GRIT Hockey

What is GRIT Academy?

GRIT Academy is a premium private school located in Lucan, Ontario, serving families in the London and Middlesex area. Designed for hockey loving student-athletes in elementary ages, the academy integrates elite athletic training and hockey specific development directly into the standard school day. We’re located inside the Lucan Memorial Centre which is 15 minutes North of London and accessible to St.Mary’s, Exeter, Komoka, and Strathroy.

Core Details For Parents

How Academics Work

• Live Instruction: Students learn all core subjects (Math, Science, Literacy, History, Geography) from a dedicated, on-site educator. Our teaching is interactive, engaging, and efficient.
• 12-Student Cap: Class sizes are strictly limited to a maximum of 12 students. This allows for individualized academic pathways where advanced students never get bored, and students who need extra help receive immediate attention and feelings of success.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Along with core foundational subjects (Math, Science, Literacy, and Social Studies), the curriculum includes specialized education in leadership, character development, community building, and sports performance.

How Athletics and Hockey Work

• 4–6 Hours of Weekly Ice Time: Players hit the ice weekly with professional, passionate coaches- including GRIT Founder, Tommy Caldwell, 12-Year Pro and former Team Canada Hockey Alum, Brandon Buck, and former captain of the Toronto Blues, Kim Gaynor.
• Skill-Specific Training: Training focus is placed on technical skills, advanced edge work, and high-IQ hockey development. Players are grouped by skill level to maximize progress and confidence.
• Multi-Sport Exposure: To develop complete athletic literacy and prevent burnout, the daily routine includes structured training in a strength and conditioning facility (yoga, mobility, speed work, strength training), alongside sports exposure like lacrosse, soccer, basketball, track, and cross-country.
• Gym Time: our students also receive daily gym time where they take part in fun activities like dodgeball, pickleball, badminton, floor-hockey, and other less traditional games.

The School Day Structure

The academy operates on the standard Public School Board calendar, including traditional holidays and PA days. All academic and athletic requirements are completed during these hours:

• Drop-off: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
• Pick-up: 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Cost and Logistics

• Tuition: $14,000 per year. A favorable payment schedule is available to help families spread the cost across the school term. Our tuition cost is significantly less than the industry standard while providing more ice time, a stronger educational structure, and more diverse facilities than comparable programs.
• Campus Facilities: A comprehensive, premium training environment that includes a bright, modern classroom, a full gymnasium, an on-site strength and conditioning facility, an ice pad, sports fields, and a swimming pool.
• Enrollment: Strictly limited cohorts to maintain the 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Why the GRIT Method Works

1. The Biological Window for Elite Development

Between the ages of 8 and 12, a child’s nervous system goes through the “Golden Age of Motor Skill Acquisition.” During this peak window of neuroplasticity, physical coordination, balance, and edge work are wired into deep muscle memory much faster than in teenage years.

While a traditional minor hockey schedule offers roughly 80-100 hours of ice time per year, GRIT Academy provides 250 hours annually. By automating core physical skills during the day, GRIT students build an astronomical developmental advantage before entering high school.

2. A Proven Alternative to Declining Public Standards

Objective data reveals a steady decline in foundational public education, highlighted by provincial EQAO results showing nearly half of Grade 6 students missing minimum standards in math. This is compounded by widespread grade inflation and lenient “no-fail” policies that leave students unprepared for higher education.

GRIT Academy bypasses these systemic issues. Small, accountable group learning ensures true mastery of core literacy and numeracy. Because students get more high-quality academic work done in less time, they unlock the freedom to move, train, and play without falling behind.

3. A Controlled, Purpose-Driven Peer Group

Environment shapes character. At GRIT Academy, your child is surrounded by a small, intentional community of peers who share a strong work ethic, drive, and respect for excellence.

Furthermore, GRIT is a traditional, less ideologically driven institution. The focus remains strictly on foundational academics, physical health, personal accountability, and community leadership. Children are encouraged to grow into strong, capable citizens free from distracting or polarized agendas.

4. An Enriching, Fast-Paced School Experience

School should be a place where children thrive, not a chore they endure. GRIT Academy is designed to be highly engaging and inherently fun. These are not daily grinding sessions; they are curated, high-energy blocks of learning and movement. By combining elite coaching, diverse multi-sport exposure, and targeted academics, the academy fast-tracks a child’s development while giving them the most fulfilling, active school year of their youth.

Are you interested in learning more about the 2026/2027 school year? Text our School Director, Tommy Caldwell at 226-781-8442 or email tommy@grit-hockey.ca to set up a tour or have your questions answered.