SPECIALTY ACADEMIES

Background

Specialty Academies refer to an educational program that emphasizes a particular sport, activity or subject area and meets the prescribed criteria set out in the School Act and any associated Regulations.

Procedures

1. Secondary school principals are responsible for submitting a proposal for a new Specialty Academy. Initial enquiries should be directed to the Director of Instruction – Learning and Innovation.
2. Students enrolled in a Specialty Academy must have sufficient course credits in their graduation program to meet the requirements for graduation. Specialty Academy courses should contain additional learning outcomes beyond the learning outcomes required by the standard educational program.
3. The District may levy fees to students enrolled in Specialty Academies. The fees will offset the costs incurred by the District for the academy that are in addition to the costs for a standard educational program. For more information see Administrative Procedure 506 - Financial Hardship.
4. The Parents’ Advisory Council will be consulted and will advise the Principal on the proposed Specialty Academy and schedule of fees.
5. Formal requests to the Board for approval of a Specialty Academy must include:
   1. A description of the Specialty Academy.
   2. The course(s) required to complete the academic requirements of the Specialty Academy including a description of the curriculum to be covered, major learning objectives and student assessment criteria.
   3. The course hours of any Specialty Academy courses required in the Specialty Academy Regulation.
   4. That the Parents’ Advisory Council has been consulted on the Specialty Academy; and,
   5. A schedule of any required student fees.