About third Academy
Third Academy: It’s Special Needs Education, Your Child’s Way
We create a well-balanced, individualized, integrated, and intensive program for each student, designed to prepare them for re-entry into their community school as quickly as possible.
Students with special needs require an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) that builds upon their strengths, while remediating or compensating for their learning disorder. Lesson content responds to the needs of each student while adhering to the Alberta Education program of studies.
Central to Third Academy’s programming is an emphasis on Personal Development. Personal Development looks to ‘heal the heart’. That is to say, we must first deal with underlying emotional issues that stop the student from learning. By changing the way a student ‘thinks’ and ‘feels’ about themselves, we are able to change the way they ‘act’.
There are many teaching strategies/methodologies that have a positive impact on student learning. The choice of which strategies/methodologies to use is dependant upon what works best for the individual learner. In that way, the program is customized. The teacher determines – in collaboration with the student and parents – which strategies/methodologies to use. Then, the teacher does ‘whatever it takes’ to meet the student’s needs. With excellent teachers, our students get the instruction they need. This is why we say: ‘Ultimately, the teacher is the program’.
Our Students
Our program serves students 5-19 years of age who fit the Alberta Education criterion of special education needs. Specifically, our students have been assessed as having mild, moderate, or severe disabilities or disorders. These could be learning disabilities, socio-emotional difficulties, or both.
They are of average to above average intelligence, achieve significantly below their grade level, but have the potential to improve their academic performance. Our students typically may exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
- Reading, Writing, Spelling and/or Mathematics problems.
- Lack of organizational, time-management, and planning skills.
- Lack of study skills resulting in incomplete assignments and poor exam performance.
- Unable to stay on task due to attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorders.
- Low self-esteem and confidence.
- Inappropriate behaviours due to frustrations caused by an inability to succeed in an educational environment where traditional approaches are used.
- Labeled as lazy or unmotivated.
- May be diagnosed with or exhibit characteristics associated with learning disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, (ASD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD), Tourette’s Syndrome, Depression, Anxieties, and others.
- Behavioural patterns caused by physical, emotional, and other abuse.
Two Schools – One Campus
Third Academy Elementary
K and Grades 1-6
400 Prince of Peace Way Calgary (Rocky View County), AB T1X 1G2
Student-Teacher ratio:
K-3 6:1 | 4-6 8:1
Ancillary support: Psychology, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy
Third Academy Junior/Senior High
Grades 7-12
400 Prince of Peace Way Calgary (Rocky View County), AB T1X 1G2
Student-Teacher ratio:
Junior High 10:1 | Senior High 12:1
Ancillary support: Psychology, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy
Principal’s Message
Student success is the vision that drives us at Third Academy.
We achieve this by healing the heart to educate the mind. This philosophy is central to our Personal Development programming. We believe that to unlock learning, we must first address the underlying emotional issues that create barriers.
By guiding students to change how they think and feel about themselves and their capabilities, we empower them to fundamentally change their actions.
This mission is carried out by our dedicated team of professionals—including teachers, psychologists, SLP/OT therapists, and our entire support staff. Together, we provide a safe, compassionate environment that nurtures the whole child: mentally, emotionally, and physically.
We recognize that no two students learn alike. That’s why we honour each child’s unique journey with individualized, well-balanced programming. Our approach blends proven academic instruction with targeted therapeutic strategies, ensuring we have the flexibility to teach what students need, the way they need it.
This transformative process builds lasting confidence and a true sense of self-worth, empowering our students to achieve success both here and long after they leave our halls.
Rehana Mattu, Principal
History of Third Academy
Third Academy was founded by Dr. S. Lal Mattu. He is an experienced educator and administrator who has worked in public education for over forty years. Dr S. Lal Mattu holds a BSc, MEd, PhD (Educational Psychology), Diploma in Early Childhood Education, and was also a Registered Psychologist before retiring. His primary responsibilities, while school Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent in various school jurisdictions in Alberta and British Columbia have been threefold: human resources, program development, and special education needs.
Dr. S. Lal Mattu’s dream to open a special needs school grew out of having witnessed countless children “fall through the cracks” in the conventional school system. For whatever reason, many students were simply not succeeding. What these students needed was a different kind of school.
On September 1st, 1997, Dr. S. Lal Mattu’s dream was realized when the doors of the first Third Academy campus were opened in Calgary.
Third Academy is a fully-accredited, designated special education private school by Alberta Education.
Come have a look! We are happy to share our stories and accomplishments with you as we show you around. And perhaps you too will discover that Third Academy is the best school choice for your child.