High Schools for Smart, Athletic Boys?

[Anonymous]

DS is an 8th grader in public school but we want to apply to privates for HS. We will be attending open houses but also would like to hear from others about what schools are worth a look for this type of boy. Also, we will also apply for FA so it would be helpful to know what schools are more generous on that front. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is an 8th grader in public school but we want to apply to privates for HS. We will be attending open houses but also would like to hear from others about what schools are worth a look for this type of boy. Also, we will also apply for FA so it would be helpful to know what schools are more generous on that front. Thank you.

If you want to get meaningful help on this, you are going to have to be a lot more descriptive.

Where do you live? (So people can suggest schools that are reasonable commutes)
What sports does your son play? (Some schools have more interest in some sports than others)
How athletic is he really? (This is a hard question for parents. But how athletic he is, how big and fast he is likely to be are critical in determining what level he can aspire to.)
How much FA are you going to need? (Are you looking for 25% of a $30,000 Tuition?, 50%?, 75% 90%

The Washington Area Catholic Conference (WCAC) is the top athletic conference in the area. It has schools like DeMatha, Gonzaga, Good Counsel and St John's. These are not the most expensive private schools so they are affordable without huge Financial Aid grants. And they are all very interested in fielding superior teams especially in football and basketball and baseball and lacrosse. Colleges recruit these schools heavily for the major sports because this is generally where the top athletes are.

The Interstate Athletic Conference (St Albans, Landon, Georgetown Prep, etc.) is a level down in terms of average athletic interest and level of play. But they are very interested in winning and can offer generous FA packages. But they are very expensive and can offer only a few of these packages.

Smaller Schools - Sidwell, Maret, etc. aren't completely unlikely and they are interested in smart athletic boys.

[Anonymous]

PP - good post.

You forgot to mention the IAC schools for the most part are more academic focused than schools from the WCAC.
The MAC schools tends to have the highest academic standards in the entire region, tend to be much smaller in enrollment, and field much smaller teams.

[Anonymous]

But the MAC schools, specially Sidwell and to a lesser extent Maret/GDS/Potomac do field competitive teams across certain sports and are interested in kids who are both smart and focused.

While the MAC doesn't field powerhouses like Gonzaga and DeMatha, the student athletes do go on to productive college sports experiences whether D1 or DIII.

[Anonymous]

'Athletic' is a pretty general term. If you are looking to be recruited, he needs to be exceptional in A sport, not just generally athletic. His competition will be other boys playing high level Club in their sport - and it's usually 1 sport. Club for all sports is now year round, so the days of the 3 sport athlete are fading fast. Generally, if you are only playing locally, you will not be good enough to be recruited. Boys that are good enough to make regionally and nationally competitive teams are recruited - the kid who makes his Rec league All Star team is not at the level to be recruited.

[Anonymous]

As a prior poster said, OP needs to provide a lot more detail of what you're looking for and who your child is.

If very strong academically, then any of the big 3 or so schools would be fine: STA, Maret, Sidwell, Potomac...
If merely "strong" academically but a sports superstar -- truly excel in at least one sport and good in at least one more that the school participates in on a competitive basis, and perhaps have something else that'd add to the school community (music/theater perhaps), then the above schools would be good candidates too.

If not in the above categories, then the above schools will be longshots -- you might still apply but acceptance will be less certain. Schools to consider that are excellent but with a lower percentage of academic superstars (several, but fewer 9th graders eager to do calculus or take national Latin fluency exams, etc.) -- Landon, Bullis, St. Andrews (though some might put Landon in the upper tier).

Great SSAT scores aren't enough for the best schools -- they want great recommendations from teachers to indicate the kid has a good attitude, good work ethic, and perhaps shows leadership; and kids who will excel in school activities (that the school offers) -- competitive sports being the top, but also theater and music (and art to a far lesser degree). You'll read it elsewhere too but it seems schools like to see kids show passion -- be really excited talking about a hobby or a sport or just about an interesting new topic in history class.

[Anonymous]

Bullis, St Johns and Saint Andrews are in the lower tier if you ask me.

Flint Hill if you live in NOVA.

DeMatha has over a 1,000 students so they probably have a very wide range of academics abilities at the school.

[Anonymous]

IAC (more academic focus but still with great athletics; more expensive but generally better FA packages): Prep and Landon
WCAC (greater athletic focus but certain schools still offer great academics, though less so than IAC schools; less expensive): Gonzaga and Saint Johns

[Anonymous]

PP: what sport?

I'd look at Landon, Prep and STA.

[Anonymous]

OP, I also moved my boys from public to private. For a smart, athletic boy, take a look at Landon, St. Alban's, Gonzaga, Bullis, and St. John's College HS. Others mentioned Prep but I think they have less scholarship aid available than Landon, Bullis, and St. Alban's. The Catholic schools (Gonzaga and St. John's) have financial aid but it is really focused on low income (not DCUM low income six figure salaries). Get your financial life in order NOW and consider carefully your expenditures, as you will be disclosing all of them in excruciating detail on your financial aid application.

