Atlas Learning Academy - Airdrie, Alberta

Hayley S.

I attended this school from kindergarten till grade 6 and I had a great experience. I had a good relationship with all of the teachers and staff which was easy because of the small number of kids. Small classes created a family-like environment and it felt like all belonged. Bullying could be controlled by the teachers making the whole environment feel safe. One downside was the pressure to be friends with everyone. When drama started we were told to walk away but that was hard because you were constantly surrounded by people you would like to avoid. Though this was harder on the kids it did teach us how to resolve problems and be in the same space as people you didn't get along with. Shoutout to Ms. Flores for being AWESOME!

Sean

We are having a great experience with this school. They have gone above and beyond with my daughter. we recommend Atlas Learning Academy! Specifically up till now I can say that Miss F, Miss H, Miss V and Miss G (and the aftercare staff) have all treated my daughter like family. they are kind and devoted, they take safety and policy seriously and your kids are in excellent hands.

Vanessa B.

As we enter our 3rd year with Atlas, I wanted to make a review thanking all of the staff who have worked with us and Helen in particular. She made it possible for a single mom of 2, to have her children get a better education. She has worked with us personally to ensure my son, who was struggling in public school, due to ADHD, was getting actual help and now he is thriving. I believe greatly that he would not have been able to succeed as he has in a class size of 30. I’m sad that this is my oldest last year but am thankful he’s had so many great times. Thank you to all the teachers and again, to Helen.

River L.

I found that I had a lot of great education but staff members didn’t care and clearly just wanted money. People are forced to be friends with everyone and that’s not fair. And there was very poor and unfair treatment. My daughter hated it and the small class sizes were horrible for socializing.

Christina P.

Loved this school! I had a great Kindergarten experience with Atlas and wished we could have continued to grade 1 but we knew going into it that it was unlikely that there would be a space. It looks like there was some miscommunication in an earlier review as everyone in Kinder B was sent an email during the summer 2018 informing us there would not be a second grade 1 class for 2019/2020 and we were required to respond to that email to confirm if we still wanted our child to continue enrollment for Kindergarten B. I think all of the faculty, from the owner, Helen to Ms Fitzgerald, the teachers and the before/after school care providers have done an incredible job at providing quality education. If a spot opens up in future grades, I would happily put my child back at Atlas!

Catherine B.

I had a very poor experience with Atlas. My son was enrolled in preschool here and attended about a month’s worth of classes. I was a subsidy candidate, and even though my preschool subsidy would have been approved to cover a portion of our fees, I was discriminated against for my financial status. The owner Helen expelled my son with no valid reasons, refused to meet with me to discuss her decision, and said it didn’t matter because I “could not afford them anyway.” I gave her numerous opportunities to discuss her decision with me and meet with me in person. She declined them all and ultimately ghosted me on my calls and texts. Both she and the head principle had a disrespectful attitude towards me and I felt that they really spoke down to me, as if they felt they were better than me. They really condescended to me, made a huge deal about me dropping off my child at a wrong door, even though rules were never made completely clear, and mocked me for playing the victim when I stood up for myself and explained why this treatment was unacceptable. As a cautious parent sending my child to school for the first time ever, this treatment doesn’t exactly inspire trust in this establishment. There are so many great preschools out there. Find one that doesn't discriminate against or talk down to parents - the very people they rely on as a private school.

Updates: Helen claims I do not review honestly. I give my word as a local guide that this is an honest and true review. Helen claims I broke rules and covid protocols. The truth is we were expelled before I was ever given a second chance and nothing was ever issued to parents in writing to fill us in on expectations prior to the start of school, it was just assumed everyone would know and follow the rules even before they were clearly communicated. I had never been back at the preschool since the initial time they brought up covid protocol and it was not discussed ever beyond that first day either. Helen claims she does not discriminate against parents for their financial status, even though the words "you can't afford us anyways" in my opinion, suggest otherwise, regardless of if there are other subsidy applicants that go there. Helen claims I was rude, but that was complete conjecture on her part. It is hard not to come off a little defensive when you are spoken down to or approached aggressively from the start in an already hostile environment. Helen claims we had a good experience in the Spring, but this is not true. I was not communicated with sufficiently about what was going on during classroom time, my concerns and proactive approach to my child's care were held against me, but I was open to giving them a second chance. Helen claims my son was given free preschool for one month. This is true. I didn't ask for it and clearly said I didn't want to be indebted to her, and yet here, she is mentioning it as if to hold it over me. Regardless of the free month we were able to take advantage of, that doesn't give her or the other staff excuse to belittle and talk down to me. We were expelled because she didn't like us and didn't want to be bothered to take an in person meeting to explain it. Her replies about covid protocols and rules being discussed on multiple occasions are untrue. We got one warning and were expelled before I had ever been back to the class in person.

Whether Helen believes I've been more difficult to deal with than the average parent or not, at the end of the day, Helen did not treat me in a professional manner, and that's her responsibility as the representative of this business. She may be responding in a professional way here where she knows she is in public view, but when it was between her and I, she did not interact in way that reflects positively on her school, even though I gave her many chances.

My word as a local guide, I've delivered a fully honest review. I cannot in good conscience recommend this school to another parent. I am only one, but I would be sad if others had this unfortunate experience too.

Red S.

Well... Where to start. Was promised way back (over a yr ago) that our children would be able to progress through from kindergarten onward. This has not happened and we are now or have been forced to find an alternative. Upon speaking with SO many parents the one thing consistent has been that HELEN (owner) promises so much but does NOT follow through. She tells parents what they want to hear at the time but it's not the truth. Heard that parents from kindergarten B class were taken but then turns out there's no room for those children to go to grade 1. She also said that if kids dropped out or were not moving on from kindergarten A that she would choose children from the B class that had other kids already in Atlas to move onto grade 1. This also was and is UNTRUE. I have spoken to a couple of parents from B class that do not have other children in Atlas yet they were offered a spot however turned Helen down because of her antics and how dishonest she is.

Can't say enough about Me Adrienne. She taught last year and this year she took on role of principal. AMAZING and exemplary. She should be running the entire show. Great to deal with, professional however the parents miss her as a teacher.

It is said that Helen chose to "bad mouth" another school for taking in more students than what they had room for in following grades, however Helen has done EXACTLY THIS. Not good business.

Hopefully future parents of the school will speak to other parents and get a true and honest reflection of ATLAS.

Sabrina M.

Outstanding school, teachers and curriculum. The teachers will work with each student to reach their full potential while incorporating their individual learning styles and capabilities. My son has attended Preschool and now Kindergarten and will continue with Atlas Learning Academy until Grade 4 and than switch over to the AMP School.