Athletic culture at area privates

[Anonymous]

Most sports high school teams are pretty uncompetitive and certainly well below a club or travel team. You do them for fun or to try new sport or it's mandatory (2 or 3 seasons must do a team sport as PE).

Once in awhile a school will stack a team with good players, the coach, and the coach's kid. ie SFS basketball

Individual sports do whatever you want. You'll still be playing regional or national level travel.

Saint Johns College (coed) has highly competitive team sports due to its medium size and ability to recruit/give scholarships. and nice price point.

[Anonymous]

Op here—I should have stated the sports that my twins play. DS: basketball and baseball, DD: Field hockey is her primary but she’s interested in trying another sport (or two) in HS if that’s an option. Has expressed interest in volleyball and tennis.

The break down from PP with info about various leagues is a good one. I guess I’m looking for more about how those tiers translates re overall culture at the school. Like for a school that plays in the IAC, does the school feel driven by sports or are there a fair number of kids who are less sporty and/or trying a new sport there. DS is a very good athlete but he’s on the smaller side so not going to knock anyone’s socks off. Trying to find options where he could potentially play his preferred sports but also has solid backup options if it doesn’t work out. DD is a very good athlete too, but doesn’t have the same issue with size being a barrier and I think she will likely be on a varsity track even at the more competitive schools.

Re potentially splitting them up—we were thinking if we did that they would have to be relatively close geographically. Like maybe GPrep and SR/AHC or Landon/Holton. We are most interested in schools in Bethesda/Potomac area as we live in Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

For the son for the IAC: basketball is high level, just not as high as WCAC, but WCAC might be the best conference in the country. To play meaningful minutes in the IAC you have to be very good or very big or both. There are no bad teams, but Bullis and Prep are a head above the others, at least last year and probably next year (Bullis returns a 6-10 center who can play). Most of the kids are basketball only. For baseball, there is a bigger range. Prep is really good, Landon and STA are good, others are not as good. If your son can flat out play, then he would be good to go everywhere but maybe Prep.
The IAC schools are fairly sports focused. Most of them are very good schools, too, but sports are a big part of life there. But at Prep, STA, Landon, and probably at the others, you still have a bunch of kids who are not focused on sports. All schools want some balance.
In the IAC or ISL, it is difficult to play two or more sports, particularly if you are a serious student. It is draining, and you usually end up sacrificing some achievement in your main sport (can be beneficial though with cross-training and mental health). Some do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here—I should have stated the sports that my twins play. DS: basketball and baseball, DD: Field hockey is her primary but she’s interested in trying another sport (or two) in HS if that’s an option. Has expressed interest in volleyball and tennis.

The break down from PP with info about various leagues is a good one. I guess I’m looking for more about how those tiers translates re overall culture at the school. Like for a school that plays in the IAC, does the school feel driven by sports or are there a fair number of kids who are less sporty and/or trying a new sport there. DS is a very good athlete but he’s on the smaller side so not going to knock anyone’s socks off. Trying to find options where he could potentially play his preferred sports but also has solid backup options if it doesn’t work out. DD is a very good athlete too, but doesn’t have the same issue with size being a barrier and I think she will likely be on a varsity track even at the more competitive schools.

Re potentially splitting them up—we were thinking if we did that they would have to be relatively close geographically. Like maybe GPrep and SR/AHC or Landon/Holton. We are most interested in schools in Bethesda/Potomac area as we live in Chevy Chase.

At some of the IAC and WCAC schools, the boy will have a hard time swinging both of those sports. If he wants to play both, look into the MAC schools where you won't close recruiting doors but he'll be able to play both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here—I should have stated the sports that my twins play. DS: basketball and baseball, DD: Field hockey is her primary but she’s interested in trying another sport (or two) in HS if that’s an option. Has expressed interest in volleyball and tennis.