Look at a broad range of schools and get your son booked for tours and interviews asap. He'll narrow your choices based on the feel of each school.

Some may rip these choices, but check them out yourself - you'll learn so much seeing them first-hand.

Landon has the best admissions process, IMHO. Len Armstrong is really great at making kids and parents comfortable. The Director of Financial Aid also offers a seminar - in August, I think - which was incredibly helpful. Their athletics and academics are truly top notch. Landon is secular but has a strong (and stronger) emphasis on service and ethics. They really "get" boys. I was prepared not to like it based on its reputation here, but walked away incredibly impressed. They do drive the boys very hard, so be sure your son is willing to work very hard. Very diverse student body.

St. Alban's will be the toughest to get into. There's a lot on the boards about St. Alban's, so I'll leave that as is. If you live far away, they may offer your son a scholarship with boarding.

Bullis gets a bad rep on the boards, but it has its strengths. I would rank it below the other schools mentioned here, but act very interested - you may get more scholarship money that way. It is not as demanding as the other schools, but a self-motivated student-athlete can avail himself of its many top-notch offerings. Kids with issues are known to get lost at Bullis. They are too lax with the kids.

St. John's College High School's Scholars Program. It provides a partial scholarship (@ $4k to $8k each year off an already reasonable tuition of @ $20k), international travel, and many special opportunities within a small cohort (@ 40?) in a class of 250 - 300. SJC is committed to true diversity - there are kids from SE DC, PG, etc who travel hours to make it to school, and there are kids whose parents live in NWDC, Bethesda, etc and drive luxury cars. The athletic facilities are college-level, thanks in part to millions from alum Kevin Plank, founder of UnderArmour. They have students from many religious backgrounds - but it is a place that emphasizes prayer. Kids love it. This year's class is the most competitive ever, and those kids applied before the new performing arts center was finished. Beautiful campus adjacent to Rock Creek. Bus and shuttle service through upper MoCo, Eastern MoCo, DC metro stops and NoVA. It is a very traditional place.

Gonzaga is somewhat similar to SJC (conservative Catholic, diverse student body) but an all boys school with higher admission standards (except as compared to the SJC Scholars Program). Located in the city, they have a soup kitchen on premises, focus on brotherhood and service. Great athletics, though sports facilities are not as posh as St John's College High School.

Test prep is critical for all schools. Start now, many private school kids worked on test prep all summer long with expensive private tutors. For both Gonzaga and Prep, have your kid shadow and prep well for the HSPT. The English section is a killer - much tougher than the public testing your kid is used to.

I don't think you'll have luck with scholarships at Prep. Go for it, but I think they have less $$$ in their budget than the other schools and unlike Gonzaga and St. Alban's, they have a high tuition. Bullis may be a good shot, definitely try St. Alban's and Gonzaga. Sidwell and GDS do not have strong athletic programs.

Good luck and post back!

[Anonymous]

Pp here - the Landon Financial Aid seminar was later in the fall or early winter - not August, sorry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I also moved my boys from public to private. For a smart, athletic boy, take a look at Landon, St. Alban's, Gonzaga, Bullis, and St. John's College HS. Others mentioned Prep but I think they have less scholarship aid available than Landon, Bullis, and St. Alban's. The Catholic schools (Gonzaga and St. John's) have financial aid but it is really focused on low income (not DCUM low income six figure salaries). Get your financial life in order NOW and consider carefully your expenditures, as you will be disclosing all of them in excruciating detail on your financial aid application.

Look at a broad range of schools and get your son booked for tours and interviews asap. He'll narrow your choices based on the feel of each school.

Some may rip these choices, but check them out yourself - you'll learn so much seeing them first-hand.

Landon has the best admissions process, IMHO. Len Armstrong is really great at making kids and parents comfortable. The Director of Financial Aid also offers a seminar - in August, I think - which was incredibly helpful. Their athletics and academics are truly top notch. Landon is secular but has a strong (and stronger) emphasis on service and ethics. They really "get" boys. I was prepared not to like it based on its reputation here, but walked away incredibly impressed. They do drive the boys very hard, so be sure your son is willing to work very hard. Very diverse student body.

St. Alban's will be the toughest to get into. There's a lot on the boards about St. Alban's, so I'll leave that as is. If you live far away, they may offer your son a scholarship with boarding.

Bullis gets a bad rep on the boards, but it has its strengths. I would rank it below the other schools mentioned here, but act very interested - you may get more scholarship money that way. It is not as demanding as the other schools, but a self-motivated student-athlete can avail himself of its many top-notch offerings. Kids with issues are known to get lost at Bullis. They are too lax with the kids.

