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West Island College (Calgary) 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.
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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 7 competitive sports and 8 recreational sport options.
Competitive offered
Recreational offered
Signature sport
Uncommon sport
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Running
- Soccer
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
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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
Band
Chess Club
Community Service
Computer Club
Dance Club
Debate Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Foreign Language Club
Jazz Ensemble
Math Club
Online Magazine
Outdoor Education
Photography
Poetry/Literature club
Radio club
Robotics club
School newspaper
Science Club
Student Council
Yearbook
Yoga
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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.
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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.
