Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School
Encyclopedia
Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School, sometimes shortened to Kitchener Collegiate Institute and often abbreviated as KCI, is a public
secondary school
in Kitchener, Ontario
, Canada
. It is a member of the Waterloo Region District School Board
. The school dates from 1855, making it the oldest high school in Kitchener and Waterloo
. Its sports teams are known as the Raiders.
). It initially was located in a building at the corner of King and Eby streets in the downtown area, and tuition cost five shillings per month. From 1857 to 1871, it occupied space in the Berlin Central School (now Suddaby Public School
) on Frederick Street. Girls were first admitted to the school in 1866. With increasing numbers at the Central School, the school then moved to the former Swedenborgian Church
on Church Street.
The original school on the current site was a one room log cabin and the first school in the area. The log cabin was later moved to Waterloo Park.
In 1874, land was purchased at a cost of $650 for the first permanent home for the school at its current location on King Street West, closer to the Waterloo border. The building cost $5,804 and opened in 1876. By this time it was called Berlin High School (Ontario legislation passed in 1871 caused grammar schools to become high schools).
In 1876, teacher David Forsyth started laboratory experiments in science class. He and the school were considered pioneers in this regard. Commercial subjects were added to the curriculum by 1884. Manual training was also introduced in the 19th century. Music
was also introduced in 1884. Athletics became available after 1891.
In 1903, building commenced on the first addition to the school (since then, ten other additions have been made). While construction was taking place, some classes were moved to the City Hall
and to Kitchener's Carnegie library
. On November 30, 1904, a Provincial-Order-in-Council raised the school to the status of a collegiate institute
, and the school became the Berlin Collegiate and Technical Institute. By 1905 the new building was in use. The school changed names along with the city in 1916 to Kitchener Collegiate and Technical Institute.
By 1919 the school was quite crowded, and the office and other unsuitable rooms were being used as classrooms. As well, the Dominion and Provincial governments had recently announced a policy assisting municipalities in funding of schools. Plans for an expansion were drawn, but were not approved by the municipality. Two years later, however, a set of revised plans were approved. These plans involved demolishing the 1876 building, modernizing the 1903–4 building, which still stands, and placing in front of it a new gymnasium, auditorium, front hall, and classrooms, as well as an east wing of classrooms in place of the 1876 building. Construction started on July 2, 1922. The new school opened for classes on September 4, 1923. The formal opening of the building took place on April 4, 1924, when the school was given its current name.
In 1924 there were 550 students, a figure that had increased to 1,418 students by 1932. Due to cramped conditions, grade 9 classes were held in the downtown Victoria Public School and in King Edward Public School from 1933 to 1951, when the west-wing addition was completed.
In 1948, KCI introduced driver education, one of the first schools to do so.
In 1955, KCI celebrated its 100th anniversary. For the previous hundred years, KCI had been the only public high school in Kitchener and Waterloo. However, in 1956, Eastwood Collegiate Institute
opened. Less than 20 years later there were eight high schools in Kitchener and Waterloo. Many of the new schools' principals were former teachers at KCI.
In 1969, the Kitchener and Waterloo High School Board, which had been the governing body of the school for over a century, came to an end. KCI became part of the Waterloo County Board of Education (now the Waterloo Region District School Board
).
In the 1970s, the City of Kitchener designated the front foyer of the school as a heritage structure under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act
.
The school's 125th anniversary celebrations took place on the weekend of May 16–18, 1980. Over six thousand former students took part.
In 2003, considerable controversy arose when the Waterloo Region District School Board was selecting a high school to close, in order to open a new school
in the southwest end of Kitchener (this was required under the provincial funding model of the time). A large public outcry began when the staff report recommended the closure of KCI, along with Southwood Secondary School
. Critics of this proposal noted that KCI had a significant history and a unique culture among secondary schools in Kitchener and Waterloo, partly due to the wide variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds among its students. Further analysis of the financial situation by trustees, however, eliminated the need for a Kitchener school closure.
In 2004, football coach Ed Dietrich was selected runner-up "NFL/CFL High School Coach of the Year".
