everest academy
about us
Located in Vaughan, ON, Everest Academy is a co-ed private school for student-athletes from Grades 3 through 12 and Post-Grad. Regardless of a student’s passion, Everest Academy provides a challenging, stimulating, safe, and supportive learning environment where individuals strive to exceed their potential. Everest Academy students experience a fully integrated athletic skill training, education, leadership, and fitness platform that is second-to-none.
Principal's Statement
I am happy to announce that I am joining the Everest Academy family as their new principal. I am looking forward to leading, learning, and growing with everyone to meet the needs of every one of our learners and make a difference in their lives.
everest academy
campus & facilities
From our new 29,000 square foot academic building, to our double pad ice rink, athletic facilities and dining hall, the Everest Academy campus supports all the needs of the diverse programming. We encourage you to explore our facilities below, but nothing beats a visit to campus. Connect with us and we’d be happy to give you a tour.
Our classrooms reflect our overall approach to academic excellence. All our classrooms are equipped for technology so that your sons and daughters can leverage today’s technology. We are a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) school and in grades 7-12/PG students are required to bring their device as their learning tool. In 2019, the school added three new modern Science labs as part of our emphasis on STEM education. Our double gym is used for both Phys Ed and indoor recess for our elementary students.
Located in the arena, the food services at Everest provide a nutritious gourmet lunch to our students in our Dining Hall. At Everest, we understand how important nutrition is for academic and athletic performance. The food is made in house by our three full time chefs and the menu is specifically designed to support the high level activity needs of our students.
With a large number of our students playing hockey as their primary sport, our two NHL ice pads are in constant use throughout the day as each hockey student gets in their daily skills training. The arena also houses our Girls and Boys Prep Hockey and Lacrosse team rooms.
The strength & conditioning program at Everest reflects the Academy’s commitment to excellence. With Everest’s unique S.E.L.F. approach that provides students with daily Fitness training, we understand the importance of professional, age appropriate strength & conditioning. Our high performance fitness area features Olympic lifting platforms, a turf area and all the equipment needed to get the most out of your fitness. The Everest Academy strength & conditioning staff are among the best in the country; providing students with the latest in research-based training. Visit the Strength & Conditioning page to find out more about the Everest strength and conditioning program.
To support our field sport athletes such as lacrosse and baseball, Everest has access to a nearby multi-field sport complex, field house and baseball fields. School transportation gets the students back and forth to their daily skill practices at these facilities. The indoor field house and use of “The Dugout” ensures that our students are practicing their skills daily throughout the winter.
Everest offers a small number of students the opportunity to live with other students in a small school housing experience. Living in residence at Everest provides students with a tremendous school experience while at the same time prepares them with the life skills to succeed in university. Guided by the Everest staff who live in and oversee the residence, boarding is one of the most powerful ways students learn to appreciate the diversity at Everest while building their own character and help to build our school community.
new facility beginning fall 2020
Beginning Fall 2020, Everest Academy will be moving to a new location in Vaughan, Ontario. We are pleased to announce our new partnership with The Sports Village, Toronto’s Premier Sports & Recreation facility. Our new facility features:
- 4 NHL-sized ice pads for an expanded Hockey and skating program
- 2 on-site Baseball diamonds and outdoor field space for a variety of uses including Lacrosse
- 4-station Beach Volleyball facility for a variety of cross-training opportunities
- Large scale outdoor property for all season fitness and recreation use
- Comprehensive on-site food services facility suitable for 500+ people
- Multi-part indoor fitness area for Strength and Conditioning
- An expandable school classroom setting based on a combination of internal classrooms, proven external portable rooms, and science lab
Contact an Admissions Officer by selecting the “Inquire Now” button to learn more about this exciting new partnership, the athletic and academic programs at Everest Academy.



