National Sport School (Canada)

The National Sport School (NSS) is a public high school (secondary school) in Calgary, Alberta; which teaches grades 9 through 12. In partnership with Winsport Canada the Calgary Board of Education created the school to support Student Athletes with Olympic potential. Canadian Olympic calibre athletes (current and potential) are 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 at William Aberhart High School, 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).

In September 2011 the NSS moved from Ernest Manning to Canada Olympic Park in the Athletic & Ice Complex due to the old Ernest Manning location closing for LRT construction. The National Sport School is now located right in with training centers and ice rinks.

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.^[1][2]
• Deidra Dionne - Won bronze in 2002 Winter Olympics in freestyle aerial ski^[3][1]
• Blythe Hartley - Won bronze at 2004 Summer Olympics for diving^[1]
• Alanna Kraus - Won bronze at 2002 Winter Olympics and silver at 2006 Winter Olympics in short-track speed skating^[2][1]
• Carla MacLeod - Won gold in ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics^[4]
• Kyle Shewfelt - Won gold in gymnastics at the 2004 Summer Olympics^[1]
• Jessica Sloan - Won six gold medals at the 2000 Summer Paralympics^[1]

2006 Olympics

Athletes who have attended the school and competed for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics:^[4]

References

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.