The break down from PP with info about various leagues is a good one. I guess I’m looking for more about how those tiers translates re overall culture at the school. Like for a school that plays in the IAC, does the school feel driven by sports or are there a fair number of kids who are less sporty and/or trying a new sport there. DS is a very good athlete but he’s on the smaller side so not going to knock anyone’s socks off. Trying to find options where he could potentially play his preferred sports but also has solid backup options if it doesn’t work out. DD is a very good athlete too, but doesn’t have the same issue with size being a barrier and I think she will likely be on a varsity track even at the more competitive schools.

Re potentially splitting them up—we were thinking if we did that they would have to be relatively close geographically. Like maybe GPrep and SR/AHC or Landon/Holton. We are most interested in schools in Bethesda/Potomac area as we live in Chevy Chase.

If your son likes basketball, he should try Paul VI, they have a great program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here—I should have stated the sports that my twins play. DS: basketball and baseball, DD: Field hockey is her primary but she’s interested in trying another sport (or two) in HS if that’s an option. Has expressed interest in volleyball and tennis.

The break down from PP with info about various leagues is a good one. I guess I’m looking for more about how those tiers translates re overall culture at the school. Like for a school that plays in the IAC, does the school feel driven by sports or are there a fair number of kids who are less sporty and/or trying a new sport there. DS is a very good athlete but he’s on the smaller side so not going to knock anyone’s socks off. Trying to find options where he could potentially play his preferred sports but also has solid backup options if it doesn’t work out. DD is a very good athlete too, but doesn’t have the same issue with size being a barrier and I think she will likely be on a varsity track even at the more competitive schools.

Re potentially splitting them up—we were thinking if we did that they would have to be relatively close geographically. Like maybe GPrep and SR/AHC or Landon/Holton. We are most interested in schools in Bethesda/Potomac area as we live in Chevy Chase.

If your son likes basketball, he should try Paul VI, they have a great program.

PVI recruits nationally for basketball. It’s not just for kids who like basketball. Plus, not very practical from Chevy Chase (unless the kid really is at the PVI star recruitment level then I suppose the world is their oyster).

[Anonymous]

I’m not aware of any boys who play Varsity basketball and baseball at my son’s IAC school. I am sure you could find an exception in the league but it would have to be extremely rare and one of the best athletes in the IAC. By the time boys play varsity sports at that level, they are playing just that sport (basketball and baseball) year round for club teams at a pretty competitive level. This isn’t true for lower teams; I am aware.

[Anonymous]

Op here—no delusions that DS has a shot at playing basketball at the top programs, but could play at schools in less competitive league. Baseball is his primary interest and, again, realize that despite years of travel and training, that’s no guarantee either. If he chooses a school with super competitive teams and does not make the team or taps out at JV, will he have options? I understand that there are boys who are not interested in sports (and that’s fine), but DS is extremely interested in sports. Being a part of a team is hugely important to him so trying to understand what happens to boys who are sporty but don’t make the cut. Could he pivot to another less popular/competitive sport? Are there intramural teams or sort of “club” teams that play other schools, for example? Seems like the boys schools are more likely to have more of a variety of options given their PE/sports participation requirements, but not sure if that’s true. What happens at a coed school like Bullis if you don’t make the JV/V?

Re DD—My sense is the athletic dynamics are very different for girls. Sports are very important to her as well but it seems like the strong athletes are able to play more than one sport in HS (including girls who are also playing on an outside club team) and/or start a new sport.

And it’s worth noting that we are looking for solid academics. Neither kid is getting an athletic scholarship or has a path forward in professional sports. We don’t need what DCUM considers top tier academics, but would like reasonably strong with solid options for a more rigorous track.

