010, First Steps & Beyond opened its doors in Red Deer with two children enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten. Word spread through parents telling other parents what they were seeing in their children. Within two years, enrolment had grown, and the school moved to its current home at 4910 59 Street, a location that gave us room to grow both in size and in programming.

In June 2016, First Steps & Beyond received its designation as a Registered Private School from Alberta Education. This milestone opened the door to adding Grades 1 through 8 to the school's programs. In 2023, the Academy and its grade-level programs were formally established as First Steps Elementary Academy, while Pre-School and Pre-Kinders continue to operate under First Steps & Beyond Daycare.

First Steps was the first independent school of its kind in Red Deer. The school has grown entirely through reputation.

Our Vision

First Steps Elementary Academy inspires integrity, respect, culture, and achievement.

 

Our Mission

First Steps Elementary Academy provides the environment and setting for our students to excel in their learning and personal development, from their earliest years through Grade 8.

What We Stand For

Integrity

We hold ourselves and our students to high standards of honesty and accountability. Students learn that their word and their effort matter.

Respect

We build respect for each other, for our differences, for our learning environment, and for the adults who are invested in students’ growth. Respect is the foundation on which trust is built, and students do not learn from those they do not trust.

Acceptance

First Steps serves a beautifully diverse community of families. We celebrate that diversity and ensure every child feels that they belong here, exactly as they are.

Achievement

We believe every child is capable of more than they think. Our job is to create the conditions where they can discover that for themselves, academically, personally, and socially.

Accountability

Students at First Steps are expected to take responsibility for their work and their conduct. That expectation, delivered with warmth and consistency, builds the character that carries them through school and far beyond it.

Culture

We believe in building a strong sense of community within our school. It reflects and honours the rich cultural backgrounds of our families and instills pride in personal accomplishment.

Our Place in the Community

Our students and staff are active participants in the Red Deer community: volunteering at the Red Deer Food Bank, supporting the Outreach Centre, attending cultural performances, and using community facilities for Physical Education throughout the school year.

For many of our families, especially those who are new to Canada, First Steps is more than a school. It is one of their first meaningful connections to their new home. We take that role seriously and invest in the community that has welcomed and supported us.

Governance & Transparency

As an Independent Accredited Funded Private School, First Steps Elementary Academy is committed to full transparency in its governance and financial accountability. The following documents are available for review: