National Sport School (Canada)
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The National Sport School (NSS) is a public high school (secondary school) in Calgary, Alberta; which teaches grades 9 through 12. The school is specially designed for Canadian Olympic calibre athletes (current and potential) to be able to train and travel internationally, while staying in school. It was founded in 1994 as the first national sport school in the country.
In 2003 NSS moved from its prior location, into the Northwest corner of the building housing Ernest Manning High School. However, it remains a distinct school, with its own principal, and students in the school do not follow the regular semester/scheduling system of other students (in or out of Ernest Manning).
Student composition
To attend the school, a student must be recommended a Canadian Olympic Sport governing body. The school is operated in a partnership between the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA). As of 2005 athletes from 15 different sports attended. All athletes are deemed to have substantial potential for success at the international level (or have already obtained it). Unlike the typical school run by the CBE, substantial fees are charged ($4,000/year for the 2004/2005 school year) and a selection committee at the school decides each applicant on their sporting potential and academic merit.Due to Calgary's climate and history as a Winter Olympics host, athletes are more likely to compete in Winter sports, but this is not a rule. Winter athletes often gain the most from the school schedule, since they must train during limited daylight hours during the Winter, which is the same time most regular schools require student attendance. As the school is open year round, those taking extended Winter breaks for training and competition, can make up for it during the Summer (when most other Calgary schools are closed).
Special accommodations
An athlete's schedule is handled, by allowing students to enter or exit the program throughout the year, without losing credit for work already done (which would occur in a normal 2x5-month semester program). There is a low student-teacher ratio, for added attention. Also, on average, students have access to three computers each, including laptops. Students can remotely stay in contact with their teachers, even when away on competitions.Calgary's Olympic legacy
The school is physically located to be sufficiently close to major sports facilities within Calgary, many of which were built for the 1988 Winter Olympics held in Calgary. CODA was the organization that ran those Olympics, and their support for the school, is intended to be part of the legacy of those games (along with the sports facilities).Notable alumni
This section may include current and past students of the school (whether they graduated or not).International medal winners
- Jennifer Botterill - Was on gold medal winning ice hockey team in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.[CODA's list of medal winning alumni for the National Sport School]; URL last accessed February 17, 2006Bergman, Brian, ["Athletes' ABCs: National Sport, Calgary"], Maclean's, August 23, 2004.
- Deidra Dionne - Won bronze in 2002 Winter Olympics in freestyle aerial ski["National Sport School Opens"], Ski & Snowboard Canada, October 16, 2003.
- Blythe Hartley - Won bronze at 2004 Summer Olympics for diving
- Alanna Kraus - Won bronze at 2002 Winter Olympicssilver at 2006 Winter Olympics in short-track speed skating
- Carla MacLeod - Won gold in ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics["February 2006 National Sport School Newsletter"]; URL last accessed April 12, 2006.
- Kyle Shewfelt - Won gold in gymnastics at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Jessica Sloan - Won six gold medals at the 2000 Summer Paralympics
2006 Olympics
Athletes who have attended the school and competed for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics:
| Event | Athlete |
|---|---|
| Alpine Skiing
| Shona Rubens Sherry Lawrence |
| Short Track Speed Skating
| Alanna Kraus |
| Luge
| Alex Gough"Hauptman gets the call", Daily Bulletin (Kimberley, B.C.), January 19, 2006. pg. 3. Grant Albrecht Sam Edney Meaghan Simister Ian Cockerline |
| Women's Hockey
| Carla MacLeod Jennifer Botterill |
| Freestyle Skiing
| Deidra Dionne Kyle Nissen Warren Shouldice |
| Ski Jumping
| Greg Baxter Graham Gorham Stefan Read |
| Nordic Combined
| Jason Myslicki Max Thompson |
| Bobsleigh
| Kaillie Simundson |
| Biathlon
| Sandra Keith |
References
- ["A Hard Road to Athens: A top gymnast pays the price to achieve her dream"] (May 03, 2004) By Brian Bergman. Maclean's
- "It's the best teaching job ever: Gail Whiteford excels at school for gifted athletes" By Tom Barrett. Edmonton Journal Edmonton, Alta.: Aug 28, 2005. pg. I.3
- "Students sweat and study in style: National Sport School shifts base" By Lauren MacGillivray. Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alta.: Sep 18, 2003. pg. D.9
- "National Sports School expands" Star - Phoenix. Saskatoon, Sask.: May 10, 2003. pg. B.4
- Durrie, Karen Rudolph, ["A sporting change: Programs allow young competitors to excel at athletics - and academics"], Calgary Herald, March 30, 2006. (Alternative Schooling Special Section). p. AS3.
Further reading
- Petrich, Ivana, "Sports school supports athletes' dreams in flight", Calgary Herald, January 26, 2006. pg. N.12 (written by student at NSS)
External links
- [Official site of school]
- [School brochure (2004)]
- [CODA's profile of school] - Includes list of famous alumni.
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