everest academy
faculty & staff

karl subban
principal

johnny winstanley
general manager

clem d'orazio
lacrosse director &
elementary & intermediate vice principal
Clem is the Vice Principal of the Junior and Intermediate department at Everest Academy and is the Lacrosse Director of the Men’s Prep Lacrosse team. His educational and coaching philosophy is based on character programming that will give the student-athlete the best opportunity to learn the necessary skills to succeed in post-secondary schooling. Clem is also a highly respected Lacrosse Coach and Assistant General Manager in the NLL with the New England Black Wolves. Along with his NLL career, Clem also serves as the President and General Manager with the Toronto Beaches Jr. A Lacrosse Club. Clem graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor in Physical Education and a Masters of Science in Education from Medaille College. He is an accredited OCT teacher and successful coach, winning national and international titles throughout his playing and coaching career.

trevor small
Vice Principal &
director of GUIDANCE
Trevor Small is the Director of Guidance and Head of Secondary Mathematics at Everest Academy. As a member of the Ontario College of Teachers, he has over a decade of teaching and guidance experience in private schools, including over seven years at Everest Academy. Trevor graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education. In the classroom, he strives to provide a comfortable and enjoyable learning environment that encourages risk taking, while maintaining a high academic standard. As a member of the guidance team, his focus is to ensure students graduate from Everest Academy as well-rounded individuals, ready to achieve their goals.

sean kelly
director of admissions

kim Summers
financial controller

Hanna Burnett
Women's Lacrosse coach
marketing & Operations manager
After serving two seasons as the Coach of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, four seasons with Evolve Elite Lacrosse, and six seasons with Team Ontario U15 and U19, Hanna brings a wealth of knowledge around Women’s Field Lacrosse and Field Lacrosse Goaltending with her to Everest. As an athlete, she was a member of Team Ontario and the starting goaltender at Wilfrid Laurier University through her undergraduate and Masters degrees. While at Laurier she was a two-time OUA MVP and four-time OUA All-Star. With the Golden Hawks she won two OUA Gold medals and one OUA Silver medal. She was inducted into the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Hall of Fame in September 2019. Hanna is an internationally rated Women’s Lacrosse Official, having participating in the Women’s Lacrosse World Cup and Asia Pacific Championships in 2017 and the U19 World Cup in 2019. Beyond coaching, she is a member of the Admissions Team and serves in a Marketing role at Everest Academy.

bryan cole
Men's Lacrosse coach
admissions

Karen Cribari
Administrative Coordinator

andrew martin
strength & conditioning director
Marty is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, Functional Movement Certified and Precision Nutrition Level 1. Marty has over 15 years experience mentoring/coaching/training athletes of all ages and levels including the professional level. He grew up in Brampton playing his minor Hockey in Brampton/GTHL and played Junior Hockey for the Bramalea Blues. Marty earned a scholarship to play for the University of Massachusetts Lowell where he was a 3 year captain. After school Marty played 5 years of professional Hockey including 1 year in Belfast, Ireland where he attended the University of Ulster earning an MBA. Marty’s passion for excellence drives students to ever higher levels of achievement.

geoff schomogyi
strength & conditioning director
Geoff has over 15 years experience as a strength coach mentoring/coaching/training Hockey players of all ages and levels. He has run a successful off-ice facility in Brampton where he has trained many athletes that have ranged from NHL to minor Hockey league players. Geoff is a high performance 1 certified coach and FMS certified, as well as Precision Nutrition 1. Geoff’s passion and experience in strength and conditioning and coaching will be applied to helping each athlete reach his or her goals both on and off the ice. Geoff is also the Director of Everest’s High-Performance Program where he helps young athletes develop habits in their Nutrition, Training Habits, and Mindfulness.

michael roberts
strength, conditioning & speed coach
Michael was a standout performer as a High School Football player and considered one of the top prospects in Canada. Michael received a full scholarship to The Ohio State University where he was a member of the 2002 Ohio State College Football National Championship team and part of 2 Big Ten Titles. After his tenure in University, Michael was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the 2006 CFL draft. He played for both Hamilton and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over the course of his career. Michael has over 10 years working with athletes in a variety of different sports. He currently owns Roberts Pro Athletics High Performance Company based in the York Region.

