We have been delivering the Relationship and Sexual Health Education (RSE) program in schools since 1975. RSE follows best practices guidelines and established frameworks for sexual health, relationship, and violence prevention education and is linked to the Alberta Learning Curriculum outcomes. We offer youth the opportunity to build their knowledge, skills, and motivation to make informed, healthy choices about their bodies, relationships, and sexuality.
This program is offered in partnership with schools and community-based organizations that work with youth aged 12-29.
Why Choose Us?
We are the only organization in Calgary that provides truly comprehensive sexual health information in junior and senior high schools. We’re proud to provide an evidence-based program that’s not grounded in shame or judgement.
Youth who feel ashamed of their bodies or shameful about sexuality are less likely to protect themselves from STIs and unplanned pregnancies. Research shows that the outcomes from comprehensive sexuality education are better than abstinence-based programs – meaning youth are less likely to have sex and are more likely to delay their first time and use protection when they do choose to have a sexual relationship (Kirby, 2007). We equip youth to have conversations with their partners and make responsible, informed decisions for themselves based on their own values.
We are professionals, not volunteers.
All of our sexuality educators are full-time staff at Centre for Sexuality with a passion for their work. Many of them are registered social workers or have backgrounds in health, sciences, or education, and undergo intensive long-term training in order to work in classrooms.
We talk about consent.
We think it’s critical that all youth fully understand what consent means. They need to know at what age someone can consent, whether someone can give consent under the influence of drugs and alcohol and that someone can consent and then change their mind. It’s also essential they have resources if someone has experienced sexual violence.
We talk about healthy relationships.
We understand that teen dating violence is on the rise in Canada, and are committed to offering a program that talks about the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship, while also recognizing that youth are free to make choices that are right for them. All of our curriculum ties in conversations about healthy relationships, boundaries and support for youth who need it.
We talk about bullying, homophobia, and diversity.
We think it’s critical to talk about issues like sexism, homophobia, gender roles and sexual diversity. We encourage youth to challenge stereotypes, be aware of the language they use and embrace diversity. We help them understand the true impact of bullying and prejudice. We provide tools and practice on how to be an active bystander when someone is experiencing discrimination or exclusion.
We teach media literacy skills.
Our discussions around gender roles and diversity naturally lead to a critical analysis of media. We help youth sort through and understand the media messages they’re shown every day, and give context to advertising, social media and website messages. We also talk about issues like sexting.
We provide an inclusive, trauma-informed classroom environment.
Our program has an emphasis on diversity and we recognize that youth come from all backgrounds, faiths, cultures and experiences. We deliver content that is current and relevant to youth’s lives and experiences in a non-judgmental way. We encourage youth to discuss and recognize their own values when making decisions.
We recognize the high rate of sexual abuse and assault in our communities.
Our educators are highly trained to deal with sexual assault disclosures that may happen (anonymously and not) throughout the program.
We believe everyone has the right to sexual health information.
We also offer an adapted program for PLP, ACCESS and ELL classes.
Relationship and Sexual Health Education Programs and Objectives
Program Overview
The Grade 7 / Program 1 curriculum focuses on sexual and reproductive systems. While we are all born with sexual organs, our understanding of how these body parts work and relate to our sense of sexuality is not innate. Healthy sexuality includes understanding the reproductive anatomy of people born with penises, vulvas, and intersex bodies, how bodies change during puberty, and how values and society shape our sense of self. By learning about these concerns, participants will be better able to make informed decisions around their own sexual and reproductive health. They will also practise using assertive communication to share their feelings and needs and will learn about the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Time Requirements
Program delivery requires four hours, typically delivered over four one-hour classes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Describe puberty with increased comfort and knowledge.
- Describe individual and societal values related to puberty with increased awareness.
- Critically analyze media about puberty and sexual health.
- Critically analyze media about anatomy.
- Describe human anatomy and physiology with increased comfort and understanding.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to support healthy decision-making.
- Identify and set boundaries, and negotiate and advocate for their needs.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to maintain healthy relationships on social media.
- Describe relationship rights and the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- Identify and set boundaries, and negotiate and advocate for their needs.
- Identify supportive relationships and seek the support they need.
- Identify and regulate their emotions in ways that contribute to healthy relationships.
Program Overview
The Grade 8 / Program 2 curriculum moves participants from discussions about puberty in Program 1, into exploring healthy relationships. This curriculum will explore healthy decision-making, values, and sexual and gender diversity. Participants will learn about gender norms and how gender norms can influence our relationships.
