Hardy sports & academics this year?

[Anonymous]

We have a very sporty 5th grader and are thinking about Hardy (we have to move and could rent in either the Hardy or the Deal zone).

Can anyone who has kids at Hardy this year comment on their experience with school sports? What about academics, especially math (ELA comments welcome too)? Is discipline generally not a huge issue?

Tia!

[Anonymous]

This is going to sound like unabashed boosterism, and I guess it is. But sports at Hardy now kick butt.

I cannot speak for all sports, but I can speak to some, and I can speak to the overall change.

Hardy XC Girls just took first in the state and the Boys took second. Last year's Girls Lacrosse also won the state. I think Boys Baseball lost in the finals. Girls Volleyball may have also won; I don't remember the specifics.

The XC and Track program is truly something to behold. The teacher who used to lead it was great, but a bunch of parents took over the program mid-year last year and have made it into a wonderful, supportive, all-encompassing program. There are three practices a week (for like the entire year), optional additional runs (like the Fletcher's Cove Park Run each weekend -- the coaches have brought crepes to these runs to celebrate), and now Georgetown collegiate runners are routinely coming to practice to provide additional coaching. Each runner received an individual summer training plan to help them reach their potential. And the effects are showing in the performances.

Overall, Hardy did a Sports Celebration event at the end of last year. It was a first-of-its-kind for Hardy, and while it did run very long, it was a great event. Every sport was recognized and the coaches shared highlights from the year and selected an MVP and Most Improved (or something like that). The coaches were also recognized. It was just an all-around great event (that, yes, did run too long).

[Anonymous]

One benefit of Hardy sports is that you can walk on to most teams, no 5 years of private coaching required. Making the team at Deal can be much more competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is going to sound like unabashed boosterism, and I guess it is. But sports at Hardy now kick butt.

I cannot speak for all sports, but I can speak to some, and I can speak to the overall change.

Hardy XC Girls just took first in the state and the Boys took second. Last year's Girls Lacrosse also won the state. I think Boys Baseball lost in the finals. Girls Volleyball may have also won; I don't remember the specifics.

The XC and Track program is truly something to behold. The teacher who used to lead it was great, but a bunch of parents took over the program mid-year last year and have made it into a wonderful, supportive, all-encompassing program. There are three practices a week (for like the entire year), optional additional runs (like the Fletcher's Cove Park Run each weekend -- the coaches have brought crepes to these runs to celebrate), and now Georgetown collegiate runners are routinely coming to practice to provide additional coaching. Each runner received an individual summer training plan to help them reach their potential. And the effects are showing in the performances.

Overall, Hardy did a Sports Celebration event at the end of last year. It was a first-of-its-kind for Hardy, and while it did run very long, it was a great event. Every sport was recognized and the coaches shared highlights from the year and selected an MVP and Most Improved (or something like that). The coaches were also recognized. It was just an all-around great event (that, yes, did run too long).

Thank you, PP! This is so good to hear. Our kid is in and loves XC (also loved watching Track events during the Olympics).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is going to sound like unabashed boosterism, and I guess it is. But sports at Hardy now kick butt.

I cannot speak for all sports, but I can speak to some, and I can speak to the overall change.

Hardy XC Girls just took first in the state and the Boys took second. Last year's Girls Lacrosse also won the state. I think Boys Baseball lost in the finals. Girls Volleyball may have also won; I don't remember the specifics.

The XC and Track program is truly something to behold. The teacher who used to lead it was great, but a bunch of parents took over the program mid-year last year and have made it into a wonderful, supportive, all-encompassing program. There are three practices a week (for like the entire year), optional additional runs (like the Fletcher's Cove Park Run each weekend -- the coaches have brought crepes to these runs to celebrate), and now Georgetown collegiate runners are routinely coming to practice to provide additional coaching. Each runner received an individual summer training plan to help them reach their potential. And the effects are showing in the performances.

Overall, Hardy did a Sports Celebration event at the end of last year. It was a first-of-its-kind for Hardy, and while it did run very long, it was a great event. Every sport was recognized and the coaches shared highlights from the year and selected an MVP and Most Improved (or something like that). The coaches were also recognized. It was just an all-around great event (that, yes, did run too long).

+1

Our DC is a two sport athlete at Hardy and is having a great experience. Current 7th grader. Academics have been great as well. Our family is very pleased with Hardy!

[Anonymous]

I'm a parent at another school and found the coach for the Hardy boys' soccer team to be mean and even a bully (yelling at players for mistakes, insulting the ref). Have any Hardy PPs experienced or heard about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent at another school and found the coach for the Hardy boys' soccer team to be mean and even a bully (yelling at players for mistakes, insulting the ref). Have any Hardy PPs experienced or heard about that?

Huh? That seems really strange. The coach is tough on the boys but I would never call him a bully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent at another school and found the coach for the Hardy boys' soccer team to be mean and even a bully (yelling at players for mistakes, insulting the ref). Have any Hardy PPs experienced or heard about that?

Insulting the ref sets a terrible example in multiple ways. Yelling at 12 year olds also seems like it would be counterproductive…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a parent at another school and found the coach for the Hardy boys' soccer team to be mean and even a bully (yelling at players for mistakes, insulting the ref). Have any Hardy PPs experienced or heard about that?

PP here. My child doesn’t play soccer, but I have not heard anything about this among the parents I know. From what I have observed at school (and at the aforementioned sports celebration last spring), the boys soccer coach seems very well-liked.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. The boys soccer coach is very well liked by the students.

Regarding the OP’s question - sports across the board have been great! We’ve also been very pleased with the math acceleration and support As you likely are aware, there is not an honors ELA at Hardy (or Deal, I think). This year they have added electives to engage and challenge students who seek additional classes in this area (reading, research, and writing classes). So far it’s been terrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP. The boys soccer coach is very well liked by the students.

Regarding the OP’s question - sports across the board have been great! We’ve also been very pleased with the math acceleration and support As you likely are aware, there is not an honors ELA at Hardy (or Deal, I think). This year they have added electives to engage and challenge students who seek additional classes in this area (reading, research, and writing classes). So far it’s been terrific.

Thank you, this is most helpful. Glad to hear it’s been a great experience.

Can anyone speak to the adjustment period for their kids out of (a smaller) elementary?

[Anonymous]

Super happy with sports and academics. My kid plays a sport every season and is in algebra in 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP. The boys soccer coach is very well liked by the students.

Regarding the OP’s question - sports across the board have been great! We’ve also been very pleased with the math acceleration and support As you likely are aware, there is not an honors ELA at Hardy (or Deal, I think). This year they have added electives to engage and challenge students who seek additional classes in this area (reading, research, and writing classes). So far it’s been terrific.

Thank you, this is most helpful. Glad to hear it’s been a great experience.

Can anyone speak to the adjustment period for their kids out of (a smaller) elementary?

My 7th grader loves Hardy - more than his mid size ES and he had a great experience there. I was worried about the adjustment for him - and it was hard the first few weeks, even months, but once he figured it all out, he was really, really happy. He doesn’t play sports but I know a lot of kids there who do and echo everyone else here. The cross country and soccer for both boys and girls is great- the parent coaches for XC are amazing. The boys football team has had some issues this season with getting to play actual games but no issues with the coaches or kids.

[Anonymous]

OP back - thank you to all the PPs for sharing their experiences! Would love to hear more as the year progresses.

[Anonymous]

I’m the poster who started a different thread about moving from private to Hardy. How challenging are the academics? Is there much homework?