Lottery · Grade 7 entry
STEM Innovation Academy: how to apply for 2027
Southwest Junior High · Grades 7–9 · City-wide, No Catchment · verified 2026-09-11
Closes Dec 18 Lottery STEM Calgary South West
The short answer
For Grade 7, apply online by December 18, 2026 for the general lottery, drawn the week of January 11. Siblings of current students have an earlier sibling lottery for 10% of the seats, closing November 30. Grades 8 and 9 apply by January 31, 2027. No testing, and later applications join further draws as seats open. Junior-high applicants apply to one location only: this one or Northwest.
The facts
| Admits by | Lottery |
|---|---|
| Application window | Grade 7: siblings apply by Nov 30, everyone else by Dec 18, 2026. Grades 8–9: by Jan 31, 2027 |
| Decision | Sibling draw week of Dec 7; general draw week of Jan 11; Grades 8–9 week of Feb 8 |
| Seats | Seat count varies by grade |
| Requirements | No entrance testing. Proof of age and address at registration. |
| Waitlist | Reapply annually |
| Sibling priority | Yes — for Grades 7 and 10 only |
| Fees | Tuition-free; activity fees |
| Busing | Yes, fee |
Where it is
1204 96 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2V 0Y1(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Loads a street map from OpenStreetMap.
Questions parents ask about STEM IA SW
How do you get into STEM Innovation Academy?
A random draw among applications received in a fixed window. Grade 7: siblings apply by Nov 30, everyone else by Dec 18, 2026. Grades 8–9: by Jan 31, 2027.
When is the application deadline?
Dec 18. Sibling draw week of Dec 7; general draw week of Jan 11; Grades 8–9 week of Feb 8.
Is there a test, interview or audition?
No entrance testing. Proof of age and address at registration.
How many seats are there, and is there a waitlist?
Seat count varies by grade. Waitlist: reapply annually. Sibling priority: yes — for grades 7 and 10 only.
What does it cost, and is there busing?
Tuition-free; activity fees. Busing: yes, fee.
What is the CBE equivalent?
Zoned junior high — CBE programs admit through the Calgary Board of Education, not a city-wide lottery.