rob barbieri
strength & conditioning coach
Born and raised in Toronto where he was part of the York Yeomen Rugby club, Barbieri was spotted by Italian selectors while playing for Canada U-19. He made the move to Overmach Parma in 2003 along with older brother Mike. Robert opted for the Azzurri and was quickly called up to the national U-21 squad. His test debut came against Japan in June 2006, and in 2007 Barbieri made the move from Parma to Treviso, playing with Benetton for the rest of his career with the exception of a single season in the English Premiership with Leicester Tigers in 2014-15. He earned 43 caps for Italy, 14 in the Six Nations, and was part of the 2011 World Cup squad after missing the 2007 event with injury. Barbieri would play just one test against Canada, a 25-16 victory at BMO Field in his native Toronto in June 2012. His last test appearance came against Scotland in June 2017. After a 16-year professional career as a rugby player, Robert now looks to utilize the training and skills acquired to pass on to other athletes. Robert understands what it takes to perform at a high level, and his professional experience is a key fundamental tool in his training regiments. His programs are not theoretical. This is hands on training from a former professional that will help elevate your fitness to the next level.

jen mark
athletic therapist & wellness coach
Jen is a Registered Kinesiologist, Certified Athletic Therapist, and Registered Yoga Teacher. Jen is an AT with the Markham Majors and the AT/holistic director for the Junior Men’s team with Field Hockey Canada. Jen has worked with the Toronto Argonauts, our Men’s National Field Hockey team, and other Olympians. Jen worked with York University’s Track and Field team, winning 3 national team bronze medals and 1 national championship. With Field Hockey Canada, she has won numerous international medals and took the Men’s Junior team to the World Cup in India. She also travelled with Field Hockey Canada twice to the Men’s Pan Am Cup, placing silver both times. Jen worked with the Stouffville Spirit winning the OJHL Championship, and recently with the Newmarket Hurricanes. With the York Simcoe Express 2000’s she won the International Silver Stick, OMHA, and OHL Cup. Jen has worked with many Canadian and International championships for various sports in the GTA. She was a medical manager at the Toronto Pan Am Games. Jen focuses on re-patterning the body with a big focus on balance and core. Jen also uses her athletic therapy for manual treatments including soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, and muscle energy. Yoga links flexibility and mindfulness as a pillar to good health and peak performance!

andy muto
wellness chef
Andy Muto has had a career in food for over 35 years. As Wellness Chef to Gary Roberts High Performance Program Training, he wholeheartedly support Gary’s ethos to “refuel” the body with good nutritious food. Andy has said that, “It’s great to see how professional athletes like Connor McDavid, Mark Scheifle, Steven Stamkos, Mike Smith & Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel all respond to the pre and post workout meals we present each day. Keeping food ideas simple, familiar and tasty has been another vital component to helping our athletes fuel and recover with excellent success!” This belief has also proven true for the work he has done with the NBA Champions Cleveland Cavaliers, the Canadian Olympic Basketball Team, Adidas Marathon Runners, Kids in Minor Sports & those involved in an Active Lifestyle.

kelly mcdonald
women's hockey director &
high school teacher
Kelly is a High Performance 1 certified coach and an active member in the OWHA High Performance Development program at the U16 and U18 levels. She graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Secondary Education. She is a former student-athlete who played NCAA Division I Hockey for the Maine Black Bears and played professionally in the National Women’s Hockey League for the Buffalo Beauts. Kelly’s educational pedagogy is founded on the use of various instructional strategies and diverse means of assessment in order to provide optimal learning opportunities for her students. Not only does she emphasize the value of education, but she also creates an environment that fosters character development. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with both elementary and secondary students to help them achieve their goals. Kelly is a registered member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

KRISTA ROBINSON
GUIDANCE&
high school teacher

taylor milburn
Women's Lacrosse coach
high school teacher
Taylor has been involved in Lacrosse for over 15 years, during which time she won multiple provincial and national championships and had the opportunity to take on leadership roles with many of her teams. Within the classroom, her goal is to create a positive learning environment that encourages students to take ownership of their learning while developing the necessary skills to promote success in post secondary opportunities. From a coaching standpoint, she works to develop well rounded athletes that will build up the Lacrosse IQ to allow them to bring creativity to the field. Taylor is an accredited OCT teacher and serves a teaching and coaching role at Everest Academy.

