District Academies

Name: Quw’utsun Secondary School Rugby Academy
Partner: McDowell Rugby www.macdowellrugby.ca
Location: Quw’utsun Secondary School in gym and fields
Information: 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 Quw’utsun 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 Quw’utsun Secondary School Quw’utsun Secondary School (sd79.bc.ca)

Name: Cowichan Valley Performing Arts Academy
Partner: Cowichan Valley Open Learning Cooperative (CVOLC) | The Grove Open Learning – https://grovecvol.sd79.bc.ca/ and Adage Dance Academy adagestudio.com
Location: Adage Dance Studio
Information: 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.

Name: Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Outdoor Adventure Academy
Partners: Run through the FKSS Physical & Health Education Department with specialist trainers brought in for different activities
Location: FKSS school and outdoor areas across Vancouver Island
Information: 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 Frances Kelsey Secondary School (sd79.bc.ca)

Name: Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Equestrian Academy
Partners: MillShaw Meadows https://www.millshaw.com/
Location: MillShaw Meadows stables
Information: Providing 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 PHE 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 Frances Kelsey Secondary School (sd79.bc.ca)

Name: Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Ice Hockey Academy
Partner: FKSS Physical & Health Education Department with outside specialist coaches as needed.
Location: Kerry Park Ice Arena and FKSS School
Information: Designed for students in grades 8-12 who want to improve their ice hockey skills. Students meet daily over one semester for their PHE program. It is a combination of on ice classes and fitness training at the school.
Other details: Academy cost is $1,565 per year and there is assistance available for those students needing support with the fees. Register online at www.rpmhockey.com.

Name: Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Soccer Academy
Partner: 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: FKSS in the gym and fields
Information: 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 Frances Kelsey Secondary School (sd79.bc.ca)

Name: Frances Kelsey Secondary School (FKSS) Trails Academy
Partner: Cowichan Regional District and Malahat Nation
Location: Frances Kelsey Secondary, Cobble Hill Mountain and other outdoor areas in the Cowichan Valley
Information: Students from grades 10 to 12 can take their PHE 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

Name: Frances Kelsey Secondary School Fine Arts Academy
Partner: Run by the Theatre and Art departments at FKSS
Location: FKSS School
Information: 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

Name: Frances Kelsey Secondary School Computer Studies Academy
Partner: Vancouver Island University and Apple Canada
Location: FKSS School
Information: Students take their Math and Computer Studies classes through this program in grades 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.

Cowichan Valley Schools offer District Academies that allow students choice and flexibility to focus their learning in specific areas.