Schooling
Fairview High School
In 2018, the Otters entered into an education partnership with Fairview High School. Fairview High School has a long tradition of academic excellence, and the school is well known as one of the top performers in Pennsylvania. Fairview has received the highest national recognition, as it was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2014, one of 337 schools across the country and 14 in Pennsylvania to be designated this award. National Blue Ribbon Schools are awarded by the U.S. Department of Education for being an exemplary, high-performing school. The school is also an Apple Distinguished School, and each student receives an iPad to conduct studies seamlessly both in and out of the classroom. Fairview High School is in the midst of a $45.1 million upgrade, which will bring 40 new classrooms as part of a 90,000-square-foot expansion that is scheduled to be finished by the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year.
The organization feels that it is important for players to be integrated into the traditional school setting by attending classes in person as opposed to a completely online learning environment. This allows players the opportunity to meet other high-school aged kids in the Erie community and develop the social skills learned through a student's high school years.
Does Schooling Translate to Ontario?
Yes. When a high-school student signs with the Otters, Scott Grieve will assist in getting the player enrolled at Fairview. For players from Ontario, Scott and the Guidance Counsellors at Fairview High School work in collaboration with the player's family and home school to ensure that each player is able to graduate with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma from their home school. While most classes are transferrable from the players' home school in Ontario, there are a select few that are not. For these classes, a transferrable online alternative is arranged for the player, and the player sits in a relevant classroom while doing the online class. For example, a player that is completing an Ontario English credit online will sit in a space at Fairview so that the player has in-person support from an English teacher if needed.
Are Tutors Available?
Yes. If a player feels the need for a tutor, the team will arrange one at no cost to the player or the player's family.
What Does A Typical Day Look Like for High School Players?
23-24_Bell_Schedule.pdfCan Players take Post-Secondary Classes?
Yes. The Otters encourage players who have graduated high school to take at least one post-secondary course while with the Otters. These courses are paid for by the Otters, and do not count against the player's scholarship package. Players can enroll in online courses from any school or attend classes in-person at any of the three universities located in Erie. These universities are Mercyhurst University, Gannon University, or Penn State University - Behrend Campus.
23-24_Bell_Schedule.pdf