Jheanell Lumsden
high school teacher

liam gray
high school teacher

nick chaykowsky
men's lacrosse coach
high school teacher

Lindsay Shotbolt
middle school teacher

tyler mcdermid
middle school teacher

lesley oliva
middle school teacher
Lesley grew up in Toronto in a family surrounded by competitive sports. She graduated from York University with an Hons.BA in Psychology, and a B.Ed. She has had the pleasure of gaining many years of experience in both the public and private teaching sectors, working within the school boards and running a private tutoring business. Her approach to teaching includes teaching to the whole person, where she aspires to bring out the best in each learner by focusing on individual needs, learning styles, and interests. Her goal is to nurture self efficacy and inspire passion for learning, sports, and life itself. Lesley is a life long learner who strives to continually grow as an individual. She lives in Vaughan with her husband, two teenagers, and dog. Lesley is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

jaqueline cessa
french teacher
Jaqueline Cessa teaches French at Everest Academy. She is Trilingual – fluent in English, French and Spanish. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Education with an Honours BA in French at York University. Jaqueline strongly believes that French plays a fundamental role in and outside of the classroom. When it comes to teaching French, she has a different approach. She is looking forward to creating an atmosphere in which the students can read, write, and speak French comfortably. Jaqueline also looks to encourage students to see French as not just a language, but to help them discover and immerse themselves in the culture.

rebecca buck
special education & resource teacher

Brittany Howard
On-Ice Skills Coach &
high school teacher
Born and raised in St. Thomas, Ontario Brittany played her Minor Hockey close to home for the St. Thomas Panthers (OWHA) and London Devilettes (PWHL). After her three-year stint in the PWHL, Brittany went on to receive a full scholarship to play Division I Hockey at Robert Morris University. Brittany Howard put up impressive numbers in her NCAA career, scoring 79 goals and 102 assists for a total of 181 points in 138 games. Some of her notable accomplishments during her tenure at Robert Morris University include; 2018 Patty Kazmaier Award top-ten finalist, CHA player of the year in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, 2017-2018 Second Team ACHA All-American and 2017 Dapper Dan Charities Pittsburgh Sportswoman of the Year. After her record breaking collegiate career, Brittany began her professional career by being drafted 8th overall by the Toronto Furies in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. Brittany graduated Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration focused in Sport Management, and a Masters in Organizational Leadership. Brittany continued to further her education by attending York University where she attained a Bachelor of Education in the intermediate, senior program. Brittany is currently a member of the PWHPA, an organization advocating for the promotion and equality of professional women’s ice Hockey. Along with her prestigious playing career, Brittany has over eight years of experience as an on ice instructor for Hockey Detail; a company run by Mike Ellis, the current skills and development coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning. More recently Brittany spent the 2019-2020 year as a Team Canada carded athlete as well as working as on-ice instructor for Victus Academy, working with a variety of small and large groups.

Ryan kaszuba
On-Ice goaltending Skills Coach &
middle school teacher
Ryan graduated from Queen’s University with an Honours B.A. in the Humanities as well as a Bachelor of Education. Since graduating, he has been teaching mathematics in Sweden where he helped to develop a problem-solving based program as the Head of the Mathematics Department. As an educator, he believes teaching and learning is so much more than simply memorizing facts and formulas. He is dedicated to creating engaging lessons that challenge his students to think critically and solve problems both inside and outside of the classroom. Ryan joins us as a former student-athlete. While at Queen’s University he was a member of the Men’s Varsity Hockey Team. He has also worked as a Goalie Coach with the Franco Canadian Goalie School for over 5 years helping to develop young goaltenders through the AAA and Junior ranks. Ryan is a registered member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

