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What is Shad Valley?
Shad Valley is a rich, multi-faceted program that boasts much more than academic development. We integrate many separate streams of subjects, and help our students hone their abilities--teamwork, creative problem solving, and effective communication are three of the major areas.
Our program runs in July with four weeks of hands-on work and teaching from experts, and offers potential work experience thereafter. Our students get the chance to challenge themselves, stretch their imaginations, and dream about their futures.
We want to give our participants the tools to achieve their goals, and to improve the world around them.
There are twelve Shad Valley host campuses for 2013. We have room for 600 students who are completing Grade 10, 11 or 12 (Quebec Secondaire IV, V or CEGEP I) or the international equivalent.
We're looking for students with:
- High overall academic achievement, with a passion for math and the sciences
- Creative and entrepreneurial minds
- Initiative and drive
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills as well as the ability to work as a team member
- Participation in extracurricular activities
"...the creative talents of this group was something that I had underestimated. Among the Shads there are poets, songwriters, musicians, dancers, artists, writers, and eloquent speakers."
- Michelle DeVidi, Law and Human Rights Librarian, Carleton University Library, Shad Valley Carleton 2006 Staff Member
The Educator's Role 
Shad Valley is looking for students who really want to excel, but because we don't see students everyday, we need your help to promote this program to your leading students! We do not limit the number of participants by school--we really do want the best out there. Please help us spread the word, and encourage your students to explore the opportunities available at Shad Valley!
We have a great video that you can share with your students, click here.
Shad Valley information sessions are also offered to schools. Please fill out this form to submit your request for a visit. Brochures and posters can be obtained either through schools, on our website, or requested through our on-line form and we will mail materials to you directly.
The selection process is competitive. The application deadline has passed for 2013. Watch for our 2014 application materials in September. For general enquiries, email info@shad.ca.
Click here to review a profile of a typical Shad Valley participant. We encourage all students who meet the criteria to apply. There is no limit to the number of students accepted to the program from any school, school board, or region.
And what's in it for the students?
The experience students get at Shad Valley is above and beyond the academic challenge they'll find in high school. Students get to work on university campuses with cutting edge equipment and 50 other sharp-minded students. It's a fertile environment, and the ideas, skills, and friendships our participants build last a lifetime.
But the program isn't just based on lectures and lab work: we embark on the creative journey as well. We've taken participants on hikes through the mountains and canoe trips, we've run improv theatres and held musical jam sessions--the possibilities are limited only by the creativity of our students... and that usually means they're not limited at all.
Costs
The program fee is $3,950, which is a portion of the full program cost. The fee covers all program activities, accommodations, and meals. Transportation to the program via car, bus, train, or air is the student's responsibility. For international students the fee is $8,000 CDN. Click here for details.
Additional financial support is available to assist students in need. We also grant merit-based scholarships that are awarded based on the strength of the overall application. Students that feel Shad Valley is right for them should not hesitate to apply. Once their application is successful, we will work with them and their family to facilitate their participation.
Shad Valley has a substantial budget for financial assistance, which includes:
- A large bursary fund for participants in financial need
- Travel bursaries as additional support
- Scholarships based on the overall strength of the application, and all applicants are automatically eligible to be considered for these scholarships
- Resources for participants to fundraise locally towards their fee
The Summer Internship
After we've helped our students hone their skills, we want to give them the opportunity to compete for an even more challenging learning experience. We have a network of partner companies, many of whom provide summer volunteer internship opportunities, and securing a place in one of these companies is highly rewarding for our students. Our supporters have many different ways of providing our students with crucial real-world experience: matching a student up with a seasoned mentor for an onsite project-oriented work opportunity, rotating the student through various departments with assigned tasks, or job shadowing, just to name a few. Whichever route our students go, the summer internship is always a great addition to the on-campus program.
Our Success
We are proud of the achievements of our 12,000+ alumni. More than 85% of Shad Valley alumni go on to study math, sciences, engineering or a related discipline at the post-secondary level. Twenty-five Shad Valley alumni have gone on to become Rhodes Scholars (since 1989). The Shad Valley network of alumni extends into the influential technical and management ranks of important Canadian and international companies.
Shad Valley is the award-winning flagship program of Shad Valley International, a not-for-profit educational organization based in Waterloo, Ontario. Awards include:
- Nova Corporation Global Best Award
- Canadian Best Practice in Youth, Science and Technology, Government of Canada
- Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion, Industry Canada
- Conference Board of Canada's National Award for Excellence in Business-Education Partnerships
- ASTech Awards Recipient (2005): Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness category
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