In 2005, the school celebrated its 150th anniversary reunion from May 27-29.
The school underwent extensive renovations in 2006, with money from the provincial government.
, yellow
, and black
(adopted from the flag of Germany
because of the city's German heritage), and its motto is Veritas Vincat (Latin
, May Truth Prevail); until 1916 the motto was Höher Hinauf (German
, To the Heights). At various points since his introduction, there have been contentious debates
about the propriety of the former school mascot, a First Nations
raider named Rodney. Citing the issue of racism, the school decided to change the school mascot to a pirate while maintaining the raider name.
The most famous alumnus of the school was William Lyon Mackenzie King
, Prime Minister of Canada
for over 21 years, who was a student between 1887 and 1891. During the school's 150th anniversary celebrations, a statue of him as a student was unveiled on the front lawn of the school.
Other noted alumni and former students of the school include:
Public education
State schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is a member of the Waterloo Region District School Board
Waterloo Region District School Board
Waterloo Region District School Board is the public school board for the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It operates 103 elementary schools, 16 secondary schools, and other facilities, serving 60,000 students in the Region of Waterloo. It has approximately 5500 staff and a budget of $675...
. The school dates from 1855, making it the oldest high school in Kitchener and Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is the smallest of the three cities in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is adjacent to the city of Kitchener....
. Its sports teams are known as the Raiders.
History
The school first opened on April 2, 1855 as the Berlin Senior Boys' Grammar School (Kitchener was known as Berlin at the timeBerlin to Kitchener name change
Through the latter half of the 19th century and into the first decade of the 20th, the City of Berlin, Ontario, Canada, was a bustling industrial centre celebrating its German heritage...
). It initially was located in a building at the corner of King and Eby streets in the downtown area, and tuition cost five shillings per month. From 1857 to 1871, it occupied space in the Berlin Central School (now Suddaby Public School
Suddaby Public School
Suddaby Public School, originally known as Central School, is a public elementary school in Kitchener, Ontario . It is located at 171 Frederick Street, in the city's downtown. It serves grades Junior Kindergarten through grade 6.The school building opened in January 1857, and its first principal...
) on Frederick Street. Girls were first admitted to the school in 1866. With increasing numbers at the Central School, the school then moved to the former Swedenborgian Church
Swedenborgian Church
There are many organizations that are classified as a Swedenborgian Church. These organizations are Christian churches who understand the Bible in the light of the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.-Denominations in the United States:...
on Church Street.
The original school on the current site was a one room log cabin and the first school in the area. The log cabin was later moved to Waterloo Park.
In 1874, land was purchased at a cost of $650 for the first permanent home for the school at its current location on King Street West, closer to the Waterloo border. The building cost $5,804 and opened in 1876. By this time it was called Berlin High School (Ontario legislation passed in 1871 caused grammar schools to become high schools).
In 1876, teacher David Forsyth started laboratory experiments in science class. He and the school were considered pioneers in this regard. Commercial subjects were added to the curriculum by 1884. Manual training was also introduced in the 19th century. Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
was also introduced in 1884. Athletics became available after 1891.
Kitchener City Hall
The City Hall of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, has gone through many iterations through the 20th century, culminating in the current building, which opened in 1993....
and to Kitchener's Carnegie library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
. On November 30, 1904, a Provincial-Order-in-Council raised the school to the status of a collegiate institute
Collegiate institute
A collegiate institute is a term that can refer to a school either of secondary education or of higher education. It has a complex definition that varies regionally, and has been largely unused outside of Canada since the early 20th century.-Canada:...
, and the school became the Berlin Collegiate and Technical Institute. By 1905 the new building was in use. The school changed names along with the city in 1916 to Kitchener Collegiate and Technical Institute.
By 1919 the school was quite crowded, and the office and other unsuitable rooms were being used as classrooms. As well, the Dominion and Provincial governments had recently announced a policy assisting municipalities in funding of schools. Plans for an expansion were drawn, but were not approved by the municipality. Two years later, however, a set of revised plans were approved. These plans involved demolishing the 1876 building, modernizing the 1903–4 building, which still stands, and placing in front of it a new gymnasium, auditorium, front hall, and classrooms, as well as an east wing of classrooms in place of the 1876 building. Construction started on July 2, 1922. The new school opened for classes on September 4, 1923. The formal opening of the building took place on April 4, 1924, when the school was given its current name.
