The author provides a comprehensive overview of trends in private school growth and enrollments, and defines the issues surrounding the controversy between private and public schools in Alberta, Canada. Statistical information about numbers of private schools in Alberta, their funding, and the makeup of their students was obtained from Alberta provincial studies; views regarding private schools were also obtained through questionnaires sent to 42 private schools, 61 parents of private-school students, and 54 public school boards in Alberta. Statistics show that the number of private schools increased during 1978-81, as did the number of private-school students. The increase was caused by religiously oriented private schools, which increased their enrollments over 60 percent from 1976 to 1983. Private-school parents reported that they enrolled their children for more Christian education than could be found in public schools. Responses from public school boards indicate that they generally accept the existence of private schools as a politial reality but note a potential problem in continuing sufficient funding of public schools while private schools are also receiving government grants. (JW)