<p>I am a current Blair parent who recently found this board, and would be glad to answer any questions anyone may have about the school. It has been a fantastic choice for our DC on all counts. As the OP noted, religion does not play a strong part of campus life, and you can make it a larger or smaller part of your experience there, as you choose. </p>
<p>The kids are busy but have time for a social life. It is a very welcoming and warm community where everyone seems to get along well together. Kids I have met are mature and well-spoken. They seem to have a genuine fondness for each other and are very supportive - you won’t find derisiveness, bullying, put-downs, mean girls, or a dog-eat-dog environment. On Facebook, for example, there is a real camaraderie which seems to be shared among all. Kids of all types mix easily - there aren’t racial, socioeconomic, or athletic divides which I have observed on some other high school campuses. </p>
<p>There are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy and have a balanced life. Take a look at the school’s website and the “15 reasons to come to Blair Academy.” It will give you some sense of this. Sitting in the Armstrong Hipkins Center when an all school meeting was in session, I was struck by just how many offerings there were on campus. Kids came on stage to make various announcements, and others called out in turn inviting others to one activity or another. The school seems to be in a sweet spot for size - at about 450 kids, it is small enough that most people get to know one another pretty well, yet large enough that there can be a lot of activities, course offerings, and the like. </p>
<p>One thing we especially appreciated is that about 80% of the kids board. The local boarders tend to stay on campus, so there is no emptying out on weekends. There is no ‘divide’ between day students and boarders. The school also seems to get along exceptionaly well with the quaint little town of Blairstown, which is walking distance. The Blair golf course is used by the town, for example. There doesn’t seem to be a rift between the boarding school kids and ‘townies’, as I’ve seen sometimes at other schools. There is always much to do on weekends (I think there is public access to the weekend activities list for any particular weekend). Movies, games, various get-togethers, dances, and trips are offered of all kinds. There are community service and leadership opportunities of all kinds. Blair is only 65 miles from NYC, so it makes it possible to see plays and other events in the city. The kids also seem to enjoy just hanging out in their dorm with friends. I’ve seen close friendships form very quickly in this environment. New kids are welcomed and adjust to the school very quickly. There is also no divide between new students and returning ones. Because it was very important to both DC and me to make sure kids who had made the choice to attend Blair were happy, we cornered a number of them during our visits, especially those who were not in an official capacity of any kind, and asked them about their experience to date. As DC says, everyone seemed content with their decision to attend Blair, and this has become even more apparent now that DC is living on campus.</p>
<p>Of course, this post would not be complete without mentioning Peddie Day (which Peddie calls Blair Day). It is a boarding school rivalry which dates to 1903, involving a very fun spirit week at each school, culminating in a pep rally and bonfire, and a day full of sports competition. Great fun for all. I’ve been impressed with the good sportsmanship exhibited on both sides. This year, I even saw a couple of Peddie kids dress up in anonymous suits (with Peddie hats) to sit with Blair kids in the stands, just for the fun of it. Both schools enjoy this day immensely.</p>
<p>I know more than one parent has sent all the kids in the family to Blair, and alums who have gone on to have children who attend Blair as well. It is a great school that is becoming even more so with each passing year. College placement is excellent and getting even better with each passing year, despite the competitive college climate. Last year’s applicant pool to Blair was exceptionally strong and the school is getting more selective. It recently ended an ambitious 10 year program which revamped almost every building on their beautiful campus and turned it entirely pedestrian only. No roads divide the campus. It is gorgeous, near the foot of the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap. Blair has also increased its endowment significantly over recent years.</p>
<p>Please feel free to ask any other questions, either here or via PM or email. Good luck in your search!</p>