FAQ

You’ll find below the answers to some of the more common questions parents and students have asked us about LYNX. If we haven’t addressed your query on this page, use the Contact LYNX button to reach out to us and we will phone or email you with our response.

What Program Choices are there for LYNX Grades 1 - 9

In conjunction with our sister school ursa, LYNX offers three programming choices for our elementary and junior high students.

1. Fully Teacher Directed Program – Online, Onsite Mornings: On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, parents transport students to our Third Schools West Campus at 3311 49 St SW Calgary. There students attend their morning online classes onsite while supervised and provided with additional support by our educators. Transportation is provided by school bus to the student’s Calgary outdoor nature classroom. Parents transport their student home at the end of class. On Wednesday mornings, teacher directed programming is delivered at the Third Schools East Campus located at 400 Prince of Peace Way, Rocky View County. Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from this location.

2. Fully Teacher Directed Program – Online, Home Mornings: On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, students attend their morning online classes onsite at home. Parents arrange transportation to and from the student’s Calgary, Cochrane or Okotoks outdoor nature classroom. On Wednesday mornings, teacher directed programming is delivered at the Third Schools East Campus located at 400 Prince of Peace Way, Rocky View County. Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from this location.

3. Shared Responsibility Program – Parents choosing this option are assisted by one of ursa’s skilled Home Education Managers in providing the Parent Directed component of their student’s program. Parents transport students Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to their Calgary, Cochrane or Okotoks outdoor nature classroom. The nature classroom component of the program is Teacher Directed. As well, Shared Responsibility students may participate in Teacher Directed programming Wednesday mornings at the Third Schools East Campus located at 400 Prince of Peace Way, Rocky View County.

What does LYNX charge for tuition?

Tuition for the LYNX Grades 1-9 2024-2025 School Year is $7,000 for onsite, online and $4,200 for online or a Shared Responsibility program. Arrangements can be made to pay fees by instalments and bursaries are available for families unable to afford our published tuition fees.

What do the kids do when it is too cold to be outside?

LYNX takes the wellbeing of our students and staff very seriously. Students learn how to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and our staff monitors their compliance. In the event of extreme conditions, our afternoon classrooms are  relocated to an indoor location – often a library, recreation centre, or other public facility or, in very unusual situations, students are provided activities to complete in the safety of their homes.

What times and days of the week do LYNX students attend their outdoor classroom?

LYNX students, Grades 1-9, attend their assigned “outdoor classroom” on scheduled school days Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:00pm to 3:30pm. Unless registered for our Calgary online, onsite program in Calgary, parents drop off their children at the designated location at noon and pickup them at 3:30pm. Online, onsite students are transported to the Calgary outdoor classroom by school bus.

Where are the Outdoor Classrooms for LYNX Grades 1-9?

The spectacular river valleys in Calgary, Cochrane, Okotoks feature natural, wetland areas that are highly suitable for our afternoon outdoor LYNX classrooms. Parents are notified of the meeting times and locations for student drop off and pickup.

What subjects are taught in the outdoor classrooms?

LYNX students learn in their outdoor classroom Science, Social Studies, Physical Education and Health, Environmental Education, and Wilderness skills. An emphasis is also placed on Personal Development and Leadership Skills.

What do LYNX Grades 1-9 students do on Wednesdays?

On Wednesday mornings, we offer Art, Music, and Physical Literacy onsite for our grade 1-9 students, as well as Food for students in Grades 7-9. These classes are held at our Third Schools East Campus. All LYNX  students are off Wednesday afternoons.

I work during the day. How do I transport my students to and from school?

Our families are creative and find ways to get their children to and from their homes and classrooms. Some families carpool. Depending on the location, school bus service may be available for our Calgary online online students. Talk to us and we likely will be able find a solution for your transportation needs.

How will I know if LYNX will be a good fit for my child?

Talk to us about scheduling a trial afternoon for your child in our outdoor classroom.

Does LYNX accept students with special educational needs?

Yes. As a member of the Third Schools family, LYNX has been working with children with special needs for almost 30 years. Many special needs students flourish in our outdoor classrooms. Our LYNX students are active, engaged, and healthy. Talk to us about your child’s diagnosis and we will assist you in determining if LYNX is a good fit for your child.

Isn't engaging in risky outdoor activities dangerous?

The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) encourages parents to allow their children to engage in what they define as “risky play”, recognizing that these activities are necessary for healthy child development. Managing risks is very different than placing children situations where they are exposed to uncontrolled hazards. For more information on risky play, read the CPS’s position statement “Healthy childhood development through outdoor risky play: Navigating the balance with injury prevention”.

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