Balancing Excellence in Academics and Athletics
Sport Schools:
Balancing Excellence in Academics and Athletics
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port schools are a relatively new concept in the Canadian sport community but one that is catching on fast. Student-athletes have specific needs that sport schools are able to accommodate, for example, providing athletes with a flexible schedule for training, academics and travel. Many schools provide the latest in sport technology and state-of-the-art training facilities as well as supportive, individualized learning programs that help students keep up with their studies on the road. It is even more significant for a young athlete to have access to sport services like massage and physiotherapy in the same location as they train. In this article we’ve highlighted specific programs, institutions and schools that stand out for their dedication to paving a pathway for their students that support high achievement in an educational context as well as giving them the tools necessary to reach their highest athletic potential.
Québec Sport-études This program aims to offer adapted educational services to highperformance Quebec athletes. The sport schools in Quebec are well established and these schools tend to focus on a balance of academics and athletics, where it’s understood that these two spheres complement each other. Quebec’s sport system has unique culture that embraces high performance sport that consistently produces very talented athletes. The Sport-Études program, officially recognized by Quebec’s Ministry of Education, is for elite level athletes who must meet qualifications set by their particular sports federation. Many of the sport programs offer
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students the ability to adjust their class schedule according to their training and competition needs, extending their studies into additional semesters and access to distance education through various forms of technology. In Sochi, 10 athletes were part of the Alliance SportÉtudes and are a source of inspiration for current student-athletes.
Resources: CBC’s The National does a comprehensive story on Hockey Canada Skills Academy program featuring Sherwood Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario. Originally implemented in 2002, it uses time during the school day to focus on individual skill development instead of competition and students receive a full credit for taking the course. Watch Bill Crothers Secondary School use Sport Testing to accurately evaluate hundreds of students. Sport Testing reveals where you are now and where you need to go, using sport science and technology to measure your strength, speed, agility, explosiveness, and reaction time. time. Promotional video for WinSport Canada’s high performance athletic venues Planification Sport-Études - Antoine Valois-Fortier - MonGRS.ca (Presented in French)
Ressources Sport-Études - Valerie Maltais - MonGRS.ca (Presented in French) Planification Sport-Études - Antoine Valois-Fortier - MonGRS.ca