The school board is opening the door for specialized academies at New Westminster Secondary School, which could include hockey, lacrosse, football or fine arts.
The district passed a motion Tuesday night that will create protocol for initiating specialized academies.
"I like academies. I'm a big believer in academies," superintendent John Gaiptman told the Record. "I think it's really important that kids never feel disenfranchised, that they never feel marginalized, and sometimes you need a hook, and sometimes it's the academies that's the hook."
There has been discussion about some potential academies, but nothing concrete at this point, Gaiptman said.
"Just about every sport you can think of has been kicked around," he said. "What we have said is, if there is a grassroots movement, they can talk to the school; the school will talk to staff, and we will get it going."
Gaiptman came to New Westminster about a year ago. He previously managed the Victoria School District, which, he said, has 13 academies including curling, softball, lacrosse, baseball and soccer.
"Yes, we certainly had a lot of academies, and why not?" he said.
The academies differ from extra-curricular activities in that they are part of a student's courses. For example, if there were a hockey academy at the high school, the student may have a skating course and a weigh-training course during school hours.
"They know of their eight or nine blocks, two of them will be related to something that they truly love to do," Gaiptman explained.
Asked if academies benefit the school district financially because they may attract out-of-district students, Gaitpman said that's not why you do it. The purpose is rather to motivate students to want to be at school.
NWSS currently has a number of successful sports and arts programs, including Hyacks Football and basketball, as well as the beloved music and drama programs, but Gaiptman wants to engage more students.
"I want there to be something for every child in New West Secondary School," he said.
The idea of a hockey academy at the high school has been slapped around before. In 2010, a group of parents and sports supporters put forward a request for a hockey academy, but the proposal never got off the ground.
School board vice-chair Casey Cook said the district has spent the last few years focusing on its dire financial issues. Now that the district seems to be on solid financial footing, trustees can turn more of their attention to educational content, including the development of a gifted program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Cook, who is also commissioner of Western Lacrosse Association, said he would like a balance between arts and athletics.
"There are many different academies out there," he said. "With the new high school coming, I think academies of an arts nature - the performing arts - it's a natural with the presence of the Massey (Theatre) at the high school. With the ice rink there, I think different sports academies would be a natural, but again, it's up to the imagination of the community as to where they would like to go."
