All-boys public program to open next year

The public school board in Calgary is going to open an all-boys elementary school program in time for the next academic year, officials said on Thursday.

In recent public consultations, more than 200 parents expressed a desire for a school that is just for boys, said Calgary Board of Education's Chief Superintendent Naomi Johnson.

"We are dedicated to teaching students how they learn best. Our commitment to personalized learning drives innovation and alternative programs," she said in a written release. 

A location for the program — to be housed within existing board facilities — will be announced within the next few weeks, officials said.

Sacred Heart School, a Catholic elementary school in southwest Calgary, split up classes between boys and girls last September.