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Old Scona Academic High School, often referred as Old Scona or OSA, is a high school located in the Old Strathcona district of Edmonton, Alberta. It is a small academic high school with a population of approximately 330 students.

History

Old Scona Academic was opened in 89004 and was known as the Strathcona Collegiate Institute. The two story building was divided as thus: the bottom floor was the high school, while the top floor belonged to the University of Alberta. The building is over a century old. It was one of the first high schools in Alberta. When Strathcona Composite High School opened in 1955, Old Scona was turned into a junior high school. In 1976, OSA was created as an academic alternative high school by the Board of Trustees of Edmonton Public Schools. The school's purpose is to provide academically inclined students an opportunity to grow in an environment of intellectual stimulation.It now functions as an 'academic' high school. The City of Edmonton recognizes OSA as a historical site. However because Old Scona is considered a historical site it has been denied any modifications to the building, such as an addition of classrooms, a gymnasium and even more bathrooms.

Admission

The 105 students who enter Old Scona each year are chosen on the basis of set criteria. Old Scona does not accept everyone who meets the basic criteria automatically since there is always an excess of applicants. In the admissions process, the Grade 9 schools marks of the prospective student are taken into consideration in conjunction with a character assessment completed by a Grade 9 principal or counsellor. Moreover, the prospective student will be evaluated based on a written general cognitive abilities test (Standardized Admission Exam). Students must have a minimum overall average of 80% and must be currently taking or have taken French. However recently students have been allowed to take French as a summer school course if they lack it.

Programs of Study

OSA offers the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Diploma Program in addition to the Alberta education curriculum. In Grade 10, students are enrolled in a pre-I.B. program. During this year, students select whether they wish to continue in the full I.B. program, continue in a partial I.B. program, or continue in the regular Alberta education program. Most OSA students take partial I.B. while about 15 students annually take the full program. Students complete the I.B. program while fulfilling their Alberta diploma requirements. Because OSA is a small school, its complementary course selecion is smaller than its larger peers. Choral music, instrumental music, jazz band, performing arts, drama, debate, art, computer applications, and computer programming are offered at OSA.

Reputation and results

Old Scona is recognized as one of the best high schools in Canada and one of the top I.B. schools in the world. In 2005, Maclean's Magazine named Old Scona as the top academic high school in Canada . In addition to its Maclean's ranking, Old Scona has consistently been ranked by the Fraser Institute as the best high school in Alberta . 97% of Old Scona students are on the honour roll and typically over 99% of the graduating class goes on to university. Old Scona students have also excelled in their I.B. Examinations. In 2005, the worldwide average score for the I.B. examinations was 4.57 out of 7. Meanwhile, OSA students' average score was 5.61 out of 7.

Extracurricular activities

Numerous student-run clubs are available at OSA including the Multicultural Club, Football Club, Badminton Club, Tennis Club, Soccer Club, OSAnime, Debate Club, Environment Club, the OSA Crier and Chess Club. Recently added clubs include the Outdoor Walking and Fitness Club, Knitting Club, the Festivus Club, the Star Wars Club, the Dance Club, the D.A. (Harry Potter Club) and the Ballet Club. Students also run a school store called "Rumbly Tummies" in the student lounge.

Athletics

Despite the lack of an on-site gym, students still participate in many sports teams or clubs including volleyball, basketball, soccer, swimming, badminton, tennis, and track and field. During the 2006-2007 City Finals, the swim team, despite fielding a small team, achieved fourth place overall. The men's and women's basketball team this year is currently the best the school has seen in seven years. Furthermore, the OSA Badminton Team, for the past few years, has repeatedly made it to the City Finals, losing only in the semi final match.

Soccer City Champions

• 1988-89 (Junior Men)
• 1994-95 (Junior Men)
• 1995-96 (Junior Men)
• 2005-06 (Senior Men Tier 2)

Volleyball City Champions

• 2003-2004 (Junior Women)

Basketball City Champions

• 2003-2004 (Junior Men)

• High schools in Edmonton