Appreciate school advice for DS, repeat 10th grade, Northeast, Lacrosse

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
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Hi everyone, new to this forum and enjoying all the info

Looking at schools with my DS. Likely to repeat 10th grade

He did private MS and not enjoying local public HS (although doing well academically there)

His main ‘hook’ is lacrosse and has been contacted by many BS coaches in this regard

test optional important. does very well in classroom, standard tests not so much

He gets A’s at local high school but has struggled academically in the past (which is why he was moved to private MS)

Sooo, I’ll get to the point:

Any inside scoops/insights on our current list (which we need to narrow), or any schools we should consider that aren’t on the list:

Lakes Region NH schools: he likes *NHS, KUA, ?Holderness, ? Brewster)

Founders: Visited *Loomis and likes a lot, also Salisbury, Hotch, ?Avon (pending visits)

ISL: MSX, St G

Misc: Williston*, Cushing, NMH*

TY!

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There is a vast difference in the academics (pace, expectations etc) between Hotchkiss and Salisbury. I have 3 sons; 2 went to Hotchkiss and the other one applied to Salisbury, and we seriously considered it for him. I am not as familiar with the other schools.

If your son struggled at all academically (and I know there could be a bunch of different reasons, none of which have to do with intelligence) I would think long and hard about Hotchkiss.

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Because Hotchkiss academics are demanding!

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Thank you, agreed

So b/c of his GPA he has had interest from PE, PA, etc. but I’m not sure that is the right fit

He does not lack work ethic (has no issue cranking out homework), but would not fare well in a pressure cooker

5

I would look at Westminster if you haven’t yet. Top notch lacrosse, good academics but less of a pressure cooker than Loomis. AOF also might be a good fit if he doesn’t mind all boys.

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Take a look at Taft. High profile lacrosse team with academics a notch down from Hotchkiss, Andover, etc.

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Agree on Westy.

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If you are a strong lax player, you MUST look at Deerfield Academy. They have won national championships and NE championships. Players earn top college team recruiting spots. Send highlight film and speak to coach Chip Davis (who is also in Admissions)!

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I would say, it really depends if the academics at DA are a fit for this strong LAX player. A talented LAX player can stand out on both great and merely good teams, but if the academics aren’t a fit…it might be “hello Mr. 69” and not “hello Mr. 89”.

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There is a thread entitled “Schools with Academic Support” and that was one of the best thread on this board for me, perhaps to you too.
I think some of the school you are considering were listed in the thread as schools with great extras helps and dedicated offices for learning support.

Good luck!

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My son is a sixth form at Saint James School in Hagerstown, Maryland. The admissions director there is John Tucker (linking his bio below…it is not completely updated) who is a lacrosse He is committed to growing the lacrosse team.