The story of Edge School is one of inspiration and evolution. From the early concept of our founders, who envisioned a school where student-athletes could thrive, through the various stages in our growth and development, the steps that we have taken as a school have been made alongside those of our students and families.
Take the Stachiw family, for example. Three of four Stachiw brothers attended Edge School over more than a decade, from 2001 to 2014. First, there was Tom (Class of 2007). He was followed by Chris (Class of 2010), and then Pat (Class of 2014).
Tom began at Edge in 2001 in grade seven, choosing Edge for the small class sizes, the personal attention from teachers and coaches, and based on his passion for hockey. His Edge School experience reflects the early days of Edge, when we were still located at Calgary Academy and the Calgary French and International School (CFIS). Tom’s path took him to junior hockey, including time with the Calgary Royals and Canmore Eagles. Recruited to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Tom completed his degree and returned to Calgary in 2014. He was married in 2015. Now working as an Investment Advisor with McLean and Partners, Tom is still connected with many of his Edge classmates. For example, he looks forward to Tommy Adair’s (Class of 2007) annual ugly Christmas sweater party in Calgary each year. As part of the downtown business community, Tom often bumps into fellow Edge alumni in the Plus 15 and sees a growing professional network of Edge graduates.
Chris Stachiw graduated from Edge School in 2010. He explains that his hockey experience at Edge was similar to Tom’s, where the Varsity team would play a schedule heavily weighted with tournament and exhibition games. However, Chris also attended the School during a significant growth and transition period. After attending his first two years at CFIS, Chris had the opportunity to finish high school at the new campus, which opened in 2008. After graduating from Edge, Chris played in the AJHL for four years with Canmore and Olds, then attended school in Vermont for one year. He is currently completing his final year at Dalhousie University in Halifax and will graduate with his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2018. Chris plans to return to Calgary and has his sights set on law school.
Pat Stachiw is a 2014 Edge School graduate. Like his brothers, Pat was a hockey player. Unlike his brothers, all of Pat’s time at Edge was in the current facility. Another notable difference was the nature of the hockey landscape for Pat. Since 2010, the hockey program has become much more integrated with the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, providing a more regular league schedule. Like many recent high school graduates, Pat has been finding his way over the past few years. He has attended university on both sides of the country, first at the University of Victoria and then at St. FX in Nova Scotia. He is now back home in Calgary and attends Mount Royal University. He is enjoying MRU and compares its small class sizes and community feel to the Edge School environment. Pat plans to study Criminal Justice at MRU and pursue a career in Calgary.
Together, the Stachiw brothers reflect the evolution of Edge School. Tom attended Edge in its formative years, among the group of early adopters who embraced the School and helped build its culture. As Chris and Pat followed, the seeds that were planted, not only by teachers, coaches and staff, but also by our students and families, have grown to create a strong culture that thrives today.
Our students and alumni have had – and continue to have – a remarkable opportunity to learn and develop in an environment that is built on a strong set of values and grounded in a passion for sport. As Tom explains, “when you meet someone in business, you can tell in the first five minutes whether they have been a member of a sports team.” The Edge culture of personal excellence in academics, athletics and character builds future leaders. Alumni are the face of Edge School and the true measure of our success and we look forward to telling more of your stories and staying connected as you take the next steps in your lives and careers.