Grande Prairie Skill Academy

In September 2010, we opened our first Edge program outside of the Calgary area - launching Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie. Imagine getting the best of what Edge has to offer right in your hometown! Hockey, Dance, Strength & Conditioning, Leadership, Transferable Skills, Edgeway!

Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie is part of an overall strategic partnership with the Grande Prairie Public School District (GPPSD). We are working with GPPSD to deliver exceptional programming to select Grande Prairie schools. Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie is based at Alexander Forbes School and is available to students in Grades 4 through 12. Students in french immersion at École Parkside participate in the Edge School program as of the 2011-12 school year. Over 90 students are registered for this thriving program for 2011-12, an increase of almost 40% over the inaugural year.

Edge has been providing a passion-based education to student-athletes in the Calgary area since 1999, integrating academics, athletics and character-building.

We are very excited about offering skill academies in Hockey and Dance to Grande Prairie student-athletes.

Our Program

• Who can attend Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie?
  

Students enroled at the schools Alexander Forbes School, the Grande Prairie Composite High and École Parkside are eligible to attend Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie. Arrangements are in place for program integration and intra-day transportation for students attending these schools.

• What skill academies will be offered for the 2012-13 school year?

HOCKEY and DANCE for student athletes in Grades 4 through 12

• Who is the Program Director for Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie? What is his background?

We are privileged to have Brett Stephenson server as our Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie Program Director. Brett is passionate, enthusiastic, an exceptional leader and a highly regarded hockey coach and teacher. Brett has an extensive sport background including elite level hockey playing (Red Deer College) and coaching AJHL and Midget AAA. Read his complete bio here »

Scroll down this page to read more on the core staff of the Grande Prairie program.

• What kind of student-athletes attend Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie?

Student-athletes attending Edge are passionate about their sport, are average to above-average in school and in their sport, and are of good character.

• What is the curriculum of these skill academies?

The curriculum is that developed since 1999 at Edge School. These programs are designed to help children develop self-confidence and leadership as well as an effective skill set in both life (transferable skills) and in their sport. In otherwords, the Edgeway! Leadership skills such as goal-setting, effective communication, humility, dignity, proper attitude and inner strength. Transferable skills – such as time management, self-advocacy, empathy and a deeper understanding of themselves and their community. Emphasis is on individual skill development – the fundamentals of these sports.

• Hockey – skating, puck handling, shooting, passing, checking.
• Dance – technique in classical and contemporary as well as specific dance genres, balance and strength.
• Strength and conditioning training, nutrition, sports medicine.

• What are the differences between these skill academies and those programs provided by Edge School in Calgary?

The programs in both Grande Prairie and Calgary are based on the same guiding principles:

• Student-athletes are passionate about their sport.
• We enable student-athletes to use that passion to succeed in sports, school and character-building.
• We emphasize individual skill development in the classroom, on the playing fields and in life.

Edge (Grande Prairie) student-athletes still attend their primary school (Alexander Forbes, Composite High School or École Parkside). This means they are in regular classrooms in their school, but also participate in Edge School athletic and character-building programs, which are integrated into their daily schedule.

Edge School in Calgary has a complete teaching, coaching and administrative staff to deliver its full programming within the Edge School campus, a 170,000 square foot academic and athletic facility completed in 2008.

• What is the cost of these skill academies?

$3,700 program fee for each skill academy. This fee covers all expected costs of the academy (coaching, classroom time, ice costs, intra-day transportation between the sports venues and the school). Additional costs would include any out-of-town academy-related trips, etc.

• When and how are these skill academy sessions be scheduled?

They are scheduled during school hours and are an integral part of the school day. Generally on-ice, on-field or dance studio sessions are about 4 – 6 hours weekly depending on how the sessions are scheduled. Leadership and transferrable skills are about 1 - 2 hours weekly.

• Will there be a need-based financial assistance program available for Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie students?

Yes, a limited need-based financial assistance program is available. Families complete and submit a detailed application to our Financial Assistance committee. For further questions and answers regarding the financial assistance process, please contact Edge Business Manager Dave Jackson at 403 246 6432 ext. 116 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Where is Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prarie located (base of operations)?

Alexander Forbes School – 7240 Poplar Drive, Grande Prairie T8V 5A6

• Where are the admin office located?

Admin Offices are at Edge School (Calgary) - 33055 Township Road 250 Calgary T3Z 1L4

• Where can I obtain information on the various skill academies offered?

Edge School Student Support Team    403-246-6432 ext. 120
Alexander Forbes School’s offices     780-532-1365 ext. 2324

APPLICATION PROCESS

Once you make the decision to attend Edge School Skill Academy Grande Prairie, the application process is as follows:

1 APPLICATION. Please complete this package in its entirety and submit to the school with appropriate deposits, fees and required documentation.

2 ASSESSMENTS – Academic and Athletic. As a part of the academic assessment process, prospective students are currently asked to write the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT). Once your completed application is received, we will contact you to book a time to write this test on one of the designated assessment dates. The athletic assessment is conducted with one of our sport directors and includes an evaluation of your athletic abilities.

3 PERSONAL INTERVIEW. Students meeting entrance requirements will be contacted to schedule a personal interview with a member of our Admissions team. Parent(s) and the prospective student are interviewed.

4 ACCEPTANCE. Parents are notified by phone and in writing of acceptance. Upon acceptance, the fee deposit becomes non-refundable and the remaining program fees are due in accordance with the fee schedule.