The Fraser Institute recently released it’s take on Alberta Schools based on 2006-07 provincial testing results.

You can look up any school by name in their database and see it’s report card. It’s a great tool for checking on neighbourhoods you are considering moving to.

Look up an Elementary School:
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/reportcards/schoolperformance/schoolfinder.aspx?prov=AB&lv=E&l=A

Look up a High School:
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/reportcards/schoolperformance/schoolfinder.aspx?prov=AB&lv=S&l=A

The database includes, public, seperate and private schools.

The Fraser Institute uses Grades 3 and 6 test results to grade elementary schools, and uses diploma examination results, grade-to-grade transition rates, and graduation rates to grade high schools.

The Institute itself urges parents not to put too much emphasis on the last year’s score or ranking, and I agree. Look at the last 5 years scores to get a more accurate picture. Also the Institute uses arrows (up or down) in the right-most column to indicate trends (if any) in the school’s performance over 5 years - that can be more useful than just the last year’s ranking or score.

- Andrew