In 1948, KCI introduced driver education, one of the first schools to do so.
In 1955, KCI celebrated its 100th anniversary. For the previous hundred years, KCI had been the only public high school in Kitchener and Waterloo. However, in 1956, Eastwood Collegiate Institute
Eastwood Collegiate Institute
Eastwood Collegiate Institute is a public high school located at 760 Weber Street East in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1956. The school teams are known as the "Rebels". Eastwood is known for its Provincially ranked soccer teams, as well as its Integrated Arts Program...
opened. Less than 20 years later there were eight high schools in Kitchener and Waterloo. Many of the new schools' principals were former teachers at KCI.
In 1969, the Kitchener and Waterloo High School Board, which had been the governing body of the school for over a century, came to an end. KCI became part of the Waterloo County Board of Education (now the Waterloo Region District School Board
Waterloo Region District School Board
Waterloo Region District School Board is the public school board for the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It operates 103 elementary schools, 16 secondary schools, and other facilities, serving 60,000 students in the Region of Waterloo. It has approximately 5500 staff and a budget of $675...
).
In the 1970s, the City of Kitchener designated the front foyer of the school as a heritage structure under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act
Ontario Heritage Act
The Ontario Heritage Act, first enacted on March 5, 1975, allows municipalities and the provincial government to designate individual properties and districts in the Province of Ontario, Canada, as being of cultural heritage value or interest....
.
The school's 125th anniversary celebrations took place on the weekend of May 16–18, 1980. Over six thousand former students took part.
In 2003, considerable controversy arose when the Waterloo Region District School Board was selecting a high school to close, in order to open a new school
Huron Heights Secondary School (Kitchener)
Huron Heights Secondary School is the newest high school in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It serves the rapidly-growing southwest end of the city, located at the intersection of Strasburg and Huron Road. It opened on September 5, 2006...
in the southwest end of Kitchener (this was required under the provincial funding model of the time). A large public outcry began when the staff report recommended the closure of KCI, along with Southwood Secondary School
Southwood Secondary School
Southwood Secondary School is a high school in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, for students in West Galt and North Dumfries.-History:Southwood was founded in 1962. Although it has one of the lower student enrollments in the region, that does not seem to affect performance...
. Critics of this proposal noted that KCI had a significant history and a unique culture among secondary schools in Kitchener and Waterloo, partly due to the wide variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds among its students. Further analysis of the financial situation by trustees, however, eliminated the need for a Kitchener school closure.
In 2004, football coach Ed Dietrich was selected runner-up "NFL/CFL High School Coach of the Year".
In 2005, the school celebrated its 150th anniversary reunion from May 27-29.
The school underwent extensive renovations in 2006, with money from the provincial government.
Traditions
The school colours are redRed
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
, yellow
Yellow
Yellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–590 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green...
, and black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
(adopted from the flag of Germany
Flag of Germany
The flag of Germany is a tricolour consisting of three equal horizontal bands displaying the national colours of Germany: black, red, and gold....
because of the city's German heritage), and its motto is Veritas Vincat (Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, May Truth Prevail); until 1916 the motto was Höher Hinauf (German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, To the Heights). At various points since his introduction, there have been contentious debates
Native American mascot controversy
The propriety of using Native American mascots and images in sports has been a topic of debate in the United States and Canada since the 1960s.Americans have had a history of drawing inspiration from native peoples and "playing Indian" that dates back at least to the 18th century...
about the propriety of the former school mascot, a First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
raider named Rodney. Citing the issue of racism, the school decided to change the school mascot to a pirate while maintaining the raider name.
Notable alumni
William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
, Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
for over 21 years, who was a student between 1887 and 1891. During the school's 150th anniversary celebrations, a statue of him as a student was unveiled on the front lawn of the school.
