Maret's team may not be very good but the coach is amazing. I agree with the others, club is much more important than high school so choose the best fit in terms of culture, development, academics etc.

Anonymous wrote:I firmly believe that the school doesn’t matter. It’s all about club. Keep her on the best club you can and send her to the best academic school you can.

Girls at good schools who don’t play sports go to better schools than girls who great at lacrosse at average schools. IMO

This. Exactly.

Anonymous wrote:I firmly believe that the school doesn’t matter. It’s all about club. Keep her on the best club you can and send her to the best academic school you can.

Girls at good schools who don’t play sports go to better schools than girls who great at lacrosse at average schools. IMO

+1

I firmly believe that the school doesn’t matter. It’s all about club. Keep her on the best club you can and send her to the best academic school you can.

Girls at good schools who don’t play sports go to better schools than girls who great at lacrosse at average schools. IMO

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't sleep on Sidwell. Strong academics and excellent coach. Club is far more important than school for recruiting.

Sidwell certainly has great academics but the lacrosse is very low level. Watched the lower division final game, and frankly their team would lose to the JV teams of the big 4. Yes a couple of girls have found their way to D1, but it is the big exception. Don't spend 4 years playing against weak practice players and games. Virtually everyone will not improve at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op-What kind of academic experience, and non-lacrosse aided college placement are you looking for?

My dd is an A- / B+ student, she would like to go to a strong academic school but I don’t expect her to be the valedictorian. I don’t know what college that translates to, or if her lacrosse continues to be top notch is that helps her get to a better school.

Got it. Makes sense. If lacrosse is top notch, can definitely help leverage up to a better school.

With that background, I would say you aren't really looking for a Potomac, NCS, or Sidwell.

From your initial list, I would think SSSAS, SJC, and SR may all make sense. (No need for the partisans to clap back that SR is as good as NCS or Potomac academically because it is not accurate). I know there was a defense of Single A ISL programs above, but if the player is really ready to play top notch lacrosse, ISL AA or WCAC top 4 would be better fits, although there is good coaching at NCS and Sidwell.

So your next line considerations could be coaching/culture fit, position composition in current classes, commute, etc. Co-ed status and school spirit also can come into play depending on the kid. The good thing about the top 6-9 of the combined ISL and WCAC, is that the schools give you a range of good options. Good luck with your process.

Anonymous wrote:In terms of lacrosse programs and coaching staff, SSSAS, SR, and Potomac stand out as top choices. SJC, Visi, GC too! Even if the head coaches were to depart, these schools will attract exceptional replacements. These institutions offer excellent programs and academic opportunities. Disregard any negative comments from individuals who may have unrealistic expectations for their child's playing time. Enrolling your child in any of the aforementioned schools guarantees a quality education and exposure to high-caliber lacrosse players bound for Division 1 teams. It is common for students to not make varsity until their junior year, unless they consistently outperform their older peers.

Consider that at most good lax schools if your child is not a starter by a certain year she may be treated differently by her teammates of the same year that are starters. That may bother your child. If so consider a school where they will be a star and accepted better socially. Culture comes from the top down. If the coach treats you like a second class citizen the kids will too. This is especially important at schools that start earlier than 9th and where cliques have already formed. Being a starter will help with social acceptance. And while a good lax school can be helpful, nothing can make up for a positive high school experience. Being a benchwarmer at a good school can have a lot of drawbacks socially and athletically and might not be worth it if you’re at a good club.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't sleep on Sidwell. Strong academics and excellent coach. Club is far more important than school for recruiting.

But they’re in the lower bracket so not great competition

Doesn't really matter for recruiting. I have a kid in lower division that did just fine in recruiting. And, got a better education than is available at most or all of the upper division schools.

If your daughter is good she will get recruited from any of the schools in the area. The main draw has to be academics and social fit for school. Her Club Lacrosse will be all she needs for Div 1. Girls from all of these schools playing Div 1 if they were on Cap Blue, M&D Black and so on. She can enjoy being the star and Captain of the team at Maret or DJO or Sidwells or she can be a key player at SR, Potomac, Sssas or Visi Any of these paths will work.

Anonymous wrote:Op-What kind of academic experience, and non-lacrosse aided college placement are you looking for?

My dd is an A- / B+ student, she would like to go to a strong academic school but I don’t expect her to be the valedictorian. I don’t know what college that translates to, or if her lacrosse continues to be top notch is that helps her get to a better school.

Op-What kind of academic experience, and non-lacrosse aided college placement are you looking for?

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't sleep on Sidwell. Strong academics and excellent coach. Club is far more important than school for recruiting.

But they’re in the lower bracket so not great competition

It’s lacrosse, yes.

I hear some of these coaches are very intense, sometimes unhealthy. Is that true?

Holy child should be in the mix as well for both of those reasons.