Bienvenue à / Welcome to Western Canada High School
Western Canada offers:
- French Immersion
- International Baccalaureate
- French International Baccalaureate
- Regular English Programming
Honouring its tradition of excellence, Western Canada High School prepares and empowers students to be knowledgeable, confident, lifelong learners capable of enhancing their lives and the quality of our world. The 2023-24 school year promises to be one of adventure and enlightenment. A school year is a journey that takes many different turns. One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of being in a school is that each day is so different. Todd Whittaker writes: “The excitement of starting a new school year provides opportunities to reestablish expectations and introduce changes. We’re all on our best behaviour, full of positive energy about the coming year. The start of the year is a chance to set the tone for the school.”
The staff, students, and parents of Western Canada High School will work together to set high standards of achievement in all areas of learning and activities for all students and will work collaboratively to ensure student success.
We invite you to commit to your school and to bring your best to your classes and activities. By building a culture of shared commitment, we will create a strong community of excellence. Jim Collins in his book Good to Great writes: “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.” This student handbook outlines the expectations that will successfully guide each member of the Western Canada High School Learning Community in one’s interactions and relationships with each other. Please take time to familiarize yourself with the contents and information in this handbook.
Western Canada High School Administration Team
Core Purpose
School Motto | Intellegentia, Vires, Virtus | Knowledge, Strength, Courage | la connaissance , la vigeur, le
We believe in:
- providing an environment that encourages the development of individual potential and personal responsibility;
- ensuring the respect, equality, and dignity of each individual;
- celebrating the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our school community;
- enhancing our relationships with our communities;
- consulting with stakeholders when appropriate;
- recognizing, celebrating, and fostering excellence;
- offering diverse and challenging programs;
- developing critical and creative thinking skills;
- encouraging research and innovation based on best knowledge;
- implementing technology that enhances learning and teaching;
- creating a learning climate characterized by high expectations and a strong work ethic;
- providing a safe and secure environment to ensure the well-being of our school community;
- enhancing our strong relationship between home and school.
School Name
Western Canada High School's name was taken from Western Canada College, which stood on this land from the early 1900's until the land was sold to the Calgary Board of Education in 1928. Western Canada College was a private boys' college serving Calgary and Southern Alberta.
Our Partners
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
The Western Canada High School Music Program is proud educational partners with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. We are tremendously thankful for the support of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for their support in making this educational partnership a reality.
CIBC
We are pleased to announce CIBC as our educational partner for the Career and Life Management Program
Alberta Foundation of the Arts
Our School's Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
We are committed to acknowledging and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action specific to education. Our school, along with all CBE schools, made a Truth and Reconciliation Commitment to Action, on June 21, we renewed our commitment.
View Our Truth and Reconciliation Commitment | 2025 2026
School Development Plan
Each year, our school prepares a development plan with input from teachers, school staff, students and parents. We review many sources of data, including report cards, provincial achievement test results and school surveys. Based on this information, we create our plan identifying targeted areas for growth. Our school development plan is not meant to represent all of the work that takes place in our school, but rather it focuses on specific areas for improvement.
View Our School Development Plan | 2024-2025
School Improvement Results Report
Our school also prepares a results plan, which looks at our previous school year. It shows our students’ achievement and progress in meeting the goals and outcomes as set out by the CBE and Alberta Education, outlines some of the highlights of our school development plan and gives an overview of our school. You can look on the CBE website for system-wide results.