Strathmore High School to offer collegiate of digital arts and eSports programs
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Beginning in September, Strathmore High School students will have access to three newly formed collegiate of digital arts and esports programs.
The Alberta government has budgeted $27.5 million in 2025 to support collegiate program expansion, which includes $6 million for operating costs, and $21.5 million for school improvements for 16 new, and four improved collegiate schools.
“There are basically three different pathways that can happen, and we are going to try all three of those. The first one is game design and 3D art for games,” said Jeff Grimsdale, superintendent of schools for Golden Hills School Division. “Then there’s the second one, introduction to eSports and production and broadcast in eSports, and the third one is introduction into animation and the internet of things. It is a partnership with Strathmore High School and Bow Valley College.”
Grimsdale explained the school division has had a number of conversations over the last several years, observing the growing business of eSports, and looking at Bow Valley College’s workspace which has been utilized for the subject matter.
The idea is to utilize both a newly established space within Strathmore High School, the existing lab at Bow Valley, and connections to industry to provide students with a dual credit elective.
Enrollment in the classes would contribute simultaneous credits to both high school and post-secondary education.
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“We are constructing a learning lab [at Strathmore High School] right now that will have a number of stations there, and we will also go to Bow Valley to use their facility there. It is quite an impressive facility that they have there, from beginning of production of an eSports tournament to the end and all of the marketing and promotional pieces that go into that,” said Grimsdale. “Right now, we are looking between, for the first year, to get 20 to 35 students, but there will be room to grow for sure.”
The province described via a release, the purpose of collegiate courses is to connect classroom learning with real world careers by offering students hands-on experience and direct pathways to post-secondary education and employment.
The expansion of access to collegiate schools is part of the province’s goal to improve career pathways, and help students transition into post-secondary education, or careers following their graduation.
“Collegiate schools help students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world careers. By expanding this model, we are ensuring young Albertans can access specialized training, explore in-demand careers and graduate with a clear path to further education and meaningful employment,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of education and childcare.
According to Grimsdale, prior to the subject matter of the collegiate programs being decided for Strathmore High School, surveys had been distributed amongst students to gauge interest in potential programs to be offered.
The programs are currently in the design phase in order to establish the curriculum to be taught. Additionally, GHSD is in the ordering process for computers, machinery and infrastructure to set up the learning lab for the collegiate programs.
He added the program will continue to be made available through the school as long as student interest is maintained and it is sustainably viable to offer.
Grimsdale did not disclose how much in grant funding the GHSD was able to acquire from the province. According to a release, each school was eligible for up to $150,000 in base funding, and $500 per student in their first year for administrating support and operational start-up costs.
Additionally, up to $100,000 per lab, and $2,500 per student was potentially available for furniture, equipment, and space modifications.
A total of 35 student workstations are to be established in the renovated learning lab at Strathmore High School to support the collegiate programs.