Located in Fort Erie, ON, a border city just minutes away from Western New York, Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA) was founded in 2019 as a Private Secondary School. FEIA will join the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) for the 2024/25 season in the Eastern U17 and U18 divisions, having appeared as a guest team in the CSSHL Eastern Division in 2023/24.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION STATEMENT
At our Hockey Canada Accredited School, our commitment extends beyond the rink. We understand the importance of balancing academics and athletics, and our student-athletes benefit from a comprehensive education that prepares them for success beyond their hockey careers. Our academic curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire, fostering critical thinking and personal growth. We take pride in creating a supportive and motivating environment where student-athletes can thrive. The camaraderie among players, combined with our dedicated coaching and academic staff, forms a tight-knit community that shares a common passion for excellence.
“Doing the right thing allows you to take the proper steps to achieving future goals,” General Manager: Freddie Coccimiglio.
LIST OF TEAMS IN THE CSSHL
- Eastern U17
- Eastern U18
LOCATION AND YEAR THE PROGRAM ENTERED THE CSSHL
We are a border city located in Fort Erie, Ontario, minutes away from Buffalo, New York alongside Lake Erie. 2024/25 will be our first season competing in the CSSHL.
EDUCATION
- Partner School
- Fort Erie International Academy is a private co-educational grade 6-12 boarding school in Fort Erie, ON.
- Our school’s pillars are Academics, Athletics, Pastoral Care, Character Development, and Community.
- We are fully accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
- Approximately 80% of our teachers are (or have been OCT) certified, while others hold advanced degrees
- What are some of the things your program does to provide educational support?
- We offer Academic Support in the Learning Commons every weekday from 3:40 – 4:40 pm. A teacher from each department is scheduled to help students with assessments, catch up on work, and consolidate knowledge.
- Our ESL Department and Specialist teachers provide ESL support. This could be translated documents, extra support in the classroom, and support in the Learning Commons after school
- Approximate class sizes are 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio
- Learning Commons (along with a dedicated Learning Support teacher) is available throughout the school day to provide one-on-one support and assessment supervision.
- We use hybrid learning (D2L) when students travel on the road. Student-athletes can access their classwork, submit assessments, and connect with their teachers.
- How are grades monitored, and how often?
- Formal reporting occurs at midterm and finals (report cards are issued to parents and students)
- Informal reporting (Work Habits & Learning Skills) occurs at the quarter-way point through Progress Reports. Feedback is provided to students daily and weekly. Parents are communicated with by teachers and the Academic Staff on an as-needed basis.
- Our Student Success Team meets monthly to identify students in need (70% or less) and to support them accordingly.
- How are courses and the graduation path for student-athletes chosen?
- Our Guidance Department (Adam Nash) and Student Wellness Coordinator (Lisa Marie Thompson) provide support and resources for students regarding college/university/career planning, course selections, and mental health and well-being. Our Guidance Department creates an Individual Pathway Plan (IPP), meeting with the students periodically throughout the year.
- Do you have an academic probation policy?
- Teachers and the Academic Office flag students with a 70% or below. These students may be required to miss practices, training, and games until their grade(s) improve.
- All communication between Academics and the Athletic Department is streamlined, with all issues about student-athletes going through the Principal, Academic Coordinator, and Director of Hockey Operations
“I am privileged to lead Fort Erie International Academy and the many talented teachers and students here! My goal is to continue to bring passion to education with a commitment to creating a supportive climate and culture at F.E.I.A. conducive to teaching the “Whole Child,” empowering staff & students by creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, implementing meaningful initiatives, and inspiring life-long learning and well-being!” – Principal: William Cockburn
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
- Do you offer a billeting program or a dormitory for non-local student athletes?
- Non-local student athletes stay in a dormitory, which is located on campus and is walking distance to the school. Two students per room and 24 hr security. FEIA also has full time Dorm Leaders to monitor curfew and check ins.
