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Wagar High School

Coordinates: 45°28′10″N 73°40′7″W / 45.46944°N 73.66861°W / 45.46944; -73.66861
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wagar High School was a high school at 5785 Parkhaven Avenue in Côte Saint-Luc, Quebec, Canada. It opened its doors in 1963[1] as part of the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (PSBGM)[2] and closed in 2005 as part of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB). At its peak in the mid-70s, Wagar's population topped out at over 1,700 students, despite its having been built to accommodate 1,100. The school was named after Roy Wagar, a school board official.[3] Its first graduating class was in 1965.[4] Wagar died during his speech at Monkland High School's graduation ceremony just a year before Wagar High School opened its doors.[5]

Over many years, particularly in the 70s, Wagar High School enjoyed a reputation for high academic achievement, consistently scoring at the top of the provincial rankings, and regularly eclipsing teams from rival high schools such as West Hill, Mount Royal, Loyola, Father MacDonald and others, in the CBC Television quiz show "Reach For The Top".

After years of declining enrollment, Wagar High School was closed in 2005. The Wagar building was renamed The Giovanni Palatucci Facility on May 16, 2006, after a World War II hero who risked and eventually gave his life to save 5000 Jews. This was especially fitting because of the large percentage of Jewish students at Wagar during most of its history. [6]

The school board is attempting to reopen the high school for the 2011–12 school year, as a sports specialty school.[7]

The building was reopened as John Grant High School.

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "2005 Wagar High School Prelude Yearbooks Page 2".
  2. ^ "Schools" (Archive). Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal. January 17, 1998. Retrieved on November 24, 2014.
  3. ^ "About the Wagar.ca Website". wagar.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  4. ^ "About the Wagar.ca Website". wagar.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  5. ^ "About the Wagar.ca Website". wagar.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  6. ^ "Giovanni Palatucci Facility". EMSB. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  7. ^ Goldenberg, Joel. "EMSB to hold info meeting about new high school for CSL". The Suburban. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
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45°28′10″N 73°40′7″W / 45.46944°N 73.66861°W / 45.46944; -73.66861