Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Games Were an Especially Big Hit at This Online Charter School

The international dominance of the USA Hockey program was on full display in the Winter Olympics this year, as the USA won the gold medal in both women’s and men’s hockey. Both gold medal games were thrilling 2-1 overtime wins over Canada, and in each game, the winning goal was scored by a native Michigander – Megan Keller of Farmington Hills for the women and Jack Hughes of Canton for the men.

People across the state and country were cheering wildly for the Americans in both games, but the gold medal games had special significance for the students at one Michigan charter school.

Michigan International Prep School (MIPS) is an online charter school that’s renowned for its personalized education, outstanding academics, and flexible schedule. For the past few years, MIPS has had a special partnership with the USA Hockey program, which is housed at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.

Since the 2020-2021 school year, dozens of elite USA Hockey players have been going to high school at MIPS while they compete for the USA Hockey program. These Michigan charter school students are the best high school hockey players in the country, and many of them will no doubt be competing for Olympic spots themselves in the future.

Anyone who thinks that online charter school students should be worth less when it comes to state funding might want to have a conversation with some of the hockey players who are thriving academically in that environment.

And while all of us were cheering the gold medal wins, these MIPS students might have been cheering even a little more.

As for the MIPS partnership with USA Hockey, it’s another example of how the flexibility of charter schools can provide the perfect educational fit for students.

“Michigan International Prep School has partnered with USA Hockey’s NTDP since 2020-2021 school year, providing the educational component for their student-athletes training at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth,” said Cara Bondy, the Community Engagement and Program Coordinator at MIPS.

“A dedicated MIPS staff member works onsite to support the players’ learning needs. Through our program, students are able to take rigorous NCAA-approved courses that meet state standards while also receiving some of the best hockey training in the world,” she said.

MIPS has also been cranking out more NHL draft picks than any other high school in the country – by a wide margin. In the 2025 NHL draft alone, 23 MIPS alumni were selected.

Online charter schools are all about providing a quality education for students whose educational needs are best served in that environment. It could be students with severe medical issues, or students who experienced bullying in their previous school, or students who live in remote areas of the state.

Or it could be the best young hockey players in America. Cookie-cutter schools don’t work anymore. Schools need to be flexible to meet the diverse needs of students, and there’s no better example of that than Michigan online charter schools like MIPS.

“Our flexible learning model allows student-athletes to balance demanding practice and travel schedules with high-quality academics,” Bondy said. “It gives them the time they need to train, compete, and still enjoy family life.”

Several MIPS students have already made it to the NHL, including Rutger McGroarty (Pittsburgh Penguins), Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks), Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks), and Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals).

The 2025 NHL Rookie of the Year, Lane Huston of the Montreal Canadiens, is also a MIPS alum. Lane’s high school celebrated the honor on Facebook by writing, “Way to go, Lane! Your MIPS family is cheering you on every step of the way!”

For the student-athletes, MIPS has been the perfect fit. E.J. Emery, a 2024 MIPS grad who was drafted by the New York Rangers, said, “MIPS offered me great flexibility to fit school within my busy hockey and training schedules. It tailored the class work to suit my lifestyle and helped promote a personalized and adaptable schooling experience for me.”

Several MIPS alums who played for the USA Hockey NTDP are also homegrown Michigan products, including Frank Nazar of Mt. Clemens, Hunter Brzustewicz of Shelby Township, Zach Schultz of South Lyon, and Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen of Northville. Rhéaume-Mullen is currently playing at the University of Michigan while he waits to start his pro career.

Bondy said that MIPS’ partnership with USA Hockey has been so successful that other programs are starting to take note.

“In addition to our NTDP partnership, MIPS also works with several other sports and hockey programs, as well as many independent hockey families,” she said.