St. John's College High School's Scholars Program. It provides a partial scholarship (@ $4k to $8k each year off an already reasonable tuition of @ $20k), international travel, and many special opportunities within a small cohort (@ 40?) in a class of 250 - 300. SJC is committed to true diversity - there are kids from SE DC, PG, etc who travel hours to make it to school, and there are kids whose parents live in NWDC, Bethesda, etc and drive luxury cars. The athletic facilities are college-level, thanks in part to millions from alum Kevin Plank, founder of UnderArmour. They have students from many religious backgrounds - but it is a place that emphasizes prayer. Kids love it. This year's class is the most competitive ever, and those kids applied before the new performing arts center was finished. Beautiful campus adjacent to Rock Creek. Bus and shuttle service through upper MoCo, Eastern MoCo, DC metro stops and NoVA. It is a very traditional place.

Gonzaga is somewhat similar to SJC (conservative Catholic, diverse student body) but an all boys school with higher admission standards (except as compared to the SJC Scholars Program). Located in the city, they have a soup kitchen on premises, focus on brotherhood and service. Great athletics, though sports facilities are not as posh as St John's College High School.

Test prep is critical for all schools. Start now, many private school kids worked on test prep all summer long with expensive private tutors. For both Gonzaga and Prep, have your kid shadow and prep well for the HSPT. The English section is a killer - much tougher than the public testing your kid is used to.

I don't think you'll have luck with scholarships at Prep. Go for it, but I think they have less $$$ in their budget than the other schools and unlike Gonzaga and St. Alban's, they have a high tuition. Bullis may be a good shot, definitely try St. Alban's and Gonzaga. Sidwell and GDS do not have strong athletic programs.

Good luck and post back! [/quote


This was so helpful. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I also moved my boys from public to private. For a smart, athletic boy, take a look at Landon, St. Alban's, Gonzaga, Bullis, and St. John's College HS. Others mentioned Prep but I think they have less scholarship aid available than Landon, Bullis, and St. Alban's. The Catholic schools (Gonzaga and St. John's) have financial aid but it is really focused on low income (not DCUM low income six figure salaries). Get your financial life in order NOW and consider carefully your expenditures, as you will be disclosing all of them in excruciating detail on your financial aid application.

Look at a broad range of schools and get your son booked for tours and interviews asap. He'll narrow your choices based on the feel of each school.

Some may rip these choices, but check them out yourself - you'll learn so much seeing them first-hand.

Landon has the best admissions process, IMHO. Len Armstrong is really great at making kids and parents comfortable. The Director of Financial Aid also offers a seminar - in August, I think - which was incredibly helpful. Their athletics and academics are truly top notch. Landon is secular but has a strong (and stronger) emphasis on service and ethics. They really "get" boys. I was prepared not to like it based on its reputation here, but walked away incredibly impressed. They do drive the boys very hard, so be sure your son is willing to work very hard. Very diverse student body.

St. Alban's will be the toughest to get into. There's a lot on the boards about St. Alban's, so I'll leave that as is. If you live far away, they may offer your son a scholarship with boarding.

Bullis gets a bad rep on the boards, but it has its strengths. I would rank it below the other schools mentioned here, but act very interested - you may get more scholarship money that way. It is not as demanding as the other schools, but a self-motivated student-athlete can avail himself of its many top-notch offerings. Kids with issues are known to get lost at Bullis. They are too lax with the kids.

St. John's College High School's Scholars Program. It provides a partial scholarship (@ $4k to $8k each year off an already reasonable tuition of @ $20k), international travel, and many special opportunities within a small cohort (@ 40?) in a class of 250 - 300. SJC is committed to true diversity - there are kids from SE DC, PG, etc who travel hours to make it to school, and there are kids whose parents live in NWDC, Bethesda, etc and drive luxury cars. The athletic facilities are college-level, thanks in part to millions from alum Kevin Plank, founder of UnderArmour. They have students from many religious backgrounds - but it is a place that emphasizes prayer. Kids love it. This year's class is the most competitive ever, and those kids applied before the new performing arts center was finished. Beautiful campus adjacent to Rock Creek. Bus and shuttle service through upper MoCo, Eastern MoCo, DC metro stops and NoVA. It is a very traditional place.

Gonzaga is somewhat similar to SJC (conservative Catholic, diverse student body) but an all boys school with higher admission standards (except as compared to the SJC Scholars Program). Located in the city, they have a soup kitchen on premises, focus on brotherhood and service. Great athletics, though sports facilities are not as posh as St John's College High School.

Test prep is critical for all schools. Start now, many private school kids worked on test prep all summer long with expensive private tutors. For both Gonzaga and Prep, have your kid shadow and prep well for the HSPT. The English section is a killer - much tougher than the public testing your kid is used to.

I don't think you'll have luck with scholarships at Prep. Go for it, but I think they have less $$$ in their budget than the other schools and unlike Gonzaga and St. Alban's, they have a high tuition. Bullis may be a good shot, definitely try St. Alban's and Gonzaga. Sidwell and GDS do not have strong athletic programs.

Good luck and post back!

Wow, thank so much for this post! I am NP and my boys are only 4 and 6 but we are aiming for private by middle school.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the comment that Landon has the best admissions process. Had such a great experience last year -- shadow day was so well done, as was subsequent interview - well organized, friendly, understanding of parents' work schedules.

[Anonymous]

Surprised no one has mentioned SAAS.