The Academy for Athletic Performance and Excellence (APEX)

APEX Academy Overview

The Academy for Athletic Performance and Excellence (APEX) will be launched at the New Oakville Secondary School. APEX is designed to provide an integrated academic and athletic pathway for competitive student-athletes starting in September 2027.

APEX is a regional program, open to all students in Ontario.

The Academy of Athletic Performance & Excellence (APEX)

APEX is a four-year* full-time integrated academic and athletic pathway designed for competitive student-athletes.  

The Core Program Pillars:

Flexible Academic Scheduling

  • Customized learning plans accommodating training and competition with academic priorities.

Athletic Performance & Recovery

  • Targeted strength, conditioning, agility and athletic growth in both classroom and team environments.

Mindset & Health

  • Integrated sports psychology, athletic nutrition and injury prevention strategies within clustered APEX courses.

Academic & College/University Prep

  • Specialized and challenging academics to ensure a strong foundation for collegiate athletics (NCAA, USPORTS, CCAA) as well as post-secondary degree and diploma programs in sports management, kinesiology and sports marketing. 

APEX students will be clustered in select Grade 9 and 10 courses in Health & Physical Education and Careers. The intent for Grade 11 and 12 APEX students is to be part of a Sport SHSM Program.

Please note: HDSB does not provide transportation for APEX.

*Grade 10 students in the school’s inaugural year (2027-2028) will have a three-year APEX experience.

Additional Information

  • Self-identified competitive athletes who want to engage in athletics and academics with an athletic mindset
  • Competitive athletes who compete at the provincial or national level

  • Students are prepared for a $30 billion Canadian sports industry through a focus on performance technology, data analytics and sport science.
  • Clustered Health & Physical Education courses in Grades 9 and 10
  • Clustered career courses in Grade 10 to support career-readiness and post-secondary destinations, scholarships and athletic profiles

The intent is for students to enter a Sports SHSM for Grades 11 and 12. Potential course offerings include: 

  • Sports Marketing
  • Sports Management
  • Sports Psychology
  • Kinesiology
  • Leadership in Sports and Data Management (Sports Analytics) to ensure professional readiness.

To accommodate rigorous training and travel, the program utilizes flexible timetabling which can include eLearning courses, allowing athletes flexibility within their training and competition schedules.

An optional supervised study hall is provided to help athletes manage the heavy cognitive load of balancing elite sports with their education, helping to develop the needed organizational skills (task prioritization, time management, communication and self-advocacy) required to succeed as a student-athlete. 

The school will be host to three gymnasiums, a fitness/weight room, practice field and a turf field with a dome.

​2026-2027​​ APEX Key Dates

Oct. 26, 2026 – APEX Livestream
Oct. 30, 2026 – Online Application Opens
Nov. 30, 2026 – Online Application Closes at 11:59 p.m.
Dec. 4, 2026 – APEX offers sent to successful applicants
Dec. 11, 2026 – Last date for students to accept a spot in the program