<p>Would some of you gnostic people mind telling me about this school: location, academics, student population, cut throat vs nurturing, athletics, proximity to nyc?????? Many many thanks!!!!</p>
<p>If you do a search of Blair, you will find much information. They also have a very informative website.</p>
<p>Location: Around 65 miles from NYC using Rt. 80. It is around 7 miles to the Delaware Water Gap, a scenic area that is also run by the National Park Service. It’s campus would be considered rural. However, the village of Blairstown is right next to campus, so students can walk to some shops and restaurants, like deli, pizza, gourmet gallery, haircuts, groceries, books, etc. I think Blair has a van that takes NYers to a nearby bus terminal for the NYC bus every weekend.</p>
<p>Academics: Very good. They have the usual prep school courses plus some unusual ones like marine biology, multivariate calculus and linear algebra, video production, architecture, etc. <a href=“http://www.blair.edu/Admissions/viewbook/Course_List_0809.pdf[/url]”>http://www.blair.edu/Admissions/viewbook/Course_List_0809.pdf</a>. When we were looking a few years ago, it had an established Chinese program. Now that is more common. </p>
<p>Student Population: 78% boarders. NJ has the highest state representation followed by PA. NY is probably the 3rd. Many other states. Just under 10% international with the largest group from Korea.</p>
<p>Strong community that is nurturing. </p>
<p>Athletics: Strongest wrestling program in the country. Other strong programs include basketball, cross country/track, crew, football… The ski team does well, but it’s nothing like Holderness. Some sports perform respectfully and a few could use more strong players. They have a 9-hole golf course and an interesting exchange program with the UK.</p>
<p>V E R Y nurturing…great facilities (new athletic center, student center, girls’ dorm, turf football field, great variety and competitive athletics, fabulous teachers, involved, caring college counseling, interesting and challenging coursework…very small town outside of Blair…great role models, teachers are always available to assist, enrich or just converse - the same goes for most of the administrators, headmaster and people around campus. It is a wonderful place - visit, interact…see if it is the perfect fit for you.</p>
<p>Thank you springisintheair. I have yet to hear anything less than enthusiastic about this school.</p>
<p>This was founded as a school with strong religious connections. What connections remain? Do all types feel at home here? Does it have a very strong Christian orientation??? Does it welcome all types???</p>
<p>Blair welcomes all types [Blair</a> Academy - About Blair](<a href=“http://www.blair.edu/About_Blair/ab_spiritual_life.shtm]Blair”>http://www.blair.edu/About_Blair/ab_spiritual_life.shtm). When we were looking, the religious requirements of Blair were less than the Episcopal schools we considered. </p>
<p>There is a weekly chapel, but it is more of a school meeting with faculty/students discussing judeo/christian values and moral dilemmas. There is a requirement for each student to attend 3 Sunday vespers a semester (6 times a school year), with the required Xmas lessons & carols fulfilling one of these requirements. Vespers can be interesting presentations of different religious beliefs by students of different faiths, or a discussion of what love is. If you search the Blair website for Weekend Highlights, you will find the vespers topic. </p>
<p>There is a requirement to take one course in religion. If you look over the course guide, there are several interesting possibilities. Most freshmen take a course called the “Freshman Cycle” that includes a survey of religions, art and music. </p>
<p>This article was written in 2004, and explains some of the history with the Presbyterian church in Newton [Ever</a> Always: The Campaign for Blair](<a href=“http://www.blair.edu/Campaign/endow_history.htm]Ever”>http://www.blair.edu/Campaign/endow_history.htm), who used to be the trustees of the school. That is no longer the case, and hasn’t been for several decades.</p>
<p>There are happy atheists and agnostics there, as well as many non-christian students.</p>