Anonymous wrote:My son is currently a high level travel player and we are considering private high schools next year. We'll look at Gonzaga, St Johns, Landon, St Albans, St Andres, Bullis, Maret and possible GDS and Sidwell. How are these soccer teams doing? Any of them known for strong programs? He'll continue with his travel team (Arlington) but also would like to play in High School. I know he may need permission but we want to see which teams are worth looking at. (Do any of them recruit?). Thank you!
The teams do well if they have the players. This changes from year to year. So the top team this year can be the bottom team next year or when your kid is a senior or the reverse. The teams are built around seniors and juniors. It would be a huge mistake to pick a high school for the soccer team. Believe it or not many kids whose world is travel soccer are not playing by 12th grade.
Also some schools have 3-4 hours of homework every day plus weekends and require PT participation. Ask about the homework load. Some have light practice sessions because the team is mostly travel players who are going to their club practice after the school’s practice. Others go full in with real practices. Look in to travel times at rush hour from the school’s practice field to club practice fields.
Pick the best high school that fits your kid in terms of culture and academic. Do not pick a high school because they have a good soccer team this year or because of a coach(that can change in 4 years). No one gets recruited from a high school soccer team to college. It all goes through the club. High school soccer is fun for the travel kids because they are playing for their school and friends. Many times there are few parents and a bunch of kids watching and cheering at the games.
High schools do recruit or give preference to standout athletes. It depends on the school. Sometimes the high school coach has pull other times the coach is a part time employee with no pull.