EXTRACURRICULARS

West Island College (Calgary) offers a diverse range of extracurriculars, including competitive and recreational sports and a variety of clubs spanning leadership, arts, and global awareness. Families and alumni praise its unique Institute Program, which ignites students' passions across five specialized fields, and highlight the vibrant House System and formative international travel experiences as integral parts of the school's community-centric culture.

Page Contents

Facts and analysis

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Sports at West Island College (Calgary) are diverse and provide a balance of competitive and recreational options.

For comparison, other Canadian schools we cover typically offer around 8 competitive sports and 8 recreational sport options.

Competitive offered

Recreational offered

Signature sport

Uncommon sport

Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Canoeing/Kayaking
Cricket
Cross-country skiing
Curling
Cycling
Downhill skiing
Equestrian
Fencing
Field Hockey
Figure Skating
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Ice Skating
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Mountain biking
Racquet Ball
Rowing
Rugby
Running
Sailing
Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Ultimate
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling

Why it matters

Beyond promoting physical fitness, school athletics teach life skills like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. A greater variety of sports creates more opportunities for students to develop these skills while building peer connections and a sense of belonging. While competitive sports encourage student-athletes to strive for excellence, recreational sports foster inclusion, exploration, and enjoyment.

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

West Island College (Calgary) offers a highly diverse array of extracurricular clubs and programs.

Other schools we review usually provide about 14 clubs and programs.

Clubs offered

Clubs not offered

Signature program

all clubs and programs]

Animation

Art Club

Astronomy Club

Audiovisual Club

Ballet and Classical Ballet

Band

Chess Club

Choir

Community Service

Computer Club

Dance Club

Debate Club

Drama Club

Environmental Club

Foreign Language Club

Habitat for Humanity

Jazz Ensemble

Math Club

Musical theatre/Opera

Online Magazine

Outdoor Club

Outdoor Education

Paintball

Photography

Poetry/Literature club

Radio club

Robotics club

Round Square

School newspaper

Science Club

Scouting

Student Council

Yearbook

Yoga

Why it matters

Clubs and enrichment programs, including after-school clubs, extend learning beyond the classroom. They encourage creativity, leadership, and friendships while helping students explore passions, build skills, and gain confidence in a low-pressure environment.

DISTINCT EXTRACURRICULAR FEATURES

What makes West Island College (Calgary)’s extracurriculars distinct: established strengths and current initiatives

The Institute Program is a transformative initiative that sparks students' passion, providing essential tools and inspiration for diverse career exploration. Through five specialized Institutes, it not only prepares students for any challenge but also fosters community engagement, affirming their future steps. Grade 7 - 12 students have the opportunity to choose their area of passion from a range of specialized Institutes: Business and Entrepreneurship; Engineering, Design and Technology; Environment, Sustainability and Health; Humanities; Visual, Media and Performing Arts.

WIC offers a wide variety of athletic opportunities from Grade 7 through to Grade 12. Interscholastic teams start at the end of August with golf and volleyball and finish in June with soccer, field hockey and rugby. Teams are competitive and try-outs are held at all levels. All teams have both practices and games, and some many teams also participate in outside tournaments. Practices are held at the school or a nearby field in the morning before school, or after school. Games and tournaments are played both at home and away.

At WIC, we encourage students to follow their passion and contribute in a meaningful way not only to the WIC community but to the world beyond. WIC, therefore, cultivates individual student growth by providing amazing leadership opportunities. From formal leadership positions in groups within the school to a multitude of informal leadership roles in various co-curricular activities, sports teams and events that occur during our school year, students have plenty of opportunities to discover the path that most excites them. Such as Global Awareness Club, Peer Tutoring, Prefect Council, Students' Council, Community in Action, Roots & Shoots and many more.

All students are placed in one of four Houses when they begin their time at WIC and remain in the same House throughout their time at the College. The House System gives students an initial sense of belonging as they are immediately welcomed into a group within the school. The four Houses participate in a friendly rivalry throughout the school year which is an integral part of the culture of community for which WIC is renowned. Houses are made up of students from Grades 7 to 12 divided equally between the four Houses: Bedard, Davies, Grant and Goodall.

The philosophy of Outdoor Experiential Education is apparent in its name: education via experience. Rather than learning through textbooks, lectures, or classroom simulations, experiential education aims to advance learning by directly involving students in new and dynamic opportunities. Experiential learning challenges students to make decisions and develop and apply their leadership skills. The goals for the West Island College Outdoor Education Program are that students will develop: an interest in outdoor living, travel and general recreation; the attitudes and knowledge required to participate in outdoor activities; and lifelong skills in leadership, teamwork, resiliency and decision making.

WIC’s foundational International Studies travel program is designed to give students hands-on learning experiences around the world, where they can foster better understanding, mutual respect, and first-hand experiences different cultures. As part of the International Studies service-learning experience, students become part of one-of-a-kind humanitarian projects that make lasting differences in the local communities they serve. Past destinations of the program include Belize, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands, England, Egypt, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Romania, Samoa, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Tibet, USA and Vietnam.

Why it matters

These highlights, provided by the school, describe unique aspects of its extracurricular activities in terms of history, tradition, and current innovations. These reveal priorities and culture, and give you a clearer picture of the special opportunities students could experience here.

Name
Email
Verify Code

	You can withdraw consent by unsubscribing anytime.

My Shortlist

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

TRACK IMPORTANT DATES

EXTRACURRICULARS

Page Contents

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Why it matters

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Why it matters

DISTINCT EXTRACURRICULAR FEATURES

Why it matters

Sign up to receive our exclusive eNews twice a month.

My Shortlist

BUILD YOUR SHORTLIST

EVALUATE YOUR SCHOOLS

TRACK IMPORTANT DATES

EXTRACURRICULARS

Page Contents

Facts and analysis

SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Why it matters

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS

Why it matters

DISTINCT EXTRACURRICULAR FEATURES

Why it matters

Welcome to OUR KIDS

Tell us about yourself

Set your preferred school location(s)

Personalize school matches for your family

Stay in the loop

Get your School Expo family pass

Sign up to receive our exclusive eNews twice a month.