Time Requirements
Program delivery requires four hours, typically delivered over four one-hour classes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate increased knowledge and comfort about gender and sexual diversity.
- Demonstrate increased awareness of relationship rights, and describe the difference between healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships.
- Demonstrate increased awareness of individual and societal values related to sexuality.
- Demonstrate increased comfort and understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
- Demonstrate increased comfort and understanding of the components of developing a healthy self-concept and sexuality.
- Demonstrate increased knowledge about boundaries and the importance of communicating boundaries in healthy relationships.
- Demonstrate increased knowledge about consent as it applies to romantic and sexual relationships.
- Demonstrate increased knowledge and skills to support healthy decision-making.
- Identify and regulate their emotions in ways that contribute to healthy relationships.
Program Overview
The Grade 9 / Program 3 curriculum is focused on relationships and sexual health. Participants review anatomy, and learn more about birth control and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They consider their relationships rights and continue developing communication skills related to sexuality. By practising decision-making, communication, and consent, participants build skills required for creating and maintaining healthy relationships.
Time Requirements
Program delivery requires four hours, typically delivered over four one-hour classes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate increased knowledge of what constitutes teen dating violence.
- Demonstrate increased comfort and understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
- Demonstrate the knowledge to make informed choices about contraceptive use.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to engage in safer sex practices that reduce the risk of STIs.
- Demonstrate the skills needed to effectively use barriers during sexual experiences.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to critically analyze media about sexuality and sexual health.
- Determine how their values impact their relationships.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to critically analyze gender norms and their impact on relationships.
- Demonstrate increased comfort and skills to communicate about sexual health.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to practise consent.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to identify and set boundaries and negotiate and advocate for their needs.
- Demonstrate increased awareness of factors that impact consent and the skills to not cause harm.
Program Overview
The CALM / Program 4 curriculum is a dynamic exploration of the components that influence sexual health. It is intended for youth in grade 10, 11, or 12. Participants explore sexuality from a broad perspective, and they practise the skills they will need to have healthy relationships and take care of their sexual health.
The program prepares participants to engage in healthy relationships that are free from violence and coercion. It supports them in making decisions that are congruent with their personal boundaries, expands their understanding of consent, and helps them develop the skills to deal with rejection from sexual and romantic partners.
Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to develop empathy and respect for diversity, including a greater understanding of sexual orientation and gender roles in society. They explore and evaluate the impact of oppression, and what they can do to create social change and address oppression in their own ways.
Time Requirements
Program delivery requires six hours, typically delivered over four 1.5-hour classes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Identify individual and societal values related to sexuality.
- Demonstrate increased knowledge and comfort in discussing gender and sexual diversity.
- Practise basic Canadian sexual and reproductive health rights.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to support healthy decision-making.
- Identify what constitutes teen dating violence.
- Identify and regulate their emotions in ways that contribute to healthy relationships and do not cause harm to others.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to practise consent.
- Recognize when they have power and the skills to not cause harm.
- Effectively use barriers during sexual experiences.
- Critically analyze gender norms and their impact on relationships.
- Demonstrate increased awareness of societal norms, attitudes, and practices that contribute to violence.
- Demonstrate collective responsibility for safety and increased comfort and skills to act as a bystander.
Thinking of Booking an Educator?
Things to Consider:
Are their outcomes linked to Alberta Learning?
- Will they openly share their curriculum?
- Is the curriculum evidence-based?
- Where does the organization’s funding come from?
- What is the background or education of the educator? Are they volunteers?
- Does the program emphasize respect for diversity and encourage acceptance of people of various races, cultures, abilities, gender identities and sexual orientations?
- Does the program talk about consent? Do they talk about bullying?
- Do they offer a specific program for PLP, ACCESS or ELL classes?
School-based booking requests
Community-based booking requests
Our community-based Relationship and Sexual Health Education Program is available for organizations that work with youth aged 12-29. These programs are adapted to the learning needs of your group based on the learning objectives listed above. We also have custom programs for newcomers to Canada, people with disabilities, people who have experienced addiction, and people who have experienced trauma.
To learn more, or request a booking for a community-based organizations, please contact sdixon@centreforsexuality.ca.
Costs and Fees
Centre for Sexuality is a non-profit organization. We deliver the RSE program free of cost to public schools organizations in Calgary and area. However, many schools and organizations provide an honorarium to help cover our costs and continue the development of the RSE program.
We thank you for your generosity! For information on program delivery fees in private schools, please contact sdixon@centreforsexuality.ca.