If you build it, they will come.
That’s the philosophy behind five new specialized academies launching at Burnaby’s Cariboo Hill Secondary School next fall.
Starting in September, students will be able to focus extra time on high level volleyball, field lacrosse, video game development, cyber security or Microsoft Office certification, all while attending the east Burnaby high school.
“It really gives a great opportunity for the students to combine their passion with the academics,” trustee Larry Hayes, a Cariboo Hill alumnus, told the NOW, “and the bottom line is trying to keep kids interested and engaged in school.”
The district already offers a number of sports academies (hockey, soccer, swimming, softball) and a variety of career programs at other schools, and Cariboo Hill has plenty of space to host more – a little too much space.
There are 581 students enrolled at the 1,025-seat school this year, putting it at 57 per cent capacity, the lowest it’s been in the last 10 years.
That’s compared to Alpha, Burnaby Central, Burnaby North and Burnaby South, which are all operating above capacity this year.
(Moscrop and Burnaby Mountain are both at 97 per cent, while Byrne Creek is at 86 per cent.)
“Putting these types of programs in, hopefully it’ll really boost the numbers for the school, but, on top of that, more than just the numbers, it’s making more program options available for the kids,” Hayes said.
The academies at Cariboo Hill will be open to students from outside of Cariboo’s catchment as well as to kids from other districts.
In choosing the academies, Hayes said the district picked programs that would be in demand and weren’t already being offered elsewhere.
“If we have kids from New West that might want to come and join our lacrosse academy, that’s great. The more the merrier, and Cariboo, again, has the space,” he said. “All’s fair in love, war and school districts.”
In the past, Hayes said he’s even suggested launching a curling academy at the school, taking advantage of the nearby Royal City Curling Club facilities in New Westminster.
“Who knows? Down the road, that could be something,” he said.
While the numbers aren’t in yet, Hayes said the academies launching next September have already attracted a lot of interest.
“Certainly, from what we’ve seen in terms of inquiries and our career program info days and that sort of thing, there’s been lots of people around the Cariboo table inquiring about these programs, both for the sports and the technology programs,” he said.
The district hosts information sessions about the academies at Cariboo Hill tonight (Wednesday, Feb. 21).
Information about the sports academies will be presented at 6 p.m. Information about the tech academies will follow at 7 p.m.
Cariboo Hill Secondary is located at 8580 16th Ave.
Register at www.Eventbrite.ca. Search for Cariboo Hill.
