Academics
Our education model is based on trying to have the flexibility to meet the diverse preferences of our families. The path is broken into three basic structures, though we remain a small enough organization that we can often adapt to individual case needs.
1) Full time CATS student
2) 6 month student enrolled in NAHA's school
3) Online or other unique arrangement
overview
Full time CATS student
As a full time CATS student the player arrives in early September, enrolls at CATS, and remains on campus for the entirety of the school year (typically wrapping up in late May). All of her classes will be taught by CATS teachers and report cards, transcripts, and ultimately a diploma will be issued by CATS. She will be a full participant in NAHA hockey activities during the season and also have the opportunity to participate in on and off ice training with coaches before and after the season. Additionally the student will have access to all of NAHA's academic resources throughout the year should she wish to have that additional support. This model most closely represents a typical "Prep School" model, however both the intensity of the hockey development and the level of competition and exposure far exceeds any typical "Prep School" from a hockey standpoint.
6 month student
This is the classic sport season academy education model whereby the student begins her school year at her home high school then transfers to NAHA once the hockey season begins, typically the end of September or the beginning of October. The student boards on campus for the duration of the season and attends a class schedule taught at the academy which is designed to match the courses the student had been taking while at her home high school. The North American Hockey Academy school is a recognized independent high school in the state of Massachusetts and provides instruction, grades, credits, and transcripts for its students. The school shuts down at the conclusion of the hockey season, typically in March or early April, and then the student returns to her home high school to complete her school year. Because of this arrangement NAHA does not award any diplomas, however credits earned at NAHA are submitted to the student's home high school and the NCAA. The 6 month student format allows players to be with their families for more of the year and give them an opportunity to play spring sports at their home high school. Classes taught at the NAHA school are split between standard existing CATS classes and teachers (such as US History or Algebra II), and more specialized classes taught by NAHA teachers in small settings in an almost tutor-like environment. Curriculums are gathered from all of the 6 months student's home high schools to ensure the same material is covered in their corresponding classes while at NAHA.