Athletic culture at area privates

[Anonymous]

Looking for 9th for DS and DD (twins) who are both athletic. Open to sending same school coed or splitting them up for single sex if right fit. Sports are very important to both and would like peoples input on their overall experiences. How common is it for kids to play more than one sport? Do most kids come in having already played at a high level or are their kids in some/most sports that have never played? Overall have coaches been supportive? Ideally include school name and sport. TIA

[Anonymous]

Are they looking for a very academic school? Do you have a preference for independent or Catholic? Or more focused on sports? There’s a bit of everything here. You need to give us more details of where you’re coming from and what sports you’re looking at.

[Anonymous]

You need to give the sports for each kid (since girls and boys teams often differ) and then people can give better advice.

[Anonymous]

This is a generalization. There are all sorts of exceptions to it. But, in the main, for the major sports, there are three tiers of schools in DC. And these generally track to school student population.

The top tier is the Catholic League (WCAC) where most of the top players are and competition is fierce. Very few basketballer or footballers play more than one sport.

The second tier is the IAC where sports are taken seriously but two sport athletes are not uncommon. Football and basketball are a notch below the WCAC. Lacrosse is at least at the same level.

Then there’s the third level that is the smaller schools. There are some exceptions, like Sidwell basketball, but generally these teams would have a hard time competing with the two stronger leagues. Because they are smaller schools, it’s not uncommon to see multi-sport athletes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they looking for a very academic school? Do you have a preference for independent or Catholic? Or more focused on sports? There’s a bit of everything here. You need to give us more details of where you’re coming from and what sports you’re looking at.

+1. And what level are we talking about? Are sports important because your kids are at a fairly high level OR do they just really enjoy sports and want to play as much as possible? Do they want a school with super competitive teams that they might not even make OR a smaller/less competitive school where everyone gets playing time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for 9th for DS and DD (twins) who are both athletic. Open to sending same school coed or splitting them up for single sex if right fit. Sports are very important to both and would like peoples input on their overall experiences. How common is it for kids to play more than one sport? Do most kids come in having already played at a high level or are their kids in some/most sports that have never played? Overall have coaches been supportive? Ideally include school name and sport. TIA

By high school the majority of the kids have been playing their sport in a travel setting. Maybe yours would be able to make a freshmen team or VJ with no back round in the sport but it is unlikely. Also kids start having their own interest in high school and many move on from sports specifically the girls.

I would not split them up unless the schools are very close together. It is a huge pain in the a$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a generalization. There are all sorts of exceptions to it. But, in the main, for the major sports, there are three tiers of schools in DC. And these generally track to school student population.

The top tier is the Catholic League (WCAC) where most of the top players are and competition is fierce. Very few basketballer or footballers play more than one sport.

The second tier is the IAC where sports are taken seriously but two sport athletes are not uncommon. Football and basketball are a notch below the WCAC. Lacrosse is at least at the same level.

Then there’s the third level that is the smaller schools. There are some exceptions, like Sidwell basketball, but generally these teams would have a hard time competing with the two stronger leagues. Because they are smaller schools, it’s not uncommon to see multi-sport athletes.

+1. I think this very nice overview. As PP acknowledged there are exceptions for individually talented athletes as well as specific teams. It doesn’t apply to, say, crew but without knowing anything more about your childrens specific sports, their ability to handle academic rigor, and your personal religiosity, this is a fair post.

[Anonymous]

Are you catholic? Would you go catholic? Do you like bump stocks and hate ivf? What sports do your kids play? Are your mixed sex children basically identical in other respects? How academic do you want? Not enough detail in your post to be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if your daughter is athletic and goes to a catholic school she can play 3 sports.

For your son it’s a different story. How athletic is he compared to other kids? And what sports? Are you talking football/basketball/baseball at Gonzaga/st johns/good counsel? Or cross country/swimming/crew at prep/landon/bullis?

[Anonymous]

troll post

[Anonymous]

St John's College is your best bet in DMV for co-ed, sports focused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St John's College is your best bet in DMV for co-ed, sports focused.

Sorry meant in DC, not DMV.

[Anonymous]

It mostly depends on the sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:troll post

You think it’s some athletic director wondering where their school stands in the unofficial snotty dc parent ranking system?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:troll post

I doubt it. People ask this question all the time. OP, you need to name the sports your kids want to play and if they are good at said sports. Then people can answer.