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Signature Academics

Sports and Leadership

Signature Program | Sports Leadership

Keeping bodies and minds active, a fantastic blend of sports and leadership! An opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills in context and across a variety of sports. Leadership is weaved throughout the program, with students in this program expected to participate in school-wide opportunities to put their leadership in action, such as refereeing lunch time intramural games, leading groups during events3, taking the lead for student-of-the-day visits, rallying House teams, and so on.

Sports and Leadership Signature Program Courses

Students are provided with an opportunity to have a go at several common and less common sports, exposing them to a variety of new skills, developing individual strengths and growing their leadership in a friendly competitive environment.
Grade specific course schedule is followed with an additional 3 periods added for sports and leadership.

  • Soccer
  • Ball hockey
  • Volley-ball
  • Kayaking
  • Golf
  • Rock climbing
Music

Signature Program | Music

Students with a keen interest in music have an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skill through a music concentration program. Both highly advanced and absolute beginners will appreciate this opportunity. The mechanics of music and history of musical development will come alive through performing classically familiar tunes, current favorite songs and innovative, unique pieces. The creative process is nurtured while composing original works.

Grade specific course schedule is followed with an additional 3 periods added for music.

Musical Activities

(students may choose their instruments*)

  • Acoustic Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Piano
  • Keyboards (variety of sounds)
  • Bass Guitar
  • Percussion
  • Drums (full set)
  • Voice

*Students are also welcome to bring in instruments of their choice. However, at least one instrument played in real-time and in collaboration with peers, rather than only solo.

Students
  • Choose songs to play
  • Write songs to play
  • Perform
  • Record
  • Train their ear
  • Learn to arrange
  • Benefit from professional musicians sharing their experiences
The program includes
  • 3-4 practices a week
  • Local performances at school events
  • 1 public concert performance a year
Hockey

Signature Program | Somang-NSA Hockey Development Program

North Star Academy Laval is proud to be part of the Somang Hockey Development Program. Somang Hockey prides itself developing skilled hockey players who travel the world to participate in specialized camps, schools, programs and leagues in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

Members of the hockey program benefit from the opportunity to learn and develop under one of the best technical coaches in North America – Francois Landreville. With over 50 games a year and 5 practices a week, these teams are a growing force in the hockey world.

Hockey player students are supported at NSA with a flexible schedule, with all course materials made available online and with after school tutoring available each day for them to keep up with their studies.

Benefits

The Somang-NSA Development Program helps players hone their hockey skills by offering daily training sessions built around their school schedules.

Players are able to further develop their game sense and game management skills from both a physical and mental stamina through a heavy game schedule of over 50 games per season.

Somang also focuses on helping their athletes develop the leadership and fortitude required in both sports and life, so that whether they are face with game losses or difficult times, they have developed positive strategies to push past these moments.

Hockey Signature Program Courses
  • Français
  • Advisory/Ethics
  • Geography
  • Art/Drama
  • Science
  • Math
  • Physical and Health Education

Please contact Somang Hockey directly for complete details at 514-779-9401 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Signature Community Connections

Academic Contests

Every year our students take part in Academic Contests in a variety of academic areas. These contests enrich what is taught in the classroom, challenge the students and allow them to compete on a provincial and national levels.

Parlons Mieux

North Star Academy Laval students participate each year in the 34th edition of the poetry contest Mouvement Parlons Mieux. Students from all levels submit their creations and compete against the rest of the province. Each year, we have students who are chosen as finalists from thousands across the province.

Waterloo contests- Fermat, Cayley, Pascal

Each year, NSA students participate in the nationwide Waterloo Math contest. This national contest offers a challenging take on simple mathematical concepts, with 25 multiple choice questions that can stump even the brightest math students. Last year, we had 6 students score over 100 points, which is an amazing feat!

Science Fair

Each year, all of the students participate in our school science fair. Their projects showcase student ingenuity and creativity, and of course their passion for science. Three groups from each grade are awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, with the top project overall going to the McGill Science fair to compete for our school.

Speak Up

Each year, North Star Academy students attends the EMSB's annual Speak Up Montreal! spoken word competition at Marymount High School. We have had our students win this competition and others place amongst the top speakers in the region. This wonderful platform allows students to express their ideas and thoughts freely.

Academic Outings (Educational outings)

Through our Community Connections, North Star Academy Laval seeks to create well-educated individuals who become active citizens of the world- starting with the communities around them.
Bringing the world to our students and our students to the world is a key focus of the Academy.
As part of this initiative to inspire critical thinking and global citizenship within our students, educational field trips are an important part of our teaching practices. Through these outings, students experience real life applications of their in class pedagogy allowing them to make connections that make learning all that much more meaningful and long lasting.

Guest speakers

Through our Community Connections, North Star Academy Laval seeks to create well-educated individuals who become active citizens of the world- starting with the communities around them.
Bringing the world to our students and our students to the world is a key focus of the Academy. As part of this initiative to inspire critical thinking and global citizenship within our students, bringing in guest speakers to address our students in a key focus of the academy. This allows students to learn about other parts of the world, people from different walks of life, a variety of occupations and from informative specialists in their field.

Hosting local and international visitors

North Star Academy Laval’s International Student Program welcomes students from all over the world. From the moment you arrive at the airport, you are greeted and welcomed by our international coordinator. We help you settle into your new dormitory accommodations and make sure that all your needs are met.

What can you expect from the Program?

  • Daily English Second Language classes
  • A dedicated International Coordinator
  • Daily outings to experience and discover Quebec and Canadian culture
  • Integration into our student body
  • New friendships and lasting memories

North Star Academy Laval’s International Student Program offers you the opportunity to improve your English language skills while experiencing and discovering our Canadian culture.
For your convenience, we offer a 2 or 4 week package option: International Student Program

For detailed information regarding our program please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our teachers and staff members look forward to welcoming you to the NSA family!

Signature Student Life

Required Activities
  • 15 Volunteer Hours
  • In-house Extra-Curricular Activities (students select a minimum of 1 activity from a list of many offered at lunch or after school).
  • Member of a school based House team (Sapphire – Strength, Ruby – Knowledge, Emerald – Compassion, Amber – Integrity)
  • Monday mornings House Assembly
Choice Activities
  • Community outreach (NSA gives Back; AGAPE Holiday baskets; Year round Clothing Drive; etc. need text on these)
  • NSA traditions (Gold Star Show, etc.)
Annual Trips

Although these trips are optional, students are highly encouraged to attend as the activities in class often build up to these trips or require a report or project after the trip. Field trips (local to international)

Washington or New York

Every year, the Grade 9 & 10 attend a trip to either New York City or Washington. These trips create life long memories of seeing famous sites, being with friends and travelling to new places.

Costa Rica

This humanitarian trip is an important student initiative. Students raise money and go to Costa Rica to help serve those in need.