[Anonymous]

At the MAC schools, my kids played 2 sports and most kids there played 2 sports as well, some played 3 sports. Some also played travel clubs as well. And always some kids recruited for sports to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here—no delusions that DS has a shot at playing basketball at the top programs, but could play at schools in less competitive league. Baseball is his primary interest and, again, realize that despite years of travel and training, that’s no guarantee either. If he chooses a school with super competitive teams and does not make the team or taps out at JV, will he have options? I understand that there are boys who are not interested in sports (and that’s fine), but DS is extremely interested in sports. Being a part of a team is hugely important to him so trying to understand what happens to boys who are sporty but don’t make the cut. Could he pivot to another less popular/competitive sport? Are there intramural teams or sort of “club” teams that play other schools, for example? Seems like the boys schools are more likely to have more of a variety of options given their PE/sports participation requirements, but not sure if that’s true. What happens at a coed school like Bullis if you don’t make the JV/V?

Re DD—My sense is the athletic dynamics are very different for girls. Sports are very important to her as well but it seems like the strong athletes are able to play more than one sport in HS (including girls who are also playing on an outside club team) and/or start a new sport.

And it’s worth noting that we are looking for solid academics. Neither kid is getting an athletic scholarship or has a path forward in professional sports. We don’t need what DCUM considers top tier academics, but would like reasonably strong with solid options for a more rigorous track.

Potomac has the strongest MAC baseball program recently, where players can develop into D1 ball, but average travel players can still get playing time. Basketball not as strong and he would very likely make jv. Kids routinely do 2-3 sports. Girls track just won the state championship. Field hockey has a handful of club players but they’re not a dominant program.

I would avoid the big baseball schools (Prep, Gonzaga, PVI types) especially since you said he is on the smaller side right now. There are D1 commits who don’t start at those places, and if it would be crushing to not make the team I would look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here—no delusions that DS has a shot at playing basketball at the top programs, but could play at schools in less competitive league. Baseball is his primary interest and, again, realize that despite years of travel and training, that’s no guarantee either. If he chooses a school with super competitive teams and does not make the team or taps out at JV, will he have options? I understand that there are boys who are not interested in sports (and that’s fine), but DS is extremely interested in sports. Being a part of a team is hugely important to him so trying to understand what happens to boys who are sporty but don’t make the cut. Could he pivot to another less popular/competitive sport? Are there intramural teams or sort of “club” teams that play other schools, for example? Seems like the boys schools are more likely to have more of a variety of options given their PE/sports participation requirements, but not sure if that’s true. What happens at a coed school like Bullis if you don’t make the JV/V?

Re DD—My sense is the athletic dynamics are very different for girls. Sports are very important to her as well but it seems like the strong athletes are able to play more than one sport in HS (including girls who are also playing on an outside club team) and/or start a new sport.

And it’s worth noting that we are looking for solid academics. Neither kid is getting an athletic scholarship or has a path forward in professional sports. We don’t need what DCUM considers top tier academics, but would like reasonably strong with solid options for a more rigorous track.

Potomac has the strongest MAC baseball program recently, where players can develop into D1 ball, but average travel players can still get playing time. Basketball not as strong and he would very likely make jv. Kids routinely do 2-3 sports. Girls track just won the state championship. Field hockey has a handful of club players but they’re not a dominant program.

I would avoid the big baseball schools (Prep, Gonzaga, PVI types) especially since you said he is on the smaller side right now. There are D1 commits who don’t start at those places, and if it would be crushing to not make the team I would look elsewhere.

I know DC baseball pretty well.
If your son is small and not going to be a D1 recruit then I would avoid Prep and SJC. Your kid may make the freshman or JV team and get playing time his first year (or first two years) but will likely never make varsity or if he makes varsity, will never play. These schools have varsity starting line-ups composed of almost all future D1 players (a few from each grade---i.e. 3-4 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, etc.). There are really only a tiny handful of kids who get starting varsity roles without being the level needed to eventually play college baseball. My kid is at another IAC school and even there, the starting varsity line-up is 75% future college players (again---not all from all one grade but if you have 2-3 such talented kids from each grade they will play them in varsity from freshman year and there is the starting varsity line-up). So if you're a good but not great player you will get playing time in JV the first two years and then spend junior year on the bench and then maybe get playing time senior year if the line-up is not dominated by future college players.

