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The ¹û¶³´«Ã½, in partnership with a number of organization, offers District Academies to students both within, and beyond, the Cowichan Valley. The various District Academies offer students exceptional choice and the ability to focus their learning in specific areas of interest led by specialists in that field. The following information highlights the various District Academies in the ¹û¶³´«Ã½.

Rugby

Name of Academy – Cowichan Secondary School Rugby Academy

Partner agency (and website) – McDowell Rugby

Location of Academy – Cowichan Secondary School in gym and fields

Information on Academy – The goal of the program is to improve rugby skill development and prepare students for more opportunities going forward in rugby. This is a year long program.

Other details  – The Cowichan Secondary Rugby Academy was founded in 2021. It is a multi grade program available to all students including those from other areas as there is a homestay option for those coming to Cowichan. The fee schedule of $550 per month or $5,500 for the school year. For International students the fee continues to be $1,500 per month. There is assistance available for those students needing support with the fees. Register by contacting Cowichan Secondary School

Performing Arts

Name of Academy – Cowichan Valley Performing Arts Academy

Partner agency – Cowichan Valley Open Learning Cooperative (CVOLC) and Adage Dance Academy

Location of Academy – Students work from the Adage Dance Studio

Information on Academy – This is a year long program where students from grades 8-12 who are passionate about dance spend parts of each day in the dance studio and are supported in completing their course via the Grove distributed learning program.

Other details  – Registration is through Adage Dance Studio or the Grove School. The cost is $425 per month over the 10 month school year and there is assistance available for students who need support with the fees.

Outdoor Adventure

Name of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Outdoor Adventure Academy

Partner agency – Run through the FKSS Physical Education Department with specialist trainers brought in for different activities

Location of Academy – FKSS school and outdoor areas across Vancouver Island

Information on Academy  – This academy meets daily over one semester. It is designed for students in grades 11 and 12 to have an experiential education through participation in a variety of place-based outdoor activities. Students will gain outdoor skills, knowledge, health and wellness benefits, self-confidence, and lifetime memories as they safely work together and engage in an assortment of outdoor adventures.

Other details  – the cost is $1,100 per year and there is assistance available for those students needing support with the fees. Register by contacting Frances Kelsey Secondary

Equestrian

Name of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Equestrian Academy

Partner agency  – MillShaw Meadows

Location of Academy – MillShaw Meadows stables

Information on Academy – the goal of the academy is to provide students with experiential education through participation in equestrianism. To see students gain skills, knowledge, health and wellness benefits, and self-confidence. This is open to grade 11 and 12 students as they receive PE credits by completing this course which meets daily over one semester.

Other details – the cost is $3,000 per year and there is assistance available for those students needing support with the fees. Register by contacting Frances Kelsey Secondary

Ice Hockey

Name of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Ice Hockey Academy

Partner agency – run by the FKSS Physical Education Department with outside specialist coaches as needed

Location of Academy – Kerry Park Ice Arena and FKSS School

Information on Academy – this academy is designed for students in grades 8-12 who want to improve their ice hockey skills. Students meet daily over one semester for their PE program. It is a combination of on ice classes and fitness training at the school.

Other details  – the cost is $450 per year and there is assistance available for those students needing support with the fees. Register by contacting Frances Kelsey Secondary

Soccer

Name of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Soccer Academy

Partner agency – run internally at FKSS. The school brings in sessional instructors and coaches as needed from organizations such as the Cowichan Valley Soccer Assoc or the WAVE in Victoria

Location of Academy – FKSS in the gym and fields

Information on Academy  – this is open to all students at FKSS as an opportunity to further develop their soccer skills. The program meets daily for a semester each year.

Other details ( – the cost is $300 per year and there is assistance available for those students needing support with the fees. Register by contacting Frances Kelsey Secondary

Trails

Name of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Trails Academy

Partner agencies  – Cowichan Regional District and Malahat Nation

Location of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary, Cobble Hill Mountain and other outdoor areas in the Cowichan Valley

Information on Academy – In this program students from grades 10 to 12 can take their PE and Social Studies courses via an outdoor program that combines classroom learning with hands on experiences such as trail building, orienteering, frisbee golf and hiking. It runs daily over one semester each year

Other details  – There is no cost to this program and students register by selecting it on their annual course selection sheets at FKSS

Fine Arts

Name of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School Fine Arts Academy

Partner agency – Run by the Theatre and Art departments at FKSS

Location of Academy – FKSS School

Information on Academy – Students from grades 9-12 are able to choose this academy option that combines their Art class and Theatre class over one semester. Students prepare a full scale play performance and support it by using their Art time for set design and costumes.

Other details  – There is no cost to this program and students register by selecting it on their annual course selection sheets at FKSS

Computer Studies

Name of Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School Computer Studies Academy

Partner agency  – Vancouver Island University and Apple Canada

Location of Academy – FKSS School

Information on Academy – Students take their Math and Computer Studies classes through this program in grade 11 or 12 as the Math course tailors the learning to support computer programming. Students who complete the VIU and Apple Canada assessments receive further credits at post secondary and certifications.

Other details  – There is no cost to this program and students register by selecting it on their annual course selection sheets at FKSS.