Vision Statement
At Sir Wilfrid Laurier School we believe the purpose of education is to challenge all students to reach their fullest potential. We strive to promote self-discipline, commitment, independence, curiosity and life-long learning. Through an enriching and supportive academic climate, we engage with students in active and meaningful learning. The staff is dedicated to guiding students to become productive citizens, who make responsible choices, respect and value diversity, and actively participate in their school and community.
School Mission
The Traditional Learning Centre uses teacher-directed instruction and character education to foster reflective thinking, continuous learning, and responsible citizenship. It is a celebration of cultural diversity and commonly held values. The virtues-oriented school environment prepares students to meet the moral, technological, and global challenges of the 21st century.
School Philosophy
We are "together" with our parents, students, business community, and academic community in providing growth opportunities to all. Every one of us is an individual with unique talents and needs, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier is a school committed to the individual growth and improvement of all stakeholders. A major goal for the staff is to build a sense of belonging for our students. We believe in creating opportunities for our students to achieve mastery in a variety of ways.
Our Guiding Principles
“Students Come First”, “Learning is Our Central Purpose” and “Public Education Serves the Common Good” are values that all programming in the Calgary Board of Education reflect. Calgary Board of Education TLC students will have access to high quality, sustainable programming that:
- provides an environment where learning is as unique as each student and attends to the Mission and Values of the CBE;
- is accessible to a range of learners;
- is based on the Alberta Education Programs of Study within the TLC philosophy: “The Gradual Release of Responsibility Model”;
- emphasize the pursuit of excellence across all disciplines of the Provincial curriculum including second language learning and music;
- adheres to the CBE direction for student success; Academic Success, Citizenship, Personal Development and Character with an emphasis on character education that is intentionally taught throughout the curriculum;
- provides staff who are knowledgeable and committed to the CBE personalized learning strategy and the TLC philosophy and methodology; and
- recognizes the joint commitment of parent or guardian and students to the TLC philosophy and methodology; to student participation in all aspects of the TLC program; and to weekly communication through blogs and MyCBE.
TLC Motto
To Think, To Value, To Know.
School Motto
Go Lightning – Pride and Respect
School Name
Our school is named after Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who was a lawyer, a journalist, and a politician. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was born on November 20, 1841. He studied law at McGill University and became a lawyer in 1864. He served in the house for 45 years. Laurier became the leader of the Liberal Party in 1887 and was the leader of the party for 22 years. In 1896, he was elected as Prime Minister of Canada and was in that position until 1911. Laurier promoted national unity and equal rights for French and English Canadians at a time when there were radical changes and deteriorating cultural relationships. He was involved in building the transcontinental railway which, when completed, joined the East and West by rail. Sir Wilfrid Laurier died in 1919. He has been described as a very clever and eloquent politician and we are proud to be the school named in his honour.
Who Was Sir Wilfrid Laurier?
Sir Wilfrid Laurier was born on Nov. 20, 1841, to Carolus and Marcelle Martineau in Saint-Lin, a town north of Montréal in the Lanaudiere region. He married Zoe Lafontain but didn't have any children. He was an accomplished lawyer and journalist, as well as an excellent speaker and an intense believer in Canada's destiny of a great nation. He was the seventh Prime Minister, and also the first French Canadian Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911.
Some of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's great accomplishments include bringing the French and the English together when many others in his position failed, creating the Department of Affairs in 1909, and encouraging the development of Western Canada through immigration. Through the foresight of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the "Father of Modern Canada", he was key in building the second transcontinental railway system and colonizing the fertile lands of western Canada.
The colonization and the building of the railroads led to the "Western Boom" which stimulated the country's economy and the creation of two new provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905. In 1911, Sir Wilfrid Laurier ended his long reign, of 15 years, as the Prime Minister of Canada. He died Feb. 17, 1919, following a series of strokes while he was in office as the Opposition Leader.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School at a Glance
- Close student, staff, community relationships
- Active and changing physical education and complementary programs
- Multicultural setting
- Strong intramural and interschool programs
- Teacher Advisor program (TA)
- Inclusion of special education students in all aspects of school program
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 | 2024-2025
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.