City Hall School
City Hall School
Citizenship and municipal governance come alive at City Hall School as students and teachers spend a week at the municipal building.
City Hall School is a week-long, custom designed educational program for all Calgary students in grades 3-12, delivered in partnership with Open Minds Calgary.
Why participate in City Hall School?
- Meet your teaching curriculum expectations through creating meaningful connections to the real world.
- Provide your class the chance to participate in the public realm, while becoming more informed and engaged citizens.
- Interact with City of Calgary employees and Council members, learning more about City services, municipal governance and what it means to be a Calgarian.
- Engage with experts in the community, who work to make a positive difference in Calgary each day.
How City Hall School works
Each week is rich with possibilities for innovative learning opportunities. For example, students could:
- Develop a community for the future with the help of City of Calgary planners.
- Explore environmental stewardship with support from Water Services or Waste and Recycling.
- Discover career opportunities through Human Resources and the Youth Employment Centre.
- Learn to slow down by appreciating works from the Civic Art Collection or a heritage building on Stephen Avenue.
- Examine community dynamics and social supports with Recreation and Social programs.
Teacher workshops
We offer eight workshops for participating teachers throughout the year to help plan your week at City Hall. We also explore how to incorporate your learnings from City Hall School to the rest of the school year. We strongly encourage you to attend if accepted into the program.
How to apply
Open Minds Calgary
City Hall School is one of the 15 program options developed in partnership with Open Minds Calgary.
Open Minds Calgary provides authentic learning experiences to transform teaching and learning by increasing engagement through community, funder, and educational partnerships.
You can apply to City Hall School through our partner Open Minds Calgary.
Check the “Apply" page for updates on dates and full application details.
Important deadlines
| Session | Deadline date |
|---|---|
| Session: Information Sessions at Teacher’s Conventions | Deadline date: February 2027 |
| Session: Applications open for City Hall School | Deadline date: March 2027 |
| Session: Applications due for City Hall School 2027 – 2028 school year | Deadline date: May 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades can participate in City Hall School?
Grades 3 – 12 can participate in City Hall School.
Where is City Hall School located?
City Hall School takes place in the Calgary Municipal Building, with daily activities throughout the downtown area.
How much does City Hall School cost?
- Calgary Board Education & Calgary Catholic School District: $1500 per class
- Independent schools: $1800 per class
- Cost includes bus transportation
Do I need to organize transportation for my students?
No, once accepted into the program, City Hall School will organize transport through Calgary Transit.
How can my child participate in City Hall School?
If you are a parent interested in your child attending City Hall School, please share this information with your teacher. City Hall School applications must be submitted through your child’s school.
Who is Open Minds Calgary?
Open Minds Calgary is an innovative curriculum-based program that moves the classroom into the community for an entire week, coordinated by the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District.
The City of Calgary partners with Open Minds Calgary to deliver the City Hall School and City EcoAction program.