I've had plenty of conversations with parents moving to Glencairn, and they're drawn here for the same reasons: the schools are solid, there's green space everywhere, and you're minutes from shopping and services. The homes here—mostly bungalows, bi-levels, and some newer infills—are priced in the $220K to $350K range, which means your money actually goes further. That matters when you're juggling mortgage payments, hockey fees, and school supplies.
Let me walk you through what families actually need to know about raising kids in Glencairn.
Elementary Schools
St. Theresa School is the Catholic option and it's right here in the neighbourhood—literally in the Glencairn Village subdivision. It serves kids from Pre-K through Grade 8, so you're looking at a 13-year journey with one school if you choose the Catholic system. The school has around 395 students, which keeps things manageable without feeling tiny. They focus on faith-based education, so if that aligns with your family's values, it's a natural fit. Parents I've talked to appreciate the community feel and the fact that their kids can walk or bike there.
Glen Elm Community School is your public elementary option, also K–8. It's nearby at 1225 9th Ave E, so you've got two solid choices within the neighbourhood depending on whether you're leaning Catholic or public. Both schools have that established neighbourhood vibe—they're not brand new, but they're not struggling either. The catchment areas are pretty straightforward here, so no major surprises when you're registering.
Neither school offers French Immersion directly in Glencairn, but if that's important to your family, the city's got citywide options you can access. It's not ideal if you want to stay local, but it's good to know your choices aren't limited.
High Schools
When your kids finish Grade 8, they'll have two main options: Campbell Collegiate (public) and Archbishop M.C. O'Neill (Catholic). Both are accessible from Glencairn—you're not looking at a crazy commute. Campbell's got a solid reputation for academics and athletics, and Archbishop M.C. O'Neill carries on the Catholic education path if that's what your family's chosen.
Athletics matter to a lot of families, and both schools field competitive teams. You'll want to check their sports programs directly because they do change, but from what I've seen, families here aren't struggling to find their kids' sports.
The commute from Glencairn is pretty reasonable to either school, so you won't be driving halfway across the city. That's one of the perks of this neighbourhood's location in east Regina.
Childcare and Early Learning
Glencairn Preschool is on Dewdney Avenue East, about 1.4 km from the neighbourhood—close enough that it's not a big production getting there. If you've got younger kids, licensed childcare spots in Regina can have waitlists, so I always tell parents to register early. The demand's real, and if you've got a specific facility in mind, you'll want to get on that list as soon as you know you're moving.
There are other daycare options throughout east Regina, so you're not locked into one provider. No rush, no pressure—just plan ahead because spots do fill up, especially in established neighbourhoods like this one.
Family-Friendly Features
Glencairn's got parks and green space throughout—you'll notice the mature trees right away. That's not something every newer neighbourhood can say. There are playgrounds scattered around, and families tell me they appreciate the quiet residential streets for bike riding and just letting kids roam a bit safely.
You're close to Eastgate commercial area, so running errands with kids isn't a production—grocery stores, pharmacies, and quick services are right there. That might sound like a small thing, but when you're managing school drop-offs and activities, proximity matters.
Safety-wise, Glencairn's a solid neighbourhood. It's established, it's residential, and you get that community feel where people know their neighbours. That's not guaranteed anywhere, but it's what I'm hearing from families here.
What Parents Should Know
Here's the honest part: verify the catchment boundaries with the school division directly. I know it sounds basic, but some properties are right on the edge, and you want to be 100% sure before you make an offer. A quick call to Regina Public Schools or Regina Catholic Schools takes five minutes and saves headaches later.
Registration typically happens in the spring for the fall school year. If you're moving mid-year, the schools will work with you, but earlier registration gets you sorted faster. Bring proof of residency and your kid's birth certificate—it's standard stuff.
The limitation here is that Glencairn doesn't have every specialized program you might want—French Immersion means a citywide commute, and if your child's got specific learning needs, you'll want to talk to the schools about what they can support. That's not unique to Glencairn, but it's worth asking about before you commit.
One more thing: Glencairn's an established neighbourhood, which means you're not getting brand-new schools with the latest everything. What you're getting is schools with history, community relationships, and stability. I'll give you all the options, but most families find that's a fair trade-off when you're paying $280K instead of $450K for your home.
If you're seriously looking at Glencairn, I'd love to help you find the right fit. No rush, no pressure—just let me know what matters most to your family, and we'll figure out if this neighbourhood's the move for you. Check out what's available on the market, or read more about what it's like living in Glencairn. And if you're weighing Glencairn against nearby options, Parkridge is worth a look too.
