NORDEN, Calif. and#8212; The school year started at Sugar Bowl Academy with robust growth in enrollment, renovated living quarters for boarding students and new classroom facilities at the foot of Sugar Bowl Ski Resort.

and#8220;We are thrilled with how our new academic site turned out and the opportunities for future growth spurred by our new classrooms,and#8221; said Head of School Tracy Keller.

Under the direction of Sugar Bowl Ski Team Foundation Executive Director Bill Hudson and Head of School Tracy Keller, the independent ski academy located in Norden, has seen consistent enrollment growth in recent years.

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This yearand#8217;s 44 full-year student/athletes marks the largest yearly enrollment leap in the schooland#8217;s 14-year history.

For the first time, SBA student/athletes will also be able to ski from the slopes to their classes during winter training. New classroom facilities have been completed near the West Bay parking area of Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, just below Disney Lift and the student/athletesand#8217; ski lockers at Village Hill.

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Prior to the official start of classes, students embarked on a three-day orientation trip to Forest Hills, Calif.

Organized and led by Dean of Residential Life Kristen Lew and Dean of Students Andy Giordano, the orientation program featured mountain and road biking, hiking, swimming and field day events including ultimate Frisbee, horseshoes, speedball, volleyball, basketball and a variety of other student, faculty and coaching staff competitions.

During a campfire ceremony on closing night, student/athletes, teaching faculty, administrators and coaching staff contributed to the schooland#8217;s and#8220;String of Hopes.and#8221;

Studentand#8217;s hopes for the school year were written on hole-punched note cards and hung on the String of Hopes, which now hangs in the schooland#8217;s renovated dorm and dining facility.