The single biggest factor for families determining their new home is the school system. There are so many educational choices in Calgary that community boundaries are not usually an issue. If you want a public elementary school that your kids can easily walk to, then specific communities can be isolated based on that criteria. If you have kids that might be in different levels of school (example elementary and junior high), or a child that prefers french immersion, sports programs or science/inquiry-based learning, then the community you live in is more personal preference as your children will be bussed to your chosen school. The Fraser Institute puts out an annual ranking system of schools in Alberta. Worth checking out, but be sure to look beyond student test results.
There are many great public schools in Calgary and all are managed by the Calgary Board of Education. The CBE offers many specialty and alternative schools as well for everything from exceptional and special needs, giftedness, and autism to science-based learning, arts (fine arts and performing arts), immersion programs in many different languages and sports programs. The impressive list of options for all levels of schooling is so extensive it is worth as much consideration as your home search. Here are a few points to consider:
The Calgary Catholic School District governs the Catholic schools in Calgary from kindergarten to grade 12. They also offer a variety of specialty and alternative programs that include catholicism in the curriculum. Bussing is also offered to students outside the school's immediate community.
If the public and Catholic school boards do not offer what you need, you have even more choices with the many charter and private schools Calgary has to offer. Read more at Live in Calgary. Charter schools have a very modest registration fee that is very affordable. Bus transportation is offered for an additional cost. Like all schools, they follow the Alberta curriculum but with an additional mandate (all girls, science, gifted learning).
Private schools have tuition fees that require a significant investment but cover a variety of educational specialties, some in combination. While there is a high concentration of private schools in the southwest quadrant, there are a good mix in other areas of the city as well, expanding your housing options.