The Nest Hockey Academy Approach

The Nest Hockey Academy (NHA) philosophy is to develop the mind, body, and spirit of our student athletes. NHA student athletes will engage in high quality learning on the ice and in the classroom, through an integrated blended learning model comprised of two components: Hockey and Academics.

Our coaches have developed 5th-12th grade hockey curriculums that guide Nest athletes unit by unit from day one through to graduation. Each school day we focus on three developmental areas of the game: technical & tactical skills, skating development, and team play.  Nest student-athletes will improve in these areas through purposeful training that teaches motor skills, retention, and practical application. This on-ice development will be reinforced with off-ice training in the form of stickhandling, strength & conditioning training, flexibility, recovery, multi-sport games, nutrition awareness, and video analysis. The result is a daily schedule that coordinates on and off ice training to maximize athletic development. 

The academic “infused” curriculum is integrated across content areas, including hockey, and is vertically and horizontally aligned to Florida’s Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.). NHA students engage in enhanced virtual learning that is learner-focused toward competencies in reading, math, science, social studies, character education, and servant leadership. Academic Coaches (highly qualified teachers) meet daily with students in learning lab environments to facilitate and support learning that is self-paced.

Applications for admission to NHA are available on our website by following this LINK. There is a $150.00 non-refundable, non-transferrable fee assessed with each application.  Upon submission, our Admissions Department will contact you to schedule Academic and Hockey Screenings for your child(ren).

Our Admissions Department will follow-up with you via email.

Annual Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is $29,750 for standard players and $14,875 for goalies. These totals include curriculum, instructional materials, student technology (1:1 device for students), Fall Hockey (including league play) and Spring Hockey, 300+ hours of ice training (tactical, technical & team training), 150+ hours of off-ice development, two (2) tournaments. * Annual Tuition does NOT include school uniforms.  There may be additional charges for school supplies, activities, field trips, etc.  NHA strives to keep tuition affordable, making it easier for families and students to participate in and enjoy their experience at Nest Hockey Academy.*

Yes! Nest Hockey Academy participates in the Step-Up for Students Scholarship Program in partnership with the Florida Department of Education.  Additionally, we have partnered with the P.A.S.S. (Poiema Athletic Student Success) Foundation, which supports student-athletes through a scholarship program.  More information about these scholarship programs is available on our website.  For assistance with the application process for either scholarship program, contact our Dean, Dr. Cara Lile at [email protected].

In school year:

  • 2023-24 grades 5-9
  • 2024-25 grades 5-10
  • 2025-26 grades 5-11
  • 2026-27 grades 5-12

Nest Hockey Academy is registered with the Florida Department of Education and is actively pursuing dual accreditation with Christian Schools of Florida and Cognia.

Nest Hockey Academy is a mission-outreach school, meaning students are not required to be Christian to attend, however students and parents must agree to support the mission and vision of Nest Hockey Academy. Course content is taught from a Biblical Worldview, with a focus on Creation, Fall and Redemption.  All students are required to attend weekly chapel services and complete Bible I, II, III, and IV as part of our graduation requirements.

Yes! In fact, Nest Hockey Academy’s graduation requirements exceed Florida’s graduation requirements.

Nest Hockey Academy student-athletes will complete course requirements for Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program eligibility. To be awarded, students must still meet GPA and ACT/SAT requirements.

We do not conduct Florida Statewide Assessments. We do administer IOWA and CogAt Assessments annually during the Spring semester, as well as End of Course Assessments as required per Florida Department of Education Guidelines.

Yes! Clubs and Honor Societies are offered each year based on student interest/eligibility. 

Nest Hockey Academy implements a blended learning model, which means students are in learning labs (classrooms) completing hands-on learning activities delivered in a virtual format. Highly qualified teachers provide instruction in real-time as well as assist students in accessing NHA curriculum and instructional resources in our digital library.

In the 2022-2023 school year, our hours were 7:45 am – 4:30 pm. Students were dropped off between 7:30-7:45 am and must have been picked up no later than 4:45 pm.

  • Our school calendar mirrors the local public/private school calendars.
  • Each student has an individual learning plan that includes hockey instruction and academic content inside the rhythm of the school day. Students spend time in learning labs where they have the support of an Academic Coach (highly qualified teacher) to facilitate and support their learning in a variety of groupings (independent, partner, small group, whole group).
  • Students are not assigned homework beyond the regular school day.

Students are required to pack snacks and lunch daily.  All lunches must be packed with appropriate cool packs, as students do not have access to refrigerators throughout the day.  Students do have limited access to microwave ovens, under the direction of NHA faculty and staff.

NHA students must be picked up no later than 4:45 pm each day, as we do not offer extended day care.

We anticipate having a Nest Hockey Academy Team in each age group. We look forward to working with the SAHOF board and helping develop youth hockey players at higher levels of play in the state of Florida.

The application process includes hockey tryouts/evaluations which are scheduled upon submission of the application.

The NHA program is comprised of two linked components: hockey & academics and are not offered separately.

NHA student-athletes are required to play for Nest Hockey Academy only. *Note: This policy applies to other SAHOF, AAA, and Tournament clubs.

Nest Hockey Academy is a co-ed program and is currently pursuing opportunities to provide hockey development specifically designed for female student-athletes.

NHA is excusive to hockey. Student-athletes engage in basketball on a full-size basketball court and futsal on two fields located on our campus as a part of their physical education courses. 

Opportunities to apply for admission are not limited to student-athletes with prior hockey experience.  Each student is individually evaluated during the application process. 

We welcome and appreciate volunteers on our campus! All volunteers must complete the volunteer application process, which includes a Level II background check and Safesport certification.  The volunteer application is available on our website.