Duane Plantinga
Executive Director

Since its founding in 1958, the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta has defended and promoted the right of parents to determine the education of their children.

The Association recognizes that Government has a role in protecting the right of children to an education and in setting minimum standards to enable its citizens to function in a democratic society.

Our role, therefore, is to help create and maintain the social and political climate in which parents can carry out their educational responsibilities with the assurance that their initiatives are compatible with the legitimate concerns of their communities and Alberta society.

The Association seeks to represent all independent schools in the province. We keep our members informed of political trends and developments, and of ways in which we can build a growing acceptance and understanding of the exercise of parental rights and duties within our communities. We suggest presentations which need to be made to legislators, media, and neighbours. Together we develop common positions which form the basis for our briefs and presentations to various committees, caucuses, commissions, and others whose deliberations affect our rights and responsibilities.

1. The name of the Society is:
Association Of Independent Schools And Colleges In Alberta.

2. The objects of the Society are as follows:

A) To support and encourage high standards of education in the independent schools and colleges of the Province of Alberta;

B) To make known and foster public understanding of the aims, ideals, philosophies and services of the independent schools and colleges of the Province of Alberta.

C) To develop and foster understanding and co-operation:

i. among Alberta's independent schools and colleges,
ii. between Alberta's independent schools and colleges and other educational institutions in Alberta,
iii. Between Alberta's independent schools and colleges and the Government of the Province of Alberta,
iv. Between this association and similar associations in other provinces of Canada.

D) To promote the following principles, namely that:

i. parents have the duty and the prior right to educate their children.
ii. in a pluralistic society different and distinctive educational philosophies can be reflected in a variety of educational institutions which can make significant contributions to society's educational system.
iii. public authorities have the obligation and responsibility to promote democratic freedom by assuring equal educational opportunity for all students.
iv. public authorities have an obligation to treat those parents who wish to exercise their right to a choice in education outside the school system established by public authorities with financial equity.
v. an independent school should have the right to devise a curriculum fully compatible with its articulated philosophy of education.
vi. a school's curriculum should at least have among its goals the provision of the opportunity for each child to the limits of his or her potential:

a) to acquire the basic skills fundamental to his or her continuing education:
b) to develop and maintain confidence and a sense of self-worth;
c) to gain the knowledge and acquire the attitudes that he or she needs for active participation in Canadian society;
d) develop the moral and aesthetic sensitivity necessary for a complete and reasonable life.

vii. no school may advocate or promote racial or ethnic superiority, or religious intolerance, or social change through violence.

E) To promote the general welfare of this Society and of independent schools and colleges in the Province of Alberta and in Canada.

AISCA welcomes comments and suggestions about our web site and our work on behalf of independent schools.