justin teakle
head of player development
Justin Teakle brings 19 years of experience working in Hockey Development Programs to Everest Academy. After four seasons playing in the Ontario Provincial Junior League (OPJL), he transitioned into coaching and coached over 1000 games over a 14 season span. That run included one record setting season with the Cobourg Cougars in 2011, where the team finished with a 38-9-3 record. Since 2005 he has served as the Director and Head Instructor of PassHockey and has served as the Head Instructor and Coach for Pro Hockey since 2013. Most recently, he served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Brampton Admiral (2018 to 2020), as Co-Coach of the Markham Majors 06 AAA team (2019), and in 2020 was named Director of Operation for Can-Ice.

dave d'ammizio
on-ice hockey director
Dave has extensive experience executing skills training for players at the beginner level through to the NHL. Dave began his coaching with the Toronto Marlboros. He went on to coach the Vaughan Kings, the Stouffville Spirit, and the Junior Canadians. He has enjoyed great team and individual successes, winning GTHL championships and Provincial Championships, watching players move on to win scholarships and be drafted. Dave has also been actively involved in spring and summer Hockey coaching training some of the NHL’s elite players in the BioSteel Hockey Camp. Dave has also been the Toronto Bulldogs head coach for the prestigious Edmonton Brick tournament for the past 10 years, winning it 5 times. Dave continues to train players of all ages and levels with the mindset of helping each and every player reach their full potential. As a hands-on instructor with a big personality, he gets the most out of his players every time they are on the ice. With a focus on developing the players on and off the ice, he exposes them to the skills required for effective leadership, teamwork, nutrition and off ice strength training. He addresses the mental aspects of being involved in the sport in regards to try outs, wins and losses and overcoming adversity and challenges.


marc slawson
on-ice skills director

Jari & matthew Byrski
professional skills coaches
Born in Poland, Jari Byrski stopped playing competitive Hockey at a young age, but that hasn’t stopped him and son, Matthew, from building Sk8On into a thriving Hockey Academy sought by youth, developing, elite, and professional Hockey players alike. Making the unconventional conventional (students may be asked to stickhandle anything from a golf ball to a puck two times the regular weight through a series of pylons and obstacles) Jari and Sk8On have earned the praise of parents and pros, and current NHLers Steven Stamkos, Brent Burns, Jason Spezza, Alex Pietrangelo, and Eric Staall are just a few who seek out Jari’s services every off-season. We are excited to welcome Jari and Matthew to the Everest Academy Team.


tim turk
hockey shooting and scoring skills coach

adam colagiacomo
on-ice skills coach
Adam will bring plenty of Hockey experience to the Everest Hockey staff. He was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play professional Hockey for four seasons. In 2002, Adam opened the doors to the Pro Star Hockey School and has been a mainstay in the Vaughan Hockey community ever since, coaching and training players that have gone on to play at the OHL, NCAA, and NHL levels. Adam brings 17 years of AAA GTHL coaching experience and is currently with the Toronto Marlboros U11 team. Some of his teams have gone on to win GTHL, Provincial, and major tournament championships. Adam’s knowledge, work ethic and passion for Hockey has been infectious for all of his students and players.

Lisa Clark
skating coach
Lisa Clark has been teaching skating for 30 plus years. After a successful career teaching and choreographing figure skating, she’s now teaching Hockey players exclusively. Lisa, who resides in Whitby, Ontario currently works with several Hockey teams and has an extensive list of private lesson clients [male and female] in the Toronto and surrounding area. Focusing on teaching the technical side of skating, including working on improving balance and edges and eliminating wasted energy through bad technique, Lisa has great results in improving her clients’ confidence level on the ice and as a result, increasing their speed and agility. She leaves no stone unturned in trying to make her clients better skaters and because of this, her clients trust her implicitly. When a player trusts the instructor, they buy in 100% – and Lisa has done that at the highest level over her long career. Teaching is a labour of love for Lisa.