If you want definite playing time all 4 years then the best schools are GDS and SAAS. Sidwell, STA, Maret will likely mean the scenario I described above: definite playing time on JV during 9th and 10th. 11th may be tough and 12th varies by who else is on the team and how many future college players are in the mix.

Oh Gonzaga. There are some super stars in this program but ironically we know a pretty casual travel player who made (and got playing time) on JV for grades 9 and 10. Made varsity for 11th but spent the year on the bench. Ended up not playing in 12th.

[Anonymous]

What is SAAS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is SAAS?

St. Anselm's Abbey School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here—I should have stated the sports that my twins play. DS: basketball and baseball, DD: Field hockey is her primary but she’s interested in trying another sport (or two) in HS if that’s an option. Has expressed interest in volleyball and tennis.

The break down from PP with info about various leagues is a good one. I guess I’m looking for more about how those tiers translates re overall culture at the school. Like for a school that plays in the IAC, does the school feel driven by sports or are there a fair number of kids who are less sporty and/or trying a new sport there. DS is a very good athlete but he’s on the smaller side so not going to knock anyone’s socks off. Trying to find options where he could potentially play his preferred sports but also has solid backup options if it doesn’t work out. DD is a very good athlete too, but doesn’t have the same issue with size being a barrier and I think she will likely be on a varsity track even at the more competitive schools.

Re potentially splitting them up—we were thinking if we did that they would have to be relatively close geographically. Like maybe GPrep and SR/AHC or Landon/Holton. We are most interested in schools in Bethesda/Potomac area as we live in Chevy Chase.

If your son likes basketball, he should try Paul VI, they have a great program.

PVI recruits nationally for basketball. It’s not just for kids who like basketball. Plus, not very practical from Chevy Chase (unless the kid really is at the PVI star recruitment level then I suppose the world is their oyster).

Same for Sidwell boys basketball. Very few (if any) spots on varsity for players who are not recruited. And most of those kids have been redshirted, specifically for basketball. The JV team had three kids over 6'5" this year. It's bizarre and so out of line with the ethos of the school and the rest of Sidwell sports -- except for tennis, which also recruits heavily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here—I should have stated the sports that my twins play. DS: basketball and baseball, DD: Field hockey is her primary but she’s interested in trying another sport (or two) in HS if that’s an option. Has expressed interest in volleyball and tennis.

The break down from PP with info about various leagues is a good one. I guess I’m looking for more about how those tiers translates re overall culture at the school. Like for a school that plays in the IAC, does the school feel driven by sports or are there a fair number of kids who are less sporty and/or trying a new sport there. DS is a very good athlete but he’s on the smaller side so not going to knock anyone’s socks off. Trying to find options where he could potentially play his preferred sports but also has solid backup options if it doesn’t work out. DD is a very good athlete too, but doesn’t have the same issue with size being a barrier and I think she will likely be on a varsity track even at the more competitive schools.

Re potentially splitting them up—we were thinking if we did that they would have to be relatively close geographically. Like maybe GPrep and SR/AHC or Landon/Holton. We are most interested in schools in Bethesda/Potomac area as we live in Chevy Chase.

If your son likes basketball, he should try Paul VI, they have a great program.

PVI recruits nationally for basketball. It’s not just for kids who like basketball. Plus, not very practical from Chevy Chase (unless the kid really is at the PVI star recruitment level then I suppose the world is their oyster).

Same for Sidwell boys basketball. Very few (if any) spots on varsity for players who are not recruited. And most of those kids have been redshirted, specifically for basketball. The JV team had three kids over 6'5" this year. It's bizarre and so out of line with the ethos of the school and the rest of Sidwell sports -- except for tennis, which also recruits heavily.

STA also recruits for basketball. I think this year 3/5 starters were bonafide recruits (some re-classed). 2/5 were travel players.
Basketball is hard anywhere in the DMV---so few spots.