About the Gaming Academy

In partnership with Gaming Stadium Esports the North Vancouver School District is excited to offer British Columbia's first secondary enhanced program focused on the business of gaming. 

The Business and Gaming Entrepreneurship Lab will provide students learning opportunities from industry leading professional with years of experience in the business of gaming. The Business and Gaming Entrepreneurship Lab will provide students with grade-level Applied Design, Skills and Technologies credits for Business Education and Information and Communication Technology towards graduation.

The Business and Gaming Entrepreneurship Lab would be open to all students regardless of experience in gaming. Interested students will have optional opportunities to connect with industry professional as well as Career Education Work Experience placements related to the production and organization of gaming events and content. Students interested in advancing in this area can, through the program's connection to The Gaming Stadium and Volcanic Media, discover pathways from secondary school to post-secondary institutions and/or employment in the technology/industrial sector in North Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

The program consists of a curriculum as set out by Ministry of Education. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn up to of 12 grade-level credits (per year) in  a variety of Applied Design, Skills and Technology courses: Possible credits in the following:

Who can Participate?

Selection for the Gaming Academy

The total number of spots available in the program depends on the number of returning students, the number of applications received, and the ability of schools to organize the school timetable to meet enrolment and programming requirements.

Priority 1: Returning students

Priority 2: Wait-listed students from the previous year

Priority 3: Lottery for remaining students consistent with Board Policy 605: Admission of Students to Schools.

Location/Schedule

The Business and Gaming Entrepreneurship Lab is located at Handsworth Secondary School.*

This academy is schedule to take place everyday after lunch, and operates on a linear schedule. 

*Transportation to and from the Academy site is the sole responsibility of the student and/or parent/guardian.​

Fees

The total cost* for the Business and Gaming Entrepreneurship Lab is $1221 for the 2023-24 school year.

Deposit: To confirm a student's registration and secure placement in the Academy for the 2023-24 school year, a non-refundable deposit of $122 is required by the deadline stated in acceptance letters . Please Note: Non-payment by the deadline will result in automatic withdrawal from the Academy.

Remaining Fee: Parents/Guardians may pay the remaining balance in full or set-up instalments any time between the offer of acceptance and August 2023 through School Cash Online. Please Note: Failure to pay the balance in full or set up instalments by the deadline will result in automatic withdrawal from the Academy.

A limited number of bursaries are available for this Academy.

*An additional Programming Fee of approximately $1971.25 may apply to out-of-district students.

Ready to Apply?

New and returning academy students must complete the online application via School Cash Online. Applications will be accepted from January 27th, 2023 to February 27th, 2023.

International students can contact international@sd44.ca to apply.

Out-of-district applicants can contact academies@sd44.ca to receive an application link.

Questions?

If you have any questions about The Business and Gaming Entrepreneurship Lab, please contact academies@sd44.ca. 

We look forward to hearing from you!