A Message from the Head of School
As experts in early childhood education, we know that the root of student success lies within a strong foundation of purposeful exploration, creation, play, and connection. We nurture our young learners to participate in, learn about, and actively make sense of the world around them, and we do so by prioritizing structured and unstructured indoor and outdoor play, developing relationships, and celebrating curiosity. Our highly qualified educators engage with students through adaptive, inquiry-based and hands-on learning experiences; laying the groundwork for future success in elementary school and beyond.
River Valley School is an independent school offering an exceptional, one-of-a-kind early childhood and elementary school experience from Pre-JK (Age 3) to Grade 6. We are a growing school of approximately 270 students situated in a beautiful riverside campus on the banks of the Bow River, in the heart of northwest Calgary. Our school community deeply values the benefits of relationship-based and cross-curricular opportunities to learn.
Student achievement and student engagement is carried out through varied learning opportunities, hands-on exploration, collaboration, developing independence and differentiation in our instruction. We provide for the intellectual, social/emotional, and physical development of each student. Beyond the enriched core subjects, River Valley School also offers a robust offering of specialist programs including Art, Drama, Music, French Language, Outdoor Education, Physical Education and Library, starting as early as age 3.
As a community, we learn and grow together respecting the values, opinions and beliefs of all students, teachers, administrators, and our parents. We work together in close partnerships to create a school where learners feel known, safe, confident, and free to appreciate each other, make good ethical decisions, and take age- and stage- appropriate risks, leading to enhanced understanding and broadened inquiry. Within our supportive climate, students become joyful, passionate learners and know they are safe to try new things, make mistakes, discover new approaches, and explore innovative ways of seeing, contributing to and changing the world. We invite you to visit our campus to learn about our outstanding programs.
Kind regards,
Carolyn Breland
Head of School
Meet Carolyn Breland
Carolyn Breland joined River Valley School (RVS) in July 2019, bringing nearly three decades of distinguished experience as a school administrator and teacher in Alberta and British Columbia.
With a Baccalauréat en éducation from the Faculté St. Jean, University of Alberta, a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC, and a Masters Certificate in Marketing and Communications Leadership from the Schulich School of Business, York University, Carolyn is not only a devoted educator but also a lifelong learner. Her academic journey reflects her commitment to continuous improvement and her passion for fostering educational excellence.
Throughout her career, Carolyn has been a pivotal member of senior leadership teams in four independent schools, where she has played an instrumental role in driving their development and success. Her expertise spans strategic planning, curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and community engagement.
Since joining River Valley School, Carolyn has demonstrated unwavering leadership. One of Carolyn’s most significant achievements at RVS has been spearheading the acquisition of the 3127 Bowwood Drive campus in 2021. This milestone marked a new chapter for the school, securing a permanent home that aligns with its vision for the future.
Carolyn’s leadership has been instrumental in elevating River Valley School’s reputation as one of Calgary’s premier educational institutions for Pre-Junior Kindergarten to Grade Six. She is celebrated for her professional and kind leadership, creating a positive and supportive environment for both staff and families. Her thoughtful approach to leadership fosters a sense of trust and mutual respect within the school community. Carolyn’s ability to lead with both strength and compassion has solidified her role as a respected figure at River Valley School, where her dedication is evident in every decision she makes and every relationship she nurtures.