It's not just a pipe dream for NSS student

Quincy Barr is a rising star with Olympic aspirations, and the National Sport School (NSS) is fully behind his quest to make that goal a reality.

The 17-year-old Calgarian and halfpipe skiing phenom knew he wanted to strike the optimal balance between pursuing high-performance athletics and remaining committed to his academic endeavours throughout his high school years.

That’s exactly where the NSS comes into play. The school was founded in 1994 and found a permanent home at Canada Olympic Park in 2011. Students from Grade 8-12 can learn in a flexible educational environment without sacrificing their integral development on the field, rink, court, or slopes. The school, supported by the Palliser School Division, attracts students of nearly every sporting and athletic background.

Barr’s older sister graduated from the NSS while pursuing golf before the proverbial torch was handed off to the family’s next ambitious athlete. Barr is a member of Freestyle Canada’s NextGen Team which develops skiers with true Olympic potential.

“When I was skiing in middle school and attending a normal public school, I realized it was going to be super tough down the line if I was going to stay in that system,” explains Barr, now in his senior year. “Having the opportunity to connect with your teachers while you’re away and them being so helpful while you’re gone, I just knew this was going to be the best option for me.”

Noteworthy halfpipe competitions for Barr have included the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea and three World Cups: two in Calgary and one in New Zealand. Barr is currently training in Austria to gear up for another World Cup in China during December.

With all that time away from the classroom comes Barr’s requirement for a school which accommodates his scattered schedule.

“I think it’s a lot of just connecting with my teachers, and I need to figure out for myself when I need to get my schoolwork done,” Barr says. “Before I leave (for skiing), I’ll connect with my teachers and find out what I need to bring with me and what I need to do while I’m away. I’m in communication with them when I’m gone and I’ll send them an email if I’m struggling with something, and they’ll get back to me that same day. It’s super helpful.”

When on the WinSport campus at Canada Olympic Park, Barr can also commit an average of 15-20 hours per week to various training. This includes time on the ski and snowboard hill as well as off-snow training with his fellow national-level skiers at WinSport’s world-class facility operated by the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta.

He thrives being surrounded by like-minded students.

“It’s super motivating being at school with so many high-level athletes,” says Barr. “I think everyone feeds off the energy there and it’s really inspiring to see other people’s achievements and knowing that you’re also in that same boat and one of those high-level athletes yourself. I think the culture of the school is something that is very hard to find somewhere else.”

Out of a total enrolment of 430 students, Barr estimates 15 other freestyle skiers currently attend the NSS, three or four of which also specialize in the halfpipe. But apart from the ratio, he’s forever grateful for the guidance, collaboration, and encouragement he continues to receive from the first-of-its-kind public school in Canada.

“It’s honestly a blessing to be able to go to the National Sport School,” Barr declares. “I personally don’t think that if I was in a typical high school that I would be able to balance the two (school and skiing). Going to the Sport School has probably been one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had.”

Despite limited skiing experience as a child, it’s only been six short years since Barr watched the X Games on TV and set his sights on the sport’s ultimate achievement.

“Hopefully one day I can stand on the top of the podium at the Olympics with a gold medal.”

Learn more about the National Sport School