- What kind of life skills to the student athletes learn by living in the dorms or with billets?
- Living in dorms will help our student athletes in their growth on becoming a successful young professional. This allows student athletes to become independent and learn life skills that will help them mature into a well-rounded person. Doing laundry, relationship skills and appreciation of new cultures are all examples of this.
- Fort Erie Academy offers students a new purpose-built, on-campus residence where students live alongside their fellow students and 24/7 staff. The residence is designed to be more than just housing – it’s a true home for students, where they broaden their horizons, make lifelong connections, learn key life skills and much more.
STUDENT ATHLETE HEALTH
- How are injuries and sick student athletes monitored?
- FEIA has full-time Certified Athletic Therapist who work out of main facilities and are easily accessible. They attend all FEIA hockey games where injury assessment, rehabilitation and coverage is provided.
- Injuries:
- Injury is observed by the Athletic Therapist or Coach. Athletic Therapist asses the injury and determines the athlete needs. Athlete gets in for treatment with us to help with their injury, and if no progress is made, we refer them to our sports doctor. The Athletic Therapist is in constant communication with the sports doctor regarding injuries sent to her. Once the athlete is cleared by the sports doctor or Athletic Therapist they return to play. We have a documented system for injuries and treatments. The players check in with us daily in regards to the status of their injuries and we communicate with coaches as to what they can/can’t do.
- Concussions
- If one is suspected, we do a SCAT 6 and refer to a sports doctor for diagnosis. The athlete follows our gradual return to play/school concussion protocol. Before returning to game play they are cleared by a medical doctor.
“We provide individualized treatments plans for our injured athletes and we work hard to provide a safe, comfortable, and inclusive space at FEIA,” Head Athletic: Therapist Kayla VandeKemp CAT and BSc Psychology
“A space where students can voice their thoughts, learn how to manage mental health, and apply it to their everyday lives to equip them for the future,” Student Wellness Coordinator: Lisa Marie Thompson
SCHEDULE
- What days the daily schedule look like for a student athlete in your program?
- Practice 8-930
- Class 10-12pm
- Lunch 12-130pm
- Class 130-3pm
- Workout 330-430pm
- Dinner 5pm
- Study Hall/Video Sessions 6-7pm
- How many games can your teams expect to play?
- We will play a 50-60 game schedule. This will include CSSHL league games, playoffs, exhibition games and 3 major tournaments.
- What does the on and off ice training look like?
- This is a true development program. On-ice skills are focused on daily and outside skill coaches are brought in once a week. FEIA has a full-time strength coach who focuses on speed and agility. He has a designed program that helps student athletes maintain their weight throughout the year.
- Four 90-minute practices per week
- 3 weight room sessions per week
- Breakdown of game video
- Professional and experienced coaches
- New speed and shooting room
- State of the Art weight room
- How long does your program run?
- The FEIA hockey program runs 10 months from September to June. Once our season is complete the players practice 2 times a week and train 2 times a week.
KEY STAFF AND CONTACT INFO
General Manger: Freddie.coccimiglio@feia.ca
U17 Head Coach: Dany.faucher@feia.ca
U18 Head Coach: Derek.bachynski@feia.ca
Principal: William.cockburn@feia.ca
Head Athletic Therapist: kayla.vanderkemp@feia.ca
Student Wellness Coordinator: lisamarie.thompson@feia.ca
Admissions Manager: Trisha.sassi@feia.ca
Academic Director: adam.nash@feia.ca
PRICE
- What is including in the price to attend the program? Breakdown of fees
- Tuition $20,000
- Residence/Meal Plan $19,800
- Hockey Fee $16,500 This includes 2 sticks, all apparel, pants gloves, meals, and hotels when traveling.
CONTACT
- What is the best way to contact the program?
- Website: www.feia.ca
- Email: info@feai.ca
- Social media: @feiahockey, @feia.ca, @FTErieAcademy
- Phone: 1-647-728-7840
