Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grade daughter who is excellent at lacrosse, plays for a top travel team and on other nationally recognized teams. We have been contacted by four high schools with strong teams who have asked us to apply, at least for our sport we haven’t filled out any forms but the coaches know who they are looking for.

That's impressive. I hope she knows to choose a high school where she'll be happiest, since high school lacrosse doesn't matter much if at all for elite players.

Yes, my kid was recruited by the St. John's football coach, but decided to stay attend public school to be with his friends.

Yes, schools are interested in athletes. They want to have good sports teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, typically you will at least get some information from that sport’s coach at the same time as existing students so that you aren’t flying blind, and sometimes they reach out directly, come watch club/AAU games, etc.

They cannot “reach out”.

That’s not allowed. The kid or the parent has to make “First Contact”.

Your son cannot be recruited until that occurs. You have to express interest first.

The first contact rule is followed more closely as some schools than others. Simply submitting an athletic interest form indicating what sport your child plays/where gets that ball rolling. Many coaches “randomly” show up at youth games wears their school gear; if you spot them, by all means introduce your kid. You can also reach out directly to the coach to get the ball rolling. Schools may not all “recruit” but the athletic department definitely gives a list to admissions stating their priority kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grade daughter who is excellent at lacrosse, plays for a top travel team and on other nationally recognized teams. We have been contacted by four high schools with strong teams who have asked us to apply, at least for our sport we haven’t filled out any forms but the coaches know who they are looking for.

Is it common for coaches to recruit athletes from travel/AAU teams to a private high school? And if our son hasn’t been recruited, does that mean don’t count on sports helping with admissions? Without an older sibling at a private, and coming from a public middle school without the relationships that K-8 privates have with private high schools, we are wondering if our kid has a chance at all for 9th grade entry.

Yes it’s common for them to recruit and your changes depend on the sport and the school. Sidwell is a basketball powerhouse for example, you aren’t likely to walk on that team without being recruited

BS. A dedicated player who wasn’t recruited can make the team. May not start, but he can make the team.

Thanks all, this is very helpful.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, typically you will at least get some information from that sport’s coach at the same time as existing students so that you aren’t flying blind, and sometimes they reach out directly, come watch club/AAU games, etc.

They cannot “reach out”.

That’s not allowed. The kid or the parent has to make “First Contact”.

Your son cannot be recruited until that occurs. You have to express interest first.

The private high schools are definitely connected to the youth programs.

It’s a symbiotic relationship. The schools want good players and the programs want parents to believe they are connected to the high schools and can help with Admission.

Maplewood Youth Football from Bethesda practices frequently on Prep’s campus. They play “home games” at Prep and at Gonzaga.

These relationships go back decades.

Correction to the above.

It’s the coach of the sport that has to appreciate how good an athlete your DC is. That’s step #1.

These coaches have connections to middle schools and youth programs. They also have friends, alums, parents who tip them to 7th and 8th graders with potential.

The key to this is the coach of the sport (or sports).

That coach presents their of prioritized kids to the AD and makes the case for them.

The AD has a similar list from all the coaches of the various sports. There is, of course, a sports pecking order depending on the school.

The AD has to organize these lists and go to Admissions. The AD is in effect saying, here are the athletes we would like to have.

In order for the first step in this process to occur the AD must become aware that your DC exists and is interested in the school. They must then form an opinion as to just how good the athlete is and how that maps to the needs of the team and the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grade daughter who is excellent at lacrosse, plays for a top travel team and on other nationally recognized teams. We have been contacted by four high schools with strong teams who have asked us to apply, at least for our sport we haven’t filled out any forms but the coaches know who they are looking for.

Is it common for coaches to recruit athletes from travel/AAU teams to a private high school? And if our son hasn’t been recruited, does that mean don’t count on sports helping with admissions? Without an older sibling at a private, and coming from a public middle school without the relationships that K-8 privates have with private high schools, we are wondering if our kid has a chance at all for 9th grade entry.

Yes it’s common for them to recruit and your changes depend on the sport and the school. Sidwell is a basketball powerhouse for example, you aren’t likely to walk on that team without being recruited

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8th grade daughter who is excellent at lacrosse, plays for a top travel team and on other nationally recognized teams. We have been contacted by four high schools with strong teams who have asked us to apply, at least for our sport we haven’t filled out any forms but the coaches know who they are looking for.

Is it common for coaches to recruit athletes from travel/AAU teams to a private high school? And if our son hasn’t been recruited, does that mean don’t count on sports helping with admissions? Without an older sibling at a private, and coming from a public middle school without the relationships that K-8 privates have with private high schools, we are wondering if our kid has a chance at all for 9th grade entry.

Yes, typically you will at least get some information from that sport’s coach at the same time as existing students so that you aren’t flying blind, and sometimes they reach out directly, come watch club/AAU games, etc.

I have an 8th grade daughter who is excellent at lacrosse, plays for a top travel team and on other nationally recognized teams. We have been contacted by four high schools with strong teams who have asked us to apply, at least for our sport we haven’t filled out any forms but the coaches know who they are looking for.

How much does being a good athlete (high travel level) help a student to get into high school at GDS, Potomac, Maret, Sidwell, etc. assuming that the student has also done well academically in middle school? Student does not have any siblings and coming from a public school so no hooks there.

What is the purpose of the athletic interest/inquiry google forms for upper schools if the schools say that the form is shared primarily with the Athletics Department. What comes from filling out the forms? Does the coach at the school reach out, etc.?