Walk Zone Map:
Not Available
Email:
Phone: (403)
274-2240
Fax: (403)
777-7669
School Hours: AM:
9:00
~
PM:
~
3:40
School Location
6620 - 4 Street N.W.
Calgary
,
AB
T2K 1C2
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John G. Diefenbaker High School is located in the northwest community of Huntington Hills, serving the communities of Beddington Heights, Greenview (north of McKnight Boulevard), Harvest Hills, Huntington Hills, Panorama Hills and certain sections of Thorncliffe (north of McKnight Boulevard, Simons Road and Egerts Park). The feeder junior high schools to John G. Diefenbaker High School are Colonel Irvine, Georges P. Vanier, and Sir John A. Macdonald.
About the School
The school was built in 1971 and is situated on 14.64 acres. Our building is unconventional in its design and includes individual classrooms, large open areas, small conference rooms, and a variety of specialized program offerings to take full advantage of the unique spaces available. The original part of the building opened in 1971. In 1990, an addition was made on the southeast corner to add a second gymnasium, science and math classrooms, and the Mall area. A space enclosed under the gymnasium in 1990 allowed for relocation of the communications technology room. The school has 43 classrooms, 2 gymnasiums, 3 computer labs, and many independent computer workstations for student use, all of which are networked through the central hub. The school also has a music room, a newly developed drama facility, home economics, industrial arts labs, and a library. We are a culturally diverse school with 40 different languages being spoken in student's homes.
About School Name
John G. Diefenbaker High School was officially opened in February 1972 by the Right Honorable John G. Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th Prime Minister, for whom the school is named. First elected Prime Minister in 1957, Diefenbaker served until 1963. One of Diefenbaker's most cherished achievements was the Canadian Bill of Rights. A Diefenbaker quotation from the Parliamentary debates about the Bill appears on our gymnasium wall, "I am a Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind."
Who Are We?
We are a learning community guided by a three- to four-year school plan which focuses our efforts and helps us to recognize our opportunities. The plan was developed in the fall of 1995 by the whole staff with input gathered from achievement results, JDG comprehensive school health survey of parents, students, and staff, and a 1994 Calgary Board of Education parent survey.
The plan involves initiatives in the following areas:
1. Effective intervention for high risk students
ESL Levels 2 through 5
Work experience
Literacy development for Grade 10's reading below grade level
2. Focus on success and promotion of excellence
Attendance and lates policy
Honors/International Baccalaureate program
Diploma exam night for parents and students in humanities and school-wide exam blueprinting
Comprehensive academic, athletic and citizenship awards program, Honor Society and Fine Arts.
3. Program delivery
Extended timetable with an early morning time slot to reduce timetable conflict
Updated technology plan and integration of more technology for teaching and learning
Saturday Chinese Academy (K-12) for language and cultural instruction (Grade 10 - 12 credit courses
4. Teacher development
All staff members have Teacher Professional Growth Plans
Balanced comprehensive co-curricular and extra-curricular programs.
School Mission
Mission Statement
As a learning community, we promote excellence, provide opportunity and value diversity.
Beliefs
Students have a right to a meaningful education that will enable them to make a positive contribution to society.
Education extends beyond the classroom; learning is a lifelong process in which students, parents, teachers and the community are all supportive participants.
Learners have the right to access resources to help them achieve excellence.
Programming and instruction must acknowledge the diverse learning styles and needs of our students.
Learning is enhanced when:
a safe and secure learning environment exists
high expectations are shared
positive relationships are nurtured
measured risk-taking is encouraged
a climate of inquiry is fostered
support and encouragement are given
standards of accountability and professionalism are met.
Vision
Positive relationships grounded in mutual respect are the basis from which we work with students to prepare them for full participation within our democratic society. To this end, we envision a school community where we:
Engage students with a variety of individual and collective learning opportunities that allow them to realize their full potential academically, creatively, physically, aesthetically, socially, emotionally and ethically.
Teach students to use learning technologies that will enable them to contribute to their changing world.
Foster attitudes that help our students to be flexible and responsive to change, to take ownership of their own learning, to think independently and to recognize the value of life-long learning.
Promote partnerships among students, teachers, parents, and community that support meaningful education.
Recognize and celebrate students’ curricular and co-curricular achievements.
Purpose
Our beliefs fuel our vision, and our purpose is the way we work toward our vision every day.
In partnership with students, parents, and the community, teachers are committed to personal and professional growth by being reflective practitioners, academics, and active participants in school life.
Teachers at John G. Diefenbaker:
are caring and enthusiastic role models
provide opportunities for creativity, independent thought, and risk-taking
provide access, tools, and technology for differentiated learning
provide continuous and timely feedback to students and parents
are committed to delivering a wide range of programs
encourage positive attitudes and motivate students
accommodate students’ learning styles, abilities, and life issues
provide meaningful and relevant learning opportunities
provide a safe climate that promotes success
set high expectations for themselves and others
As partners in learning, students are willing participants who accept responsibility for working toward their own success. Students deserve respect and, in kind, are obliged to approach teachers, their peers, and the school environment, with an attitude of courtesy and open-mindedness.
Students at John G. Diefenbaker:
contribute to other’s learning
accept others as individuals and respect their differences
are active and reflective learners who value learning
understand and support responsible limits and challenge injustices
promote just treatment of others
value school and community property
strive for personal excellence
As partners in learning, parents are children’s first teachers and role models. Parents recognize the value and priority of their children’s education, and they actively contribute to their children’s success.
Parents at John G. Diefenbaker:
are aware of and concerned with their children’s academic progress and personal growth
are willing to work with teachers in the best interests of their children
participate, when possible, in school activities and events
support school policies.
As a school community, we create the conditions for meaningful education for students, we celebrate achievement and excellence, and we use appropriate mechanisms for solving problems.
School Motto
Freedom, Choice, Responsibility
Unique Points
Student Enrolment
(September
2009
) Total Enrolment:
1453