luca caputi
on-ice skills coach
Luca Caputi played four seasons in the OHL beginning in the 2004-2005 season, with his entire OHL career being played for the Mississauag/Niagara IceDogs franchise. In 2007 Luca was drafted in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL draft. Luca went on to play seven seasons of professional Hockey, spending parts of four seasons in the NHL with both Pittsburgh and Toronto. Upon retiring from professional Hockey Luca began coaching immediately, taking on an Assistant Coaching role with the OHL’s Guelph Storm in 2015. Luca spent three seasons with Guelph before the Frontenacs hired him to be their Associate Head Coach in 2018. Luca also enjoys scouting and takes pride in having an in depth knowledge of the draft class. Originally from Toronto, Luca has a wife and one daughter that he enjoys spending time with. Luca also likes to play Golf, Softball, and enjoys playing mens league Hockey.

dave franco
goaltending coach
Dave has coached some of the world’s most elite goalies in the world throughout the last 20 years. Jordan Binnington, Curtis Joseph, Jamie Storr, Steve Mason and Robb Zepp have all spoken about the difference Dave made in their career. Dave has spent his entire dedicated to excellence in goaltending from his humble beginnings as a young goalie in Toronto to playing pro in Europe through coaching goalies at the NHL, AHL, OHL and European Pro Levels. Dave’s unsurpassed knowledge of the position and proven track record of developing talent for the OHL, NCAA, NHL and European Professional leagues is unrivaled.

marco franco
goaltending coach
Marco’s clients have included numerous NHL stars, CHL stars and European Pros. He has traveled the world and his 20 plus years experience coaching elite level goalies gives FCGS the unique advantage of having two world-class leaders to build the development programs that produce results unlike any other goalie school in the world. Marco is also a fitness expert who understands the physical requirements to play at each level. He also possesses a pro level shooting ability that allows Marco to work with pro goalies on very specific deficiencies.

jason booth
baseball coach
Jason Booth owns The Dugout Baseball and Softball Academy in Vaughan, ON. He has coached and served as the Director of Baseball Operations with Team Ontario (18U) in the Canadian Premier Baseball League since 2012 and has helped place 150+ players in College Baseball. He attended Tiffin University, Ohio (NCAA) from 1999 to 2001 and Goshen College, Indiana (NAIA) from 2001 to 2004. He also served as the Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Saint Francis, Indiana (NAIA) for five years and as a Coach with the Oakville Royals in the Premier Baseball League of Ontario from 2009 to 2012.

KYLE McKay
baseball coach
Kyle McKay is a former professional Baseball player and current coach at The Dugout Baseball and Softball Academy in Vaughan, ON. He is also the Head Coach of Team Ontario 16U. Playing for teams in the Frontier, Pecos, and Mount Rainer Pro Baseball Leagues, Kyle also represented Canada at the World Baseball Challenge in 2013, earning a second best tournament ERA of 1.29 and posting strong outings against Team Cuba and Team Japan, two powerhouses in international Baseball. Kyle attended Kaskaskia College (NJCAA), the University of South Carolina Upstate (NCAA DI), and University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne (NAIA), earning multiple honours and becoming the all-time career ERA holder.
everest academy
contact us
Alumni, extended families, prospective students, and more – we’d love to keep you in the know with what we’re planning at Everest Academy! Join our mailing list to receive monthly updates from the Team and stay connected.
Prospective family looking for more information about our academic or athletic programs? Interested in booking a tour? Please fill out the form below or feel free to call us directly and chat with an Admissions Officer. We look forward to speaking with you about Everest Academy.
Vaughan, ON
L4K 5R1
For shipping purposes please include:
ATTN: Everest Academy
Deliveries can be made to the school’s main reception desk, upstairs at The Sports Village.
Regular School Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:20AM – 3:35PM
Friday: 8:20AM-3:00PM