In another three years, when the first 25 graduates of the Sport Academy are looking at post-secondary education, many will be accepting scholarships and playing at colleges and universities across North America.

“I’d say 50 per cent have university opportunities,” said Mr. Connolly, who heads up Sport Academy’s basketball program.

Many high schools in the city have programs of choice — non-mandated curriculum which range from sports to arts to science — but Riddell is one of the few elementary schools to offer such a program.

There are currently five classes of Sport Academy offered at the school, including Grade 6, 7 and 8 basketball classes. The other two classes, dubbed the high-potential club, feature students with a proclivity for hockey, soccer, gymnastics, boxing and other sports, including a race car driver.

Many of the students go to McMaster once a week for training and most will go on to Westmount Secondary School’s Sport Academy.

“It grew rapidly, to the point where we now have almost 130 kids in the program,” said Mr. Hahn, the principal.

He noted students come to the west Mountain school from as far away as Smithville, Brantford and Burlington.

“Their parents drive them here to be part of the training and to receive their academic program here,” he said.

The school offers flexibility on the academic side, for those who have to leave for tournaments or daily practices. As a result, many of the athletes in the program are performing personal bests and playing on high-level championship teams.

“We’ve had a lot of wonderful things that have happened in a short period of time,” said. Mr. Hahn.

Mr. Connolly said part of the success of the program lies in the foresight of the board to build the school with two gyms, one of which is much larger than found in most elementary schools.

The new floor and air conditioning system are also a benefit.

But the athletic success isn't he only measure of the program, said Mr. Connolly.

"We've found that the kids who are enthusiastic about sports are better in the classroom," he said. "I think that's the value of programs like this."