Queen Elizabeth High School (Edmonton)

Queen Elizabeth High School, located in north Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is a senior high school in the Edmonton Public School System.

According to information provided on the school web site, "the primary focus of Queen Elizabeth High School is to provide "high" quality education, which will allow each individual student the maximum opportunity for "growth". Supporting this focus is our commitment to the sciences, mathematics, and advanced technologies where we take multimedia and technology supported routes to further enrich studies in these fields - and prepare students for the "real" world job market."

Queen Elizabeth has a reputation as a safe and friendly school, and is known for its high ethnic diversity and co-operation between students. Students at Queen Elizabeth tend also to be very helpful with the school's considerable population of ISP Students (Individual Support Program[Special needs]) Fighting and racism are virtually absent within the school walls and everyone is given an equal opportunity for a harmonious education. This is made possible by its responsible students, caring faculty and a permanent City Police "Resource Officer". The "Resource Officer" is there to help maintain harmony in and around Queen Elizabeth High School.

The school's Renaissance students have arranged school 'Rallies' for the students. These rallies, which happen at least once a year, are to reward student and staff achievement. During the year end rallies, a performance of student "talent" is displayed in the school competition known as 'Queen Elizabeth Idol' or 'QEI'.

In 2000, a group of students at the school campaigned to raise awareness about Palestinian deaths in the Middle East. The students wore traditional shawls to class to pay their respects.

Academic programs

The school has advanced placement classes and classes in English as a second language. These classes are extremely difficult, and there are very few people who actually make it into these classes.

The school has an aviation program instructing students interested in getting a private pilot license, taught by teacher/flight instructor Matt Kading. The program covers a curriculum provided by Transport. Canada.

Athletics

The school athletic teams are called the 'Queen Elizabeth Knights', and the school colours are purple and gold. Athletic programs at the school include: Badminton, Ball Hockey, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross-Country, Football, Rugby, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, Team Handball, Volleyball, Weight Training, and Wrestling. Sadly the football team has never won a game in the regular season since their new start in the 2006-2007 season.

Individual Support Program

The Individual Support Program, for students with severe to profound developmental delays, occupies a classroom and a small, enclosed courtyard which features a rock waterfall, wooden bridge, limestone pathway, and shrubbery, along with a pagoda with spruce log seats and teaching stone. The courtyard, created in 2005, is used as a "Living Classroom" as well as for high school activities and community events. About 20 students are in the program, ranging in age from 14 to 20.

Judges for the 2006/07 School–Community Public Relations Awards selected "The Living Classroom," for the School Award of Excellence.

Notable Alumni

Darryl Boessenkool, Edmonton Oilers' Vice-President of Finance & CFO