École Highland Secondary School

CATT Information

The academy is a new and unique concept, a "School Without Walls" designed to prepare students for the world's fastest growing industry.

Highland Secondary School was one of four schools across Canada selected to be Founding Pilots for the new Canadian Academy of Travel and Tourism.

Other selected pilot sites were:

• Auburn Drive Secondary (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)
• Cairine Wilson Secondary (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Terry Fox Secondary (Coquitlam, BC)
  

During 1996/1997, six additional pilot sites were chosen in six other provinces. Academies of Tourism also came to exist internationally in nine other countries:

• United Kingdom
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Russia
• USA
• Mexico
• Ireland
• Brazil
• France

On March 5th and 6th of 1996, teachers, industry representatives and Ministry of Education officials representing the three Founding Pilot provinces met in Vancouver. The result was agreement to:

• Match Academy curriculum to National Occupational Standards
  (set by industry)
• Link students to other Academy students across Canada and internationally (via Internet and through exchanges).
• Foster employment prospects and ease of entrance to Colleges and Universities

Any student enrolled in a Tourism or Tourism-related Career Preparation Program at Highland is eligible to apply for Academy status.

Now, in 2007, Canadian Academy Gold Schools number 20 across Canada, while the Global Travel & Tourism Partnership also continues to grow.

Highland is the only Academy Gold school on Vancouver Island.

Contact Information:

Dave Ingram
Academy Coordinator
Phone: (250) 339-5525
Fax: (250) 339-0832
E-Mail: