The Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association

The Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association (ACSTA) is a nonprofit organization that represents Catholic school trustees in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon. Founded in 1966, ACSTA serves as a provincial voice advocating for the interests and faith-based values of Catholic education within these jurisdictions.

History and Background

ACSTA originated from the Alberta Catholic Education Association established in 1946. In 1958, with the endorsement of the Bishops of Alberta, Catholic trustees convened to form a provincial association aimed at addressing Catholic concerns related to education. Initially functioning as a Catholic zone within the Alberta School Trustees’ Association (now the Alberta School Boards Association), the ACSTA became an independent incorporated entity on May 19, 1966. Since its inception, the organization has played a vital role in advocating for Catholic education and supporting trustees in their governance responsibilities.

Mission and Activities

The primary mission of ACSTA is to advocate for Catholic education and support trustees in fulfilling their roles effectively. The association provides faith formation opportunities, governance training, and resources to help trustees maintain and promote the Catholic identity in schools. It actively collaborates with school boards to strengthen Catholic education across Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.

ACSTA also organizes events such as symposiums focused on the role of Catholic trustees in education and faith governance. For example, in 2024, the association hosted a symposium on teacher faith formation, underlining the importance of educators in preserving the Catholic identity of schools. ACSTA gathers data and insights from such events to inform the development of guiding frameworks for Catholic school boards.

The organization plays a key role in electoral education by publishing updated handbooks and brochures to guide individuals interested in running for trustee positions within Catholic school boards. These publications cover the history of Catholic schools, the responsibilities of trustees, legal requirements, and the election process, helping ensure informed participation in school governance.

Governance and Membership

ACSTA represents trustees from 24 Catholic school boards overseeing approximately 438 K–12 schools serving nearly 180,000 students. Its members include elected trustees who act as advocates for quality academic and spiritual education within their communities. Trustees engage with community stakeholders, serve as strategic governors, and liaise between the public, government, and school systems.

Funding

The Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association is fully funded, enabling it to carry out its advocacy, educational, and faith formation activities without financial constraints.

Recent Initiatives and Recognition

ACSTA continues to be active in supporting Catholic education and its community of trustees. Recent initiatives include awarding scholarships such as the Justice Kevin Feehan Scholarship to students pursuing education degrees, organizing tours like the Flying Fathers’ Alberta visit to inspire students, and commemorating influential figures in Catholic education, such as the late Bishop Fred Henry.

The organization also adapts longstanding traditions like Catholic Education Week to evolving circumstances, having scheduled a shift from May to fall observances starting in 2024.

See Also

• Catholic Education in Alberta
• School Boards in Canada
• Faith-based Education Associations

References

• Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association official communications and event reports
• Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association member highlights
• Public resources on Catholic school governance in Alberta