Other noted alumni and former students of the school include:
- June CallwoodJune CallwoodJune Rose Callwood, was a Canadian journalist, author and social activist. She was born in Chatham, Ontario and grew up in nearby Belle River.-Early life and career:...
, Journalist and activist - William Daum EulerWilliam Daum EulerWilliam Daum Euler, was a Canadian parliamentarian.Born in Conestogo, Ontario, the son of Henry Euler and Catherine Daum, he attended Berlin High School between the years of 1891 and 1893. He then taught in Suddaby Public School and later founded the Euler Business College. Euler married Jean...
(student 1891–1893), Minister of National RevenueMinister of National Revenue (Canada)The Minister of National Revenue is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency and the administration of taxation law and collection....
between 1927 and 1930 - Dr. Jack Gibson (graduated 1896), Hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
- Kenneth MillarRoss MacdonaldNot to be confused with John D. MacDonaldRoss Macdonald is the pseudonym of the American-Canadian writer of crime fiction Kenneth Millar...
(attended 1930–1932; taught at the school 1939–1941), Author, creator of the Lew ArcherLew ArcherLew Archer is a fictional character created by Ross Macdonald. Archer is a private detective working in Southern California.-Profile:Initially, Lew Archer was similar to Philip Marlowe. However, he eventually broke from that mold, though some similarities remain... - David MorrellDavid MorrellDavid Morrell is a Canadian-American novelist, best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become the successful Rambo film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. He has written 28 novels, and his work has been translated into 26 languages...
, author, creator of Rambo - Tony Young, AKA Master TMaster TTony "Master T" Young is a Canadian television and radio personality and urban music promoter. He was raised in Kitchener, Ontario....
, MuchMusicMuchMusicMuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
vj - Jeremy RatchfordJeremy RatchfordJeremy Ratchford is a Canadian actor. He starred as Nick Vera on the TV series Cold Case.While in Canada, Ratchford played Marvel Comic book character Banshee in a live action version of Generation X TV movie...
, Actor (Cold Case) - Al MacInnisAl MacInnisAllan MacInnis is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues. A first round selection of the Flames in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to become a 13-time All-Star...
, National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Hall of Famer 1981–2003 - Clive T. Jaffray (student 1879–1880), President of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Sault Ste Marie Railway and of the Wisconsin Central Railway
- Art BinkowskiArt BinkowskiArtur "Art" Binkowski is a Polish-born Canadian heavyweight boxer who competed for his adopted country Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.-Background:...
, Boxer - Miranda Ranieri, Canadian National Squash Champion
- Milt SchmidtMilt SchmidtMilton Conrad Schmidt is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre, coach and general manager, mostly for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
, National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player, member of the Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
(dropped out at age 14) - François Charles Archile JeanneretFrançois Charles Archile JeanneretFrançois Charles Archile Jeanneret was the 22nd Chancellor of the University of Toronto, holding the position from 1959 to 1965.-Early life:...
, Noted academic - John OswaldJohn OswaldJohn Oswald may refer to:* John Oswald , Scottish philosopher, writer, and revolutionary* John Oswald , British general...
, (student 1968-1972) Composer, Governor General's Arts Laureate (2004) - Chris JohnsonChris Johnson (boxer)Chris Omar Johnson is a Jamaican-born boxer, who won a middleweight bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics for Canada...
, Olympic bronze medalist (boxing) - Nick HectorNick HectorNick Hector is a Canadian film editor.Hector is a ten-time Gemini Award nominee. Hector collaborated with legendary Canadian filmmaker Allan King and exclusively cut his films during the last decade of King's career...
, Film editor - Alexi ZentnerAlexi ZentnerAlexi Zentner is a Canadian / American short story writer, and novelist.-Life:He graduated from Cornell University with an MFA.He taught at Cornell University....
, Giller Prize-nominated author
External links
- http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1981/81015.html. Retrieved August 19, 2006.
- http://www.universitysport.ca/e/championships/vaniercup/2004/print_story.cfm?ID=3634. Retrieved August 19, 2006.
- http://kci.wrdsb.on.ca/about_profile.php. Retrieved August 19, 2006.
- Home page