FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caledon, ON [September 8, 2023] – The Hill Academy has opened its doors to a record number of students in the school's history with over 230 students across kindergarten and grades 4 through 12.
The Caledon-based independent school is excited for the beginning of the school year, with eyes on future growth to a full enrolment of all grades from K-12 next year. The unique offering at The Hill Academy offers a complimentary program, balancing the rigours of a private school education with the schedule needed to pursue high performance athletics.
"Sport is more than a competitive activity" Athletic Director, Brodie Merrill said. "it’s a laboratory for life, and the skills developed here help every student realize their full potential." Merrill continued. "Many studies have shown the connection between physical activity and cognitive skills such as concentration and attention. The benefits of physical literacy in relation to mental, social and physical well-being are significant, and this is the basis of what makes this school so special."
For the 2023-24 academic year, The Hill Academy will have its academic offering divided into kindergarten (JK and SK), junior school (Gr. 4-8) and senior school (Gr. 9-12, including post-grad). Students from The Hill Academy are regularly graduating to schools such as Yale, Georgetown, Harvard, Dartmouth, Duke, Cornell, and other top Universities across the NCAA and U Sports. The addition of a kindergarten program ensures future students can complete their full Elementary and Secondary educational journey at The Hill Academy.
KINDERGARTEN
The Hill Academy will welcome its youngest students to the campus for the first-ever, The Hill Early Years program. Students will experience a low student to teacher ratio, play-based kindergarten program following the Ontario curriculum. The combined junior and senior kindergarten class will have exposure to learn to skate, learn to swim, daily outdoor education, STEAM, French, and a connection to the older students at the school.
"We're so excited for our first kindergarten class to begin" said Casey Kirkpatrick, Director, Early Years. "A positive self-concept will be stressed as children learn to be successful. Our educators will guide in the creation of a setting that will nurture growth, exploration and independence. Outdoor education, mindfulness, introduction to sport, music, and creative movement will enrich the program."
ATHLETICS
The Hill Academy will be led by the success of the lacrosse program, who will be defending their National Prep Championship title as the top prep lacrosse program in North America. The world class coaching available at The Hill Academy will focus on continuing to carry the moniker of the number one boys and girls lacrosse program in Canada, with a staff that includes Carly Quinn (Girls - Head Coach), Tory Merrill (Girls - Asst. Coach), Jeff Teat (Junior School - Head Coach), Graeme Hossack (Boys Varsity - Head Coach), Riley Thompson (Boys Prep - Offensive Coordinator), Luc Magnan (Boys Prep - Defensive Coordinator), and Brodie Merrill (Head Coach & General Manager, Lacrosse).
The hockey program proudly introduces its first-ever Hockey Canada sanctioned U14 AAA team, complimenting the Prep, Varsity, Selects and Junior Development program. Under the guidance of Ryan Toomey, Hockey General Manager, the coaching staff will include Travis Wight (Prep - Head Coach), Brett Robinson (U18 - Asst. Coach), John Siskos (Development - Head Coach), Mark Biesenthal (Asst. Coach), and Carsen Chubak (Goalie Development).
"Although it's Lacrosse and Hockey that we're most well-known for, we believe there is an extremely bright future for our students in the Foundations of Sport program" Drazen Glisic, Director of Sports Science and Athlete Performance said. "Foundations is such a great name for the program, because these kids are really building the foundation of an athletic lifestyle, playing multiple sports and building confidence and competence when participating in physical activity".
The Hill Golf will be partnering with The Pulpit Club, which features two of the top 25 golf courses in Canada in The Pulpit and The Paintbrush. The Hill Golf athletes will be guided by Head Teaching Professional and former OPGA Teacher of the Year Scott Cowx and his team of instructors.
In addition to Lacrosse, Hockey, Golf and Foundations of Sport, The Hill Academy will continue to grow the HyFlex Program which enables student-athletes a flexible academic schedule based around their competitive needs.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Hill Academy would like to welcome to the community to the following open events in the coming weeks:
Friday, September 8, 1pm at Teen Ranch (The Ice Corral) U18 Prep vs. Academie Ste-Ceclie
Wednesday, September 13, 7:30pm at Legacy Field (20490 Porterfield Rd) Prep Lacrosse vs. Western *please bring a food donation item for Caledon Community Services
Lacrosse Fast Facts:
#1 Girl’s Lacrosse Program in Canada
#1 Boy’s Lacrosse Program in Canada
2023 National Prep Champions USA
8 High School Under Armour All Americans – I think we have more I’d put over a dozen
100+ NCAA Captains
45+ All Americans
2 x Geico National High School Lacrosse Champions
25 Alumni named to Canada’s National Men’s Team
18 Alumni named to Canada’s National Women’s Team
Hockey Fast Facts:
#1 North America’s premiere hockey program for student-athletes
25+ Alumni currently playing in the NHL
20+ Alumni currently playing in the OHL
15 First round OHL Draft picks
5 Current alumni rated as NHL top prospects
2 OHL First overall picks
65+ Hill alumni have received Division 1 hockey scholarships
About The Hill Academy
The Hill Academy was founded in 2006 in order to provide optimal academic and athletic programming for dedicated student-athletes. Located in Caledon, ON, just 45 minutes north of Toronto, The Hill campus sits on 134 acres of beautifully forested land. The campus offers students bright classrooms, daily outdoor education, a state-of-the-art athletic training experience, Hill Performance gym facilities, running and hiking trails, new turf field, exclusive off-site rink access, and an expansive boarding complex.
Graduates from The Hill have been placed in some of the most prestigious academic and athletic institutions in the world. The Hill Academy is an institution for students who are committed to striving academically, and who would like an opportunity to take an in-depth exploration into their respective sport.
For more information, visit www.thehillacademy.com and follow on social media: Instagram @thehillacademy, X (Twitter) @thehillacademy, and Facebook @thehillacademy1845
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