Winter Sports School Receives Capital Campaign Support From U.S. Ski & Snowboard
The Winter Sports School (WSS) received a generous donation from U.S. Ski & Snowboard toward its $5 million Reaching New Peaks capital campaign. To date, the WSS has raised $2.8 million and is reaching out to the community and winter sports industry to raise the remaining $2.2 million necessary to begin the project this fall. There are currently 24 student-athletes who are active U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team members who have benefitted from a tuition-free, college preparatory education at the WSS since 2014.
The Winter Sports School (WSS) in Park City, UT, founded in 1994, is an instructor-led, college preparatory program for dedicated winter athletes in grades 9 through 12. They are a 501(c)3 nonprofit with an academic calendar running from April through November each year. Students pursue their athletic goals during the winter months while maintaining educational goals. The WSS officially began operating as a Utah State Charter School in July 2014. Their mission is to provide students with the tools, support and balance necessary to achieve the highest possible levels of success in education and life. Their vision is to be the leading college-preparatory school for dedicated student-athletes. The WSS reports directly to the Utah State Charter School Board and the Utah State Board of Education. As a State Charter School, they do not receive funds directly from Park City or Summit County property taxes but receive alternate Charter School Local Replacement funding.
“This commitment from U.S. Ski & Snowboard lends credibility to our expansion project and reinforces the natural partnership between our two organizations, as many of our student-athletes have earned the privilege of competing for our national teams,” stated Whalen Louis, Winter Sports School Board of Trustees President. “We hope it will garner additional donors to help us raise the funds needed to get this project underway. We’ve reached student capacity, and with the anticipated announcement of Salt Lake City as the host site for the 2034 Winter Olympics, we must act now to accommodate expected enrollment growth.”
The Reaching New Peaks capital campaign will include an 8,732-square-foot expansion to the current building, renovations to existing spaces and an amphitheater that will be available as a community-focused gathering space. Pending funding, the project will begin this fall.
“We are grateful that the Winter Sports School, conveniently located near our headquarters in Park City, UT, educates our student-athletes during the summer months so they can focus on their athletic competitions during the heart of competition season,” said Trisha Worthington, Chief Revenue and Philanthropic Officer, U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “They are the only public charter high school in the U.S. with an April to November academic calendar, which fosters a dynamic pipeline of well-educated, highly trained athletes with the potential to compete on our teams for years to come.”
U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s donation comes through its Community Task Force, a group formed in 2022 to support nonprofits in the organization’s home of Park City. Throughout the last two years, the Community Task Force has been focused on donations to programs that are increasing broad-based participation and retention in local youth sport.
“Having been both a WSS student and a U.S. Ski & Snowboard athlete, I appreciate this commitment from U.S. Ski & Snowboard to the WSS Reaching New Peaks capital campaign for expansion,” stated Ted Ligety, 2002 WSS graduate, retired American ski racer, two-time Olympic Gold medalist and co-founder of Shred Optics. “I’ve seen the school and community move through different chapters of growth together, and the next one is the most exciting yet. This drive for expansion coincides with the prospect of another hometown Olympics, and the students sitting in class today in the WSS are among the competitors for life you’ll see on the world stage in the near future.”
The WSS is in its 31st year of operation with 110 student-athletes currently enrolled. The school offers a unique tuition-free educational experience that meets a growing need within the community. Though an integral part of the community, WSS receives considerably less funding per student than the public school district due to its public charter status. Private contributions to supplement public funds are critical in allowing exceptional student-athletes the opportunity to “chase greatness” in the classroom in concert with their athletic endeavors.
To learn more about the Winter Sports School and the Reaching New Peaks Capital Campaign, visit https://www.wintersportsschool.org/reaching-new-peaks/.
