Our School

Welcome to Douglas Harkness School

Our goal is to create a learning community that supports and provides excellent experiences for our students. We believe that parents are partners in the education of their children and that it is only through working together that we will provide the best opportunities for our students. We welcome all of our students to school this year and look forward to another year of growing and learning together!

~ Douglas Harkness School Staff

School Mission

Our mission at Douglas Harkness School is to foster a school culture that honors diversity and encourages students to become lifelong learners and contributing members of society.

School Motto

Building Peaceful Communities Together

Our School's Three Pillars

In meeting the needs of each individual student, school expectations emphasize socially responsible behaviour that includes respect for the rights and well‐being of others, property and self. Discussions with children will center on three pillars.

  1. Take Care of Yourself 
  2. Take Care of Others 
  3. Take care of Our Place

Who Was Douglas Harkness?

Douglas Harkness School was named after Douglas Scott Harkness who was born in Toronto on March 29, 1903 and moved to Calgary in 1929. He graduated from the University of Alberta, then farmed and taught school in the vicinity of Red Deer. Mr Harkness taught at Crescent Heights High School until 1939. He had distinguished military career and in 1943 was awarded the George medal for "courage, gallantry and devotion to a duty of a high order."

In 1945, Mr. Harkness was elected to the House of Commons for the constituency of Calgary East. He continued his public service in the Departments of Northern Affairs, National Resources and Agriculture until his retirement in 1963. Mr. Harkness lived in Calgary until his death in 1999.

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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. In 2021, our school, along with all CBE schools made a TRC Commitment to Action. On June 21, 2022, we renewed our commitment, which can be found under Resources.​​

​​​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.​​​

​​​​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​.
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RT @NickleCBE: Grade 9 morning trip to Fish Creek Park. Students practiced building shelters, making fires, and of course enjoying s'mores together. @nickleschoolparents https://t.co/BCx7FXdm6o

RT @gale_school: Many grade 9 students have been working hard to research and create their Social Justice displays. Today, they presented them to our grade 6 students. #WeAreCBE @Area4CBE https://t.co/yb9tncl83e

RT @cmhsrams: CMHS appreciates our guest teachers. Our culinary students have been providing them with treats every morning. Substitute teachers are essential to our schools. Thank you. #WeAreCBE https://t.co/6VwZdt9i3a

RT @WillowParkCBE: We celebrated Pi Day with our first ever Wild Numeracy Math Art Exhibition this evening. Students from across @yyCBEdu Area 5 participated! Thanks to our amazing teachers for their creativity and collaboration. #wearecbe https://t.co/GZQMNKooYe

Are you going into Grade 11 & interested in working with animals? Attend the Vet Tech Assistant information night to learn more about the Olds College 2-year Certificated Program Contact uniquepathways@cbe.ab.ca or 403-817-7516 for more information #WeAreCBE https://t.co/8TfF4SUDef