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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've posted here a couple of times bashing the process of not only DCU but many of the academies - really club soccer in general. What I have learned is this - my perspective is not that of others. Nor are my kids' and family needs. I have an academically-focused smaller player who has been scouted by DCU but was not offered. Honestly, had he been, we were unlikely to accept. I know that seems ridiculous to some, but you have to do what is best for your child. The skill level at DCUA is undoubtedly the best in the area. You can also say that there are aspects of the academy that lag far behind Philly Union and others. I'm sure they do something better than some academy out there. But, it's not the best fit for my kid. If you have a kid who lives and breathes soccer, is a good but not great student, and is athletic for his age - you'd be a fool not to accept a DCUA offer. Believe it or not - one size does not fit all in this process. Too many parent egos are involved. Do what's right for your kid and don't bash others for doing what's right for their own. [/quote]

There are several DC Academy kids going to top ranked academic Universities every year.
Ivy League etc

Can you explain your reasoning more on why you don't think its good for a kid who does well academically?[/quote]

PP here...yes, I understand that and it's a good question. In fact, personally know one of them. See him on a weekly basis. Won't add names but this particular kid is doing online school only. Hates it. He was accepted to a high level university and will play soccer there, but misses the engagement. There is  also the aspect of logistics. All of travel soccer requires a time commitment for getting to practice and games. DCUA trains at Segra. If you live in Leesburg, that might work out well. Not everyone lives in Leesburg. Those are two hours (maybe more) of every day that kids miss out on after school activities or school work. Some kids can balance it by doing school work in the car or on a bus. Some can't. That's why I noted that many of the kids are good, maybe even great students. But that doesn't mean the learning situation is ideal for everyone. At some point you have to also make an honest assessment of how much soccer will play a role in your kid's future. Very few (maybe a handful) out of any age group in this area will play competitively past 25 years old. Lots of different ways to prepare for the 50 years after that. DCUA is one but not the best for most. [/quote]

Understand the difficulties. I assume there was a logistic they couldn't work out to be able to attend the onsite program?  My concern at first was also the interaction but the morning training, breaks, and group work together has done a great job of making it feel pretty normal.  It was worth the changes I had to make on my end to accommodate the morning drive. He was on his school bus at 6:30, rushed straight from school to training every day, and then tried to juggle his schoolwork in the car or when he got home close to 10pm each night. It was a lot. The onsite option has really helped him have the social piece but also taken the stress of squeezing in schoolwork when he's exhausted and the crazy drive in ridiculous traffic at 3:45 when he would get out of school. I know that may not have worked for all parents due to work restrictions. I was lucky enough to be mostly remote and have a very flexible boss. [/quote]

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