By Amy Miles/For London Community News

Matt Murphy and his family were looking for a school that allowed him to combine his love of sports with solid academics. They found that perfect combination at Premier Elite Athletes’ Collegiate (PEAC).

PEAC, London’s newest private school, is located upstairs at the Western Fair Sports Centre. The school offers daily hockey training and small class sizes taught by Ontario certified teachers.

Matt’s parents, Dave and Lori, are thrilled by their experience at PEAC.

“Having your child surrounded by positive roll models in athletics and academics and classmates who all want to excel makes PEAC a great spot to be. Teaching students to excel and giving them the skills to succeed separates PEAC from the public system.”

Dwayne Blais is part owner of PEAC London and oversees the daily operation of the local campus. It was originally started in Toronto seven years ago. This is the school’s second year in London. Currently they have 23 students in grades 7-10. Enrollment is up from 14 students last year, and this year they have also added their first female student.

Students train at the Total Package Hockey Training Centre and are on the ice with during the day.

Fourteen-year old Matt is in his second year at PEAC in Grade 9.

“I love going to school at PEAC. It’s a great way to go to school — we are really supported by all the staff.”

That support is appreciated by Matt’s parents, who were hoping the school would offer a solid foundation for higher education, and help him learn to live a healthy lifestyle.

“There is a great atmosphere at the school. In public school Sunday nights were a downer in anticipation of school the next day. At PEAC, Matt can’t wait to get back Monday morning. The environment is positive and healthy. There is a good balance of athletics and academics — they really do have a great set up in place,” Dave said.

The school currently has four teachers and four classrooms. Only two hours of the day are spent playing hockey, while the rest of the day is focused on academics.

The last hour of the day is used as flex time where students can work on homework or another school activity.

Hockey is the only sport offered by the school right now, but Blais is looking at adding soccer and golf.
Blais sees the school as the perfect blend of academics and athletics for parents who want a great private school education combined with time devoted to helping student athletes develop in their sport.

“The gains that we’ve seen in individual players over the past year has been exceptional both on the ice and with their physical fitness,” Blais said.

Even though the numbers are small at PEAC with only 23 students spread out over four grades, Matt and his parents feel he is being challenged academically.

“PEAC has been a very positive experience. It’s a great spot to be. We really can’t say enough about the strong roll models our child is exposed to and their genuine interest in his success,” Lori said.