Our School Name
The school was named after William O. Mitchell, a writer who presented a generally comical view of life in the Canadian west. Born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1914, he spent his childhood in this small farming community.
W.O. Mitchell was a popular teller of humorous tall tales. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta and a teaching certificate in 1942. After two years of teaching, he became a full-time writer. His first and most famous novel was Who Has Seen The Wind (1947). He was the editor for Macleans and also had a highly successful radio and television series, Jake and the Kid, which ran from 1950 to 1958. W.O. Mitchell published many novels, short stories, and plays.
He passed away in 1998. Staff and students honour his legacy and achievements in various ways to keep his memory alive. Each year on March 13th, his birthdate, we share his stories and discuss his many achievements with our students
School Mission
"Each student in keeping with their individual abilities and gifts, will complete high school with a foundation of learning necessary to thrive in life, work and continued learning." (aligned with CBE Mission)
Our Vision
Authentic, purposeful and connected learning opportunities are the foundation of our school's work. Creating personalized learning experiences which enable children to be positive, resourceful, life-long learners and responsible members of our democratic society is a goal to which we, as public educators, aspire.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to create an environment that involves students in engaging, intentional and innovative learning that originates from authentic inquiry into real issues and questions. We endeavor to conceptualize our work in ways that will impact and enhance the potential of our students, both as individuals and citizens of the world therefore contributing to their understanding of critical, complex and interrelated global and human issues.
School Motto
W. O. Mitchell School - A Great Place to Grow/Un Lugar Excelente Para Crecer
W. O. Mitchell School at a Glance
- An inquiry-based school that focuses on engaging students through solving real problems connected to their passions and curiosities, engaging them in knowledge that matters and by making a difference in the world through connections with experts and expertise outside of school. We ensure that personalized learning experiences for students occur through intentional collaboration with the curriculum content, their peers and supportive adults.
- Quality is the expectation for completing tasks and assignments.
- The link between home and school is strong.
- Parent involvement is visible and highly supportive.
- Cross-curricular programs that involve both physical activity and the fine arts. (e.g. choir, handbells, soccer/basketball and badminton intramurals)
- Students are provided with a variety of opportunities to showcase their successful daily classroom outcomes.
- Student leadership incorporates the voices of students into the school based decision making model and promotes authentic leadership skills.
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.