John G. Diefenbaker High School

John G. Diefenbaker High School
Address
Map
6620 4 St NW

Calgary
,
Alberta
,
T2K 1C2

Canada
Coordinates51°06′46″N 114°04′12″W / 51.1127°N 114.0700°W / 51.1127; -114.0700
Information
TypePublic
MottoFreedom, Choice, Responsibility
Established1971
School boardCalgary Board of Education
PrincipalJason Arrell
Grades10, 11, 12
Enrollment1674[1] (2023)
 • Grade 10604
 • Grade 11591
 • Grade 12479
CampusUrban
Colour(s)Blue and White   
Team nameChiefs
Communities servedBeddington Heights, Evanston, Huntington Hills, Kincora, Thorncliffe, MacEwan Glen, Sage Hill, Sandstone Valley, Panorama Hills, Harvest Hills
Feeder schoolsColonel Irvine Jr. High, Georges P. Vanier Jr. High, Sir John A. Macdonald Jr. High, Captain Nichola Goddard Jr. High, Balmoral Middle School, F.E. Osborne Junior High School
Websiteschool.cbe.ab.ca/school/johngdiefenbaker Edit this at Wikidata

John G. Diefenbaker High School is a senior public high school located at 6620 4th Street N.W., Huntington Hills, Calgary, Alberta. The school is named after the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, John G. Diefenbaker. The school is part of the Calgary Board of Education. The school graduates around 400 Grade 12 students every year, with a 91% graduation rate. As of September 2022, there are 1674 students.[2]

The school is part of the Action for Bright Children Society.[3]

Academics

John G. Diefenbaker High School is one of the five International Baccalaureate high schools in Calgary. On the Provincial Diplomas, John G. Diefenbaker performs well and is in the top five High Schools in the CBE.[4]

Clubs

Competitive Service Interests
  • Student Council (Leadership)
  • Diefenbaker News (Dief Days)
  • Yearbook
  • Youth Volunteer Corps
  • Salvation Army
  • MAC Africa
  • Charity Dance Silent Auction
  • Environmental Club (Green Chiefs)
  • DSA (Desi Societal Association)
  • Culture and Diversity Club
  • Amnesty International Club
  • Graduation Committee
  • Bridging the Gap Seniors Club
  • Dungeons & Dragons Club
  • Art Club
  • Christian Club
  • Chinese Culture Club
  • Knitting Club

Athletics

Diefenbaker is known for their badminton and wrestling programs. John G. Diefenbaker Senior High Schools' wrestling team is among the best in Alberta, having won seven city championships as well as five Provincial titles. Its wrestling team was also the top ranked High School team in Canada in 2007, 2008 & 2009 according to the Canadian National Wrestling Association, having a large number of its members compete and obtain medals at the National Championships. In 2008 they set a Calgary record with 120 points in the city championships. In addition, Diefenbaker has won city championships in girls' rugby, badminton, and in 2011 the Senior Girls Field Hockey team won the first ever Division 1 city championship against Western Canada beating them 1-0 in overtime. Diefenbaker was also able to capture the DIV 3 city championship for SR boys volleyball in 2015-2016 and the DIV 3 city championship for SR girls basketball in 2017-2018.[5]

Music program

Diefenbaker High School band program consists of the Concert Band, and Jazz 1 and 2 Bands. Mr. Rod Pauls was the Director of Bands in the school until 2010. In 2010–2011 school year, Mr. Kenneth Thackrey started as the Director of Bands. His first concert with the school was on November 24, 2010.

The Choir program consists of a Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Vocal Jazz. Mr. Laurie Schwartz is the Director of Choirs.[6]

The Music Department holds two annual public concerts: one in the fall and one in the spring.

Notable alumni

  • Jessie Foster – international endangered missing person and victim of human trafficking. Jessie graduated from JGD in 2002, was lured to the US in 2005 and has been missing since 2006. Jessie is Canada's 'Poster-Child' for this crime.
  • Chris Gailus – television news anchor
  • Mike Green – retired professional ice hockey player, played with the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers.
  • Ryan Radmanovich – professional baseball player, played with the Seattle Mariners
  • Jeff Zimmerman – professional baseball player, played with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners, MLB All-Star 1999
Wikimedia Commons has media related to John G. Diefenbaker High School.

References

  1. ^ "View School Profile".
  2. ^ "View School Profile". www.cbe.ab.ca. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  3. ^ "Gifted Schools - Calgary". www.abccalgary.com. Archived from the original on 2014-09-26.
  4. ^ "Calgary Board of Education - Student Results". Archived from the original on 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  5. ^ "Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association : Powered by GOALLINE". calgaryhighschoolsports.ca. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  6. ^ Westwinds Music Society Archived 2008-10-03 at the Wayback Machine