St. John’s Open House On Sunday

[Anonymous]

DD and I went to SJC’s Open House yesterday. For the most part I was impressed. A bit overwhelming due to the amount of people attending and the rain, Neverless we walked away with a good sense of the school. One thing that I took note of was when we went to the athletic building. Each sport had its own table with the coaching staff. I saw majority of the coaches were engaged with the exception of basketball. It seemed every prospect went to the table but, the coaches had a look like,”Write your name and keep moving.” Another parent mentioned the basketball coaches recruit and being at the Open House is just a formality. How true is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD and I went to SJC’s Open House yesterday. For the most part I was impressed. A bit overwhelming due to the amount of people attending and the rain, Neverless we walked away with a good sense of the school. One thing that I took note of was when we went to the athletic building. Each sport had its own table with the coaching staff. I saw majority of the coaches were engaged with the exception of basketball. It seemed every prospect went to the table but, the coaches had a look like,”Write your name and keep moving.” Another parent mentioned the basketball coaches recruit and being at the Open House is just a formality. How true is this?

All sports recruit, not just basketball. SJC said 3500 people there yesterday. Traffic was backed up on Military Road to Georgia Ave. It was a mob. If you were looking to have a meaningful discussion with anyone yesterday, that was a mistake. Open House is about parking and crowd control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD and I went to SJC’s Open House yesterday. For the most part I was impressed. A bit overwhelming due to the amount of people attending and the rain, Neverless we walked away with a good sense of the school. One thing that I took note of was when we went to the athletic building. Each sport had its own table with the coaching staff. I saw majority of the coaches were engaged with the exception of basketball. It seemed every prospect went to the table but, the coaches had a look like,”Write your name and keep moving.” Another parent mentioned the basketball coaches recruit and being at the Open House is just a formality. How true is this?

SJC sports recruit heavily, across the board.

[Anonymous]

When we went to the open house for Gonzaga a couple years ago, we found the same thing with lacrosse. The kids and coach at the lacrosse table were disengaged and couldn't be bothered. However sports that don't cut like rugby, crew, and fencing had very polite and engaged students and coaches. That's just how it is.

[Anonymous]

If the sport is of interest to you, go watch a school game, reach out to the coach, and talk about your prospects. It is the coach's job to know who the recruitable 7th or 8th graders are. Chances are if you are in that group, he/she already knows you. If he/she doesn't, tell them when you are playing, who you play for, your coach's name, etc so they can get to know you. That show's interest a lot more than wandering by a table at an open house.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the sport, the coaches and the level of talent fighting for spots at SJC. I would assume the basketball coaches already know which 7th and 8th graders they want to be playing for them. That doesn't mean that won't find a few surprises at clinics and workouts so show up whenever there are opportunities. Go to the games and have your child reach out to the coaches. The open house is a tough place to connect with anyone so find a way for your child to stick out. I have had both experiences with coaches. One child was recruited for her sport in 7th grade and another met the coach at a workout and kept in touch. I hope you and your child are not discouraged, SJC is a great community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the sport, the coaches and the level of talent fighting for spots at SJC. I would assume the basketball coaches already know which 7th and 8th graders they want to be playing for them. That doesn't mean that won't find a few surprises at clinics and workouts so show up whenever there are opportunities. Go to the games and have your child reach out to the coaches. The open house is a tough place to connect with anyone so find a way for your child to stick out. I have had both experiences with coaches. One child was recruited for her sport in 7th grade and another met the coach at a workout and kept in touch. I hope you and your child are not discouraged, SJC is a great community.

Ditto, very competitive and the reality is less than 1/4 of kids that try out will make it but, if you believe in your child’s talent don’t be discouraged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the sport is of interest to you, go watch a school game, reach out to the coach, and talk about your prospects. It is the coach's job to know who the recruitable 7th or 8th graders are. Chances are if you are in that group, he/she already knows you. If he/she doesn't, tell them when you are playing, who you play for, your coach's name, etc so they can get to know you. That show's interest a lot more than wandering by a table at an open house.

Do the camps so the coach gets to know your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the sport, the coaches and the level of talent fighting for spots at SJC. I would assume the basketball coaches already know which 7th and 8th graders they want to be playing for them. That doesn't mean that won't find a few surprises at clinics and workouts so show up whenever there are opportunities. Go to the games and have your child reach out to the coaches. The open house is a tough place to connect with anyone so find a way for your child to stick out. I have had both experiences with coaches. One child was recruited for her sport in 7th grade and another met the coach at a workout and kept in touch. I hope you and your child are not discouraged, SJC is a great community.

Ditto, very competitive and the reality is less than 1/4 of kids that try out will make it but, if you believe in your child’s talent don’t be discouraged.

It's important to be realistic about your player's skills. If you are not playing on a club team at a very high level, you won't have much chance in the money sports at SJC. After baseball, basketball, and football, it gets much easier to be ON the team, but even then the best club players will be the starters since even for soccer, field hockey, lax, etc, those players are recruited.

[Anonymous]

If they haven’t been recruited, doubtful they will make team.

[Anonymous]

It really does depend on the sport. The big sports are recruited but plenty of kids do track, equestrian, tennis, Xcountry, crew, golf, hockey, rugby, etc. Many without much previous experience.

My kids were in baseball and soccer. When they got to SJC they decided to mix it up. One went with a different sport and one theater. Both have had great experiences.

[Anonymous]

My kid is doing a non tryout sport and is having the time of their life, after doing nearly no sports in elementary school. lots of options for sports other than the big ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is doing a non tryout sport and is having the time of their life, after doing nearly no sports in elementary school. lots of options for sports other than the big ones.

Is your child at SJC?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone care about academics at SJC? The administrators talk a good talk - we heard the pitch at the open house- but it seems like a sports factory. My 8th grader is not an athlete but seems to be interested in the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone care about academics at SJC? The administrators talk a good talk - we heard the pitch at the open house- but it seems like a sports factory. My 8th grader is not an athlete but seems to be interested in the school.

I got the same impression, but my son is now a senior and has had a great experience at SJCHS. He does not play sports, but did participate in the Cadet Corps leadership program. If you are really interested, urge your kid to discuss their interest in Cadet Corps in the application.