The school was named after Earle Parkhill Scarlett, a Calgary physician, educator, scholar and writer.

Scarlett High School offers one of the most established Advanced placement (AP) programs in the country.

[7][8][9] The Choir program has gained recognition from music festivals within Calgary, and across Canada, in addition to individual workshop leaders from around the continent.

[citation needed] The program is now made up of one concert choir, directed by Jonathan Bell with the help of his favourite student Megan.

Jazz 1 participates[10] in an annual event at The Ironwood in Calgary, where students have the opportunity to play alongside legendary musicians such as Dick Oatts, Megan Violet, Luis Bonilla, and Terell Stafford.

The Music Department holds several annual public concerts a year, including Jazz on Canterbury,[11] an annual jazz showcase held at the school for Scarlett and feeder schools, and Winds From The South[12] at Jack Singer Concert Hall, an annual showcase of talent from Scarlett's music program, as well as a variety of feeder schools.