Academics

Overview

BHA student athletes attend The Banff Community High School which provides a comprehensive academic program including French as a second language, instrumental music, art, and CTS (Career & Technology Studies).

BHA students' studies are supplemented by daily individual support, tutoring and study hall.

The way of life in Banff is unparalleled. Students have access to local indoor swimming pools, fitness and recreation facilities and work-out rooms.

Educators

• Steve Greene, BCHS Principal
• Lois Vanderlee, College and Guidance Counseling
• Lynda Enarson, Study Hall Tutor; English and Social Studies
• Ron Duggan, Study Hall Tutor; Math 

School First!

The Banff Hockey Academy (BHA) is proud of its academic programming. A strong collaborative relationship with the Banff Community High School has allowed BHA students to pursue their athletic dreams but not compromise their high school graduation. The BHA has a SCHOOL FIRST policy in the event of conflicts between training and academic activities.

The BHA enjoys a history rich with stories of academic success and achievement with many BHA students having gone on to Canadian, USA and International post secondary schools.

About the Banff Community High School

The Banff Community High School offers an academic program to meet the needs of all students in grades 7 through 12. The program meets the requirements of Alberta Education and affords all students the opportunity to graduate from B.C.H.S. and receive an Alberta High School Diploma or Certificate of Achievement.

An intimate school of 350 students affords the students the individual care they need to be successful.

BHA Academic Programming

Junior High
The grade 7 program, which is designed to ease the transition from elementary school to high school, exposes all students to the same list of core and complimentary courses. The courses afforded are: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education and Health, Instrumental Music, French, Art, Construction and Foods.

In grades 8 and 9 students must take English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, French and Physical Education. Students choose three complimentary courses per year from a list that includes, Outdoor Education, Music, Art, Foods, Communication Technology and Construction.

B.C.H.S. offers high school students all of the required courses and a select number of optional courses required to receive an Alberta High School Diploma. In cases where there is a very small enrollment, courses may be offered through the Canadian Rockies Outreach School or Alberta Distance Learning.

The majority of core courses are semestered with one course each year scheduled opposite of Instrumental Music offered for the full year. Physical Education at the grade 10 level also runs all year opposite Career and Life Management for one semester. Semestered 5 credit courses meet six times per week and full year and 3 credit courses meet three times.

The Teacher Advisor Group (T.A.G.) is an important part of the B.C.H.S. culture. All students are enrolled with an advisor for 3 years, 7-9 and a new advisor in grades 10-12.

Professional Learning Communities
Canadian Rockies Public Schools has a divisional professional development focus of teachers collaborating in teams focused on developing and implementing goals aimed at improving student learning. This culture of professional sharing is referred to as a Professional Learning Community. All members of the school community are learners and focused on improving learning and instruction. Banff Community High School’s class schedule starts at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday to facilitate teachers meeting in their teams for an hour prior to students arriving.

Facilities
The facilities include all labs, computer rooms and wood shop classes one would expect at a typical school. The BHA also has access to the gymnasium and weight room for its off ice programming. Study halls and peak mental performance classes are held at the BCHS always after regular scheduled courses.

Daily Schedule
The typical day of BHA student sees him up early to have breakfast and prepare for a 7:45 AM practice. The chart below explains a typical day that is repeated Monday through Friday. All locations are in walking distance of each other to a maximum of 8 minutes. BHA students will miss the first block of class due to practice. Students are excused from practice for exams or when their attendance is required at class.

Time Activity Location

• 0745-0915 -- On Ice Practice Banff Recreation Centre**
• 1005-1130 -- Class BCHS
• 1130-1230 -- Lunch BHA Residence
• 1230-1530 -- Class BCHS
• 1600-1700 -- PMP or Strength Training BCHS Gym
• 1730-1830 -- Supper BHA Residence
• 1900-2030 -- Study Hall BCHS
• 2130 -- Curfew All students must be at residence

Program Expectation for Players
Due to the hectic schedule, player’s are expected to manage their academic time efficiently. A student will miss the first block in the morning due to a conflicting ice schedule. Over the years, the BCHS has worked collaboratively with us to manage these absences. Students are expected to keep their school work current and to ask for help either from their course teacher or from the BHA tutors.

Program Requirements for Players The BHA seeks to accept only those students who have the highest standards and expectations for academic excellence. While academic achievement may vary for each student, the work ethic, attitude and willingness to learn cannot be compromised. Students with a poor behavior track record will not be accepted at the BHA.

Academic Support Systems
When a student is struggling with comprehension of course curriculum or burdened with a heavy work load, he is first supported by his course teacher. The BCHS staff have always supported the student who is willing to put forth a sincere effort. Additional support comes from the student’s Teacher Advisor Group (TAG) and the BHA tutors who work closely with the BCHS teachers. When necessary, students will have to miss on ice practices to bring academic progress up to date.

Number of Days Missed during Year
As mentioned earlier, students will possibly miss the first block of each day if they actually have a class scheduled during this time. The BCHS has worked hard to provide options where core courses are offered outside of this “on-ice” time.

The most full days missed are during the BHA’s annual college tour to visit colleges, universities and play in a Hockey Showcase Tournament. The BHA students will miss five or six full days during this trip. Other absences occur when the BHA attends tournament requiring overnight travel. Typically, one or two days are missed in this case. This happens two to three times per year.

Responsibility of Player’s Academic Results
All academic results are submitted to the BHA’s Athletic Director, who currently is responsible for academic counseling and liaison with the BCHS. Further delegation will see BHA’s tutors engaged when necessary.

Academic Results Communication to Parents and Players Academic results are submitted to students, parents and the BHA staff four times per year. At anytime, academic progress may be viewed by the BHA staff, student and parent.

Accountability of Academic Results
If a student falls behind with any course work they will be removed of social privileges first and then denied attendance at hockey training activities until an acceptable academic standing is achieved. Daily check ups help ensure that the student gets on the right track. Academic Monitoring

The BHA staff stays in close contact with the BCHS staff. Daily visits and weekly meetings allow for continuous communication between the BHA and BCHS staff. Unexcused absences are reported daily and in some cases within less than an hour of the absence. Poor performance are communicated quickly by BCHS teachers and dealt with promptly by the the BHA’s academic tutors. An On-line monitoring and tracking program allows teachers, coaches and parents to be current with student progress.

Course and Graduation Planning, College Applications
All course planning for BHA students is done through Mrs. Lois Vanderlee. Mrs. Vanderlee has been the point person for the BHA for 20 years. In most cases, the transition from an international school or a non-Albertan school is seamless. Students are required to accumulate 100 credits in order to receive an Alberta High School diploma. Mrs. Vanderlee assists graduating students with the selection and application process and offers years of experience in placing BHA students in post secondary institutions.

About Alberta Education Alberta Education supports the needs of students, parents, teachers and administrators from Early Childhood Services (ECS) through Grade 12. The Ministry has the following responsibilities:

• Develops curriculum and sets standards.
• Evaluates curriculum and assesses outcomes.
• Teacher development and certification.
• Supports special needs students.
• Funds and supports school boards.
• Aboriginal and francophone education.
• Management of the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI).
• Oversees basic education policy and regulations.