Open House @ The WISE
THE NEED FOR IMAGINATION, A SENSE OF TRUTH, AND A FEELING OF RESPONSIBILITY
These Are The Very Nerve Of Education
RUDOLF STEINER
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What grade levels does WISE Charter School serve?
WISE Charter School currently serves students in Kindergarten through Grade 9.
What are the ages of entry requirements for Kindergarten and Grade 1?
WISE follows Alberta Education age eligibility requirements, while also aligning with Waldorf education’s developmentally informed approach.
Kindergarten: Children must be 5 years old by September 1 of the year of entry.
Grade 1: Children must be 6 years old by September 1 of the year of entry.
These entry ages support readiness for the academic, social, and physical rhythms of the school day.
What is the 2026-27 application deadline?
Applications received by the March 6, 2026 @ 12:00pm deadline are considered together. Applications received after the deadline may still be considered if space remains available in a given grade.
Current grade-level availability is communicated directly with families during the enrollment process.
What is the enrollment process?
WISE is a public charter school and follows a transparent enrollment process defined in its Charter and the Education Act.
Enrollment is open to students who meet the population parameters outlined in the Charter. Each year, the Principal and Superintendent determine the number of available spaces by grade based on capacity, pedagogy, and program needs.
When applications exceed available spaces, priority criteria and, if necessary, a lottery process are applied.
What happens if a grade is full?
If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available spaces:
- A grade-specific waitlist is created.
- Enrollment priority is applied in accordance with the Charter.
If multiple applicants share the same priority level and spaces are limited, a random lottery is conducted among those applicants.
Waitlists are reset annually. Families must reapply or renew their interest each year to remain eligible for enrollment consideration.
Are placement assessments part of the enrollment process?
Yes, the WISE uses placement assessments for new students.
These assessments are developmentally appropriate and used to support thoughtful placement and program alignment for incoming students.
Classroom shadow days may also be recommended to support a successful transition into the school.
Are there any fees or tuition?
WISE Charter School is a public school, and there is no tuition for Kindergarten through Grade 9.
Families pay annual student fees that support program enrichment, supplies, field trips, and class traditions that are essential to the educational program. No additional school supplies are required beyond these fees. There is a Fee waiver program for low-income families who qualify.
WESE Early Childhood programs operate separately from the WISE K-9 charter school and have program fees.
What do student fees cover?
Student fees support:
- Curriculum-related enrichment materials
- Artistic and practical learning supplies
- Handwork and specialty program materials
- Field trips and experiential learning opportunities
These fees help ensure that learning experiences are integrated into the school day and accessible to all students.
What documentation is required to apply?
Applications typically require:
- Proof of the student’s legal name and date of birth
- Proof of home address
- Proof of citizenship or residency status, as required by Alberta Education
- The student’s most recent report card (Grades 1–9)
- Any relevant assessments or Individualized Program Plans (IPP), if applicable
Additional documentation may be requested to support the enrollment process.
Want to Submit an Application?
Apply Online
The WISE Charter School welcomes K-9 students located in Edmonton and surrounding areas from diverse backgrounds who are committed to engaging in all dimensions of a Waldorf education, balancing academic, artistic and physical pursuits.
Waldorf students are dedicated to personal growth, lifelong learning, social harmony, environmental stewardship, digital minimalism, and a sense of responsibility for our shared interconnectedness and collective humanity.
Our Waldorf-Inspired Philosophy
EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD: HEAD, HEART, AND HANDS
A Community of Harmony
Together We Grow
At The WISE, families and educators form a vibrant circle of support. Our community celebrates diversity, fosters deep connections, and creates a nurturing environment where every child and parent feels seen, heard, and valued. Join us in cultivating lifelong friendships and shared purpose.
"This school, I feel, is unlike any in Edmonton. I love it because you learn all the important things (Math, L.A., Social Studies, etc), but also have fun and memorable experiences while doing so. At Waldorf, friends will always be there for you, from the beginning to the end.”
“I love this school because they let you learn about geography, music, culture, but you are also having fun. For example, in grade 7, you learn about Renaissance (the rebirth of Arts), and we explore the famous artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, and such. Most grades do a class play every year (usually about their most favorite or recent block), and if you really enjoy acting, you can do that too. The school is very fun, but also helps you learn.”
Our child’s teacher is a gem that sees the beauty that lies within each individual student. She never stopped loving or believing in every child in her class. It’s always been a safe place for the kids to find their own identities so they can truly grow into who they are during these delicate development periods. I wish I had such an experience through my schooling. Due to these foundational pieces she is laying down, these kids will reap the benefits of her classroom for decades into adulthood.
THE WISE CHARTER SCHOOL
7211 96A Ave
Edmonton, AB T6B 1B5
(780) 466 - 3312
[email protected]
Office Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:15am-3:30pm
Store Hours
By Appt Only:[email protected]
The WISE Charter School respectfully acknowledges that we are located in Amiskwacîwâskahikan, or Edmonton, on Treaty 6 territory. The land that the WISE sits on was once Métis scrip land. Scrip was given to Métis people in exchange for their land rights. The land of Treaty 6 territory was once a gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples, including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/ Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant communities. Our faculty, staff, board and school community commits to working toward reconciliation and decolonization.
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