Wilkes-Barre Area High School is set to introduce an innovative Athletic Academy, providing student-athletes with an opportunity to explore sports-related education alongside their training. This initiative will allow participants to engage in courses, consult with nutritionists, and dedicate up to 90 minutes of their school day to physical training.
Launching in the upcoming fall semester, the Athletic Academy will become the fourth specialized track available to students within the high school, joining the existing academies focused on performing arts, business, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
The establishment of these academies is part of a broader strategy to redefine the high school experience, according to district officials. The school, situated in Plains Township and operational since 2021 following the merger of the district’s three high schools, currently serves approximately 2,000 students.
“By having these different academies, these kids want to be here,” said Corry Hanson, athletic director. “When a kid wants to be at school, it’s a whole different animal.”
Sarah Hofius Hall
/
WVIA News
Understanding the Academy Concept
Structured similarly to magnet schools, Wilkes-Barre’s academies offer specialized educational opportunities within the public school system, yet function as part of the high school rather than as separate entities.
“It really gives the students an opportunity to test the waters. That’s what high school is all about,” explained Colleen Robatin, the 12th-grade principal.
Through these academies, students can explore various interests and potentially avoid unnecessary expenses in college by narrowing down their career preferences early on, Robatin noted. “We’re giving them every opportunity that we can here,” she added. “So it’s very exciting.”
Participation in an academy has shown to improve students’ GPAs across all subjects and reduce disciplinary issues, as students who disrupt can be removed from the program, district officials report.
Superintendent Brian Costello emphasized the benefits of this approach: “We’re trying to create a different type of environment where if students want to be here … and we give them opportunities that they’re excited about, then everything else just becomes better.” He also mentioned that there are minimal additional costs associated with the academies, as the staffing requirements remain unchanged from a traditional curriculum.
Details of the Athletic Academy
The Athletic Academy will operate on a trimester schedule, aligning with sports seasons. Students will engage in a range of classes such as sports broadcasting, statistics in sports, kinesiology, and sports management. Nutritionists will provide guidance on optimal nutrition, and students will undergo daily physical training.
During their sports season, students will benefit from 60 minutes of school-based training each day, extending to 90 minutes when they are out of season. This training will encompass various activities including weightlifting, swimming, pilates, and yoga.
Initially, the academy will accommodate 30 students from grades nine through twelve, with plans for future expansion. Participants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, possess a clean attendance and behavior record, and complete an application process.
“It’s really all about the academics and about pointing them in a direction that they may want to go,” stated Michael Grebeck, a principal at the high school.
