Industry News
A traditional school calendar starts in the Fall, runs through winter and spring, and ends at the start of summer. If you or your child has aspirations to be a snow sport athlete, this calendar takes significant time away from prime training season in the winter. However, there is an option for those who prefer to be in school during the skiing offseason and be able to have no school from December to late April. That option is the Winter Sports School in Park City, Utah.
The Winter Sports School (WSS) will welcome 110 student-athletes to its 31st year of operation on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the first day of school. The WSS, founded in 1994, is an instructor-led, college preparatory program for dedicated winter athletes in grades 9 through 12. The academic calendar runs from April through November each year. The WSS is the only public charter high school program in the United States with this academic calendar. Some notable attendees of the school include Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso.
“While most schools across the country are counting the days until summer break, our students are joining us fresh off of their competitive winter season and are ready to put in the necessary time to meet their grade level requirements,” stated Tess Miner-Farra, Head-of-School, Winter Sports School. “There are 24 student-athletes who are active U.S. Ski & Snowboard team members who have benefitted from a tuition-free, college preparatory education at the Winter Sports School since 2014.”
The academic and athletic success of the WSS community over the past thirty years is remarkable. Graduates have won Olympic, World Championship, World Cup, National, Collegiate, and Junior titles in multiple sports. While these athletic results are impressive, the core purpose is to ensure that graduates are prepared to succeed at the college or university of their choice and pursue and live a successful, rewarding adult life.
“The community at the WSS is special because the other student-athletes understand what it is like to push academically and in sport, and they are supportive and helpful as well,” stated Josie Johnson, a senior at the Winter Sports School, a member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Ski Jumping team and recent silver medalist at the Youth Olympic Games. “Finishing my senior year in the next nine months allows me to continue my education, train, and compete year-round while pursuing my dream of becoming an athlete in the upcoming Winter Olympics Games.”
The success of WSS has been tremendous, both academically and athletically. Approximately 93% of WSS alumni go on to a two-year or four-year college or university within two years of graduation. Many of the remaining 7% of WSS graduates are named to junior national and national teams for their respective athletic disciplines, and their results are staggering. As of 2022, the WSS alumni base of approximately 515 individuals has combined to win 222 World Cup Podiums, 82 World Cup Titles, 12 Overall World Cup Titles, 33 World Championship Medals, and 15 Olympic Medals.
The Winter Sports School is in the final phase of a $5 million ‘Reaching New Peaks’ capital campaign project that includes an 8,732-square-foot expansion to the current building, renovations to existing spaces, and the addition of a new amphitheater. The demand for existing school facilities has reached capacity. To date, $2.8 million has been raised, and they are now aggressively pursuing all funding opportunities to raise the remaining $2.2 million necessary to begin the project. As a public charter school, the WSS receives considerably less funding per student than the public school district. The school relies on private contributions to supplement public funds to achieve ambitious educational goals.
To learn more about the Winter Sports School and the Reaching New Peaks Capital Campaign visit www.wintersportsschool.com/reaching-new-peaks.com.
More about Winter Sports School
The Winter Sports School (WSS) in Park City, Utah, founded in 1994, is an instructor-led, college preparatory program for dedicated winter athletes in grades 9 through 12. They are a 501(c)3 nonprofit with an academic calendar running from April through November each year. Students pursue their athletic goals during the winter months without compromising educational goals. The WSS officially began operating as a Utah State Charter School in July 2014. Their mission is to provide students with the tools, support and balance necessary to achieve the highest possible levels of success in education and life. Their vision is to be the leading college-preparatory school for dedicated student-athletes. The WSS reports directly to the Utah State Charter School Board and the Utah State Board of Education. As a State Charter School, they do not receive funds directly from Park City or Summit County property taxes but receive alternate Charter School Local Replacement funding.
