Grade 1-8

At First Steps Elementary Academy, Grades 1 through 8 are where your child develops the academic skills, personal character, and sense of responsibility that follow them for life. And they do it in a classroom where their teacher truly knows who they are.

Page Summary
  • First Steps Elementary Academy is a designated independant school in Red Deer, Alberta 
  • Offering Grades 1 through 8 for families in Red Deer, Blackfalds, and Penhold
  • Full Alberta Education curriculum across all core subjects, including Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Art
  • Specialized programs include Gifted and Talented (GAT), remedial support, and ESL

Program Overview

As a designated independent school with Alberta Education, First Steps delivers the full provincial curriculum from Grade 1 through Grade 8. Your child learns in a class of up to 12 students and has one-on-one time with their teacher every single day.

That daily individual attention is the foundation of our teaching. When a teacher sits down with each student individually, they know who is ready to be pushed further, who needs a concept revisited, and who is quietly struggling before it becomes a problem. No student falls through the cracks here because we've built a school where that's genuinely impossible.

Every student is expected to work toward their potential. They are expected to continually set and meet attainable goals in their learning. That expectation, paired with the individual support to meet it, is what makes a First Steps education different.

What Your Child Will Learn

Students in Grades 1 through 8 receive instruction across all core subject areas in alignment with the Alberta Education curriculum.

Language Arts 

Reading, writing, comprehension, and communication skills are built progressively year over year.

Mathematics

Conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills are introduced to grow in complexity through every grade.

Science 

Hands-on, inquiry-based learning through science topics helps build your child’s curiosity and critical thinking.

Social Studies 

Your child will develop an understanding of community, culture, history, and citizenship at home and in the world.

French 

Our continued French and English as a Second Language instruction builds on foundations introduced in Kindergarten.

Physical Education 

Our off-site gym classes with a wide range of activities keep students active and developing healthy habits.

Art & Music 

Creative subjects are introduced to develop expression, discipline, and a different kind of intelligence.

Health 

Our instructors provide age-appropriate instruction that supports children’s physical and emotional well-being.

Programs & Supports

Gifted and Talented (G.A.T.) Hub

For students who are ready to be challenged beyond grade level, our GAT program provides advanced material that keeps them engaged, motivated, and growing. 

Remedial Support 

For students who need extra time or a different approach to solidify a concept, individualized support is built into the daily routine. Because every student works one-on-one with their teacher each day, challenges are identified and addressed early.

ESL (English as a Second Language) 

For students whose first language isn’t English, our ESL program provides the targeted language support students need to fully access their education and gain confidence in the classroom.

Why Our Grade 1-8 Education is the Right Step

One-on-One Attention Every Day. 

Every student in Grades 1 through 8 receives individual time with their teacher every single school day. That consistency builds trust, catches problems early, and ensures every student moves forward.

A Traditional Approach That Builds Real Skills. 

We believe strong academic foundations come from mastering the fundamentals first. Our approach prioritizes skills, knowledge, and personal responsibility over screen time, equipping students to think independently and perform with confidence.

A Culture of Respect and Personal Responsibility. 

At First Steps, students are expected to take ownership of their learning and their conduct. Respect, tolerance, and accountability are part of our school's culture and are reinforced every day by the teachers and students who make up our community.

Individuality is Celebrated. 

We do expect that every student brings their full effort and their whole self. Differences are respected here, and that makes every student stronger.

See What Learning Looks Like at First Steps

We welcome you to book a private tour and bring your child along. They're invited to spend a day with us to experience First Steps for themselves.

Book a Tour Admissions & Tuition