School Philosophy

School Values

At Westminster School: 

• We Are Inclusive. Everyone belongs. Everyone is valued. At our school, all students have the right to learn and all teachers have the right to teach. We must normalize differences so that our students receiving support do not become stigmatized within our school community. All students benefit from the universal supports and intentionally planned learning experiences. Each student must be allowed to work in a climate that is secure and productive, without disruptive behavior by any other student infringing upon the rights of others. Our Rights and Responsibilities document/policy will be reviewed on the first day of school and throughout the year.  Together, as a staff, we must commit to addressing personal biases and prejudices to ensure they do not impact our students. 
• We Build Character. Kind, compassionate, and empathetic students.
• We Look Beyond Schooling. We educate whole, well-rounded students through a multitude of opportunities and rich experiences.
• We Have Fun. There is an element of delight in all that we do.
• We Are Community-Centred. Inside and outside of Westminster, we focus on building a better world. 
• We Give Back. Not only is service a part of who we are, it's part of the core building blocks of the IB MYP.  Every year, our students collectively commit to over 5,500 hours of volunteering.
• We are Engaged, Empowered and Resilient. Engaged students are more motivated and achieve better academic outcomes, while empowerment cultivates self-advocacy and critical thinking skills. Resilience equips them to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and persevere toward their goals, ultimately preparing them for success in an ever-evolving world.

IB Middle Years Programming

Westminster School is proud to be an International Baccalaureate Middle Year's Programme (IBMYP) school, one of only two in Edmonton Public Schools.  Combining academics, athletics, arts, and real life experiences, we seek to create equal opportunties for all of our students. Every student has a voice. Every student has a unique story to tell.

We foster a safe, equitable atmosphere for students to learn, grow, and discover more about themselves. We strive to ensure students graduate from Westminster with an excellent education, but also as well-rounded, compassionate, and community-focused humans.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) emphasizes intellectual challenge from a social development perspective. It encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. 

The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning. The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers. 

Research shows that students who learn through the IB Middle Years Programme:

• build confidence in managing their own learning
• learn by doing, connecting the classroom to the larger world
• outperform  non-IB students in critical academic skills
• if continued in high school, consistently have greater success in IB Diploma Programme examinations
• thrive in positive and inclusive school cultures where they are engaged and motivated to excel
• develop an understanding of global challenges and a commitment to act as responsible citizens.

We are a place for everyone.