<p>Would anyone who is a student at Blair, is a parent of a student at Blair, or in some other way has a connection to Blair, be willing to share some experiences about student life, etc. at Blair? What do you love/hate? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Blair Academy is a wonderful, nurturing community of active learners and fabulous, engaging teachers. The facilities are top notch and many are new and improved (brand new turf field, student center, gym, arts center, tennis courts and girls dorm). The athletics are very good and there are alot of different opportunities to be involved. Overall, the school is full of great kids who really want to be there to learn and be involved in all Blair has to offer. The college counseling center staff are very knowledgeable, helpful and involved in each student's goals. Visiting, interviewing and just casually talking to the students and adults are all ways to get a feel for the terrific things the school can offer. Try to sit in on a school meeting or attend one of the many arts and theater programs or sporting event...they will all give you a glimpse into the sense of community, pride and involvement of the Blair students and faculty...It is a beautiful campus with a feeling and flow that is difficult to completely describe until you experience it.</p>
<p>My son is on the wait list. It is a beautiful campus and all the people there seemed wonderful. The Wrestling team won the national prep title for the 29th year in a row. Yes, I said 29 straight years. I believe the football team won the conference this past year with a 9-0 record. The athletic facilities that they just built are terrific. Our student guide said the food is actually really good. When the Lawrenceville kids come up for sports they look forward to the food. Just a really nice place to be.</p>
<p>I am a current parent. </p>
<p>I think the sense of community is very strong at Blair. For a medium-sized boarding school, they offer a good selection of classes, and students are encouraged to excel academically. The athletic offerings are strong, and there are opportunities to try new sports. The arts are good too, and they have an exceptional video production program.</p>
<p>As an example of how strong the community is, this year I went to Peddie Day (called Blair Day at Peddie). This is the annual athletic competition in early November. I was amazed to see what felt like at least 50 tailgate displays from different alum groups. I could not believe how elaborate some of the displays were, and how many eating opportunities there were. These were loyal alums who come back to their high school. I was told that there were a few more than usual because of the opening of some new athletic facilities, but still, I was impressed with the level of alumni loyalty. It spoke volumes to me about how much these people care about the school.</p>
<p>Are you trying to decide whether or not to attend? I hope you can go to the revisit day. If you can give me some specifics about the types of things you are looking for, I can give you some impressions.</p>
<p>I just want to hear what people have to say about their experience at Blair. </p>
<p>If you were a boarder did you feel there were a lot of activities on the weekends for you? Is there a disconnect between day students and boarders? Do you like boarding there? Do you have internet access in your room? Do you feel bummed out at not having the dining hall always open? Can you study where you want during study hall? What do you hate? What do you love?</p>
<p>I'm a former parent, but I asked a couple of Blair grads for input for you. Answers: There are plenty of weekend activities. Most students are involved in a sport, and remember, there are morning classes most Saturdays. It is not unusual for a boarder to go home with a day student for Saturday night (or a boarder who lives closer to the school) on occasion. There are also trips to NY and to the mall or ski areas. There is internet access in the rooms and cell phones are allowed (didn't used to be). No complaints about the dining hall. Kids keep snacks in their rooms or walk down to the convenience store in town (just a block away) or the pizza place. Some kids list the pizza place owner (Lou) as their advisor. Not sure what the current rules are regarding study hall locations- these kids were upperclassmen and I think things may have gotten more restrictive for freshmen and less so for upper level students. Saturday classes were not popular with everyone. The Skeptics lecture series is very popular with all the kids. One student wished the campus was closer to a large city. One negative was having to obey school rules 24/7 (true at all boarding schools).</p>
<p>These students were boarders, and there is a limit of 25% day students. The day students integrate well, and have a "day student lounge" for their use. Several day students are faculty kids.</p>
<p>That's great! I love how Lou was listed as some of the students advisor! Does anyone know or have a student who is really honest with them about things such as the amount of drug use on campus, pressure to conform vs. accepting individuality and things of that nature? What about the balance of sporty people vs. arty people? </p>
<p>Thanks for all the candid responses!!</p>
<p>My kid is very honest with me (especially after the fact) since he is now over 21. He seemed to think that while there was some drug use at Blair (and a few busts), most of the kids were too afraid of being kicked out to do drugs at school. Weekend off-campus parties might be a different story, but remember, there are a lot of serious athletes who are in training. Alcohol was the bigger thing, and, again, not very much at all ON campus. Just too risky. Lots of sporty people but with 400 kids, also an artsy crowd. I didn't get an overly preppy feel from the place, although my own kid tended to be a little that way. What struck me was that a group of varsity athletes was likely to form a philosophy club that would get together Friday nights in the dorm and debate Ayn Rand! You didn't have to fit into one mold.</p>
<p>would you say the overall feel for the campus is more liberal or conservative?</p>
<p>A current Blair student "rightwing" used to post on this board. You can try sending him a private message by searching his name. </p>
<p>My guess is that it is on the conservative side of liberal. Students voted 60% for Obama. </p>
<p>There are multiple weekend activities including trips to the mall, movies, games, dorm intramurals, trips to NYC (including museums, plays and festivals), community service opportunities, Blair plays, horseback riding, paintball, etc.</p>
<p>Are you able to go to revisit? You will be able to mix with students then. When my son had his revisit, his host took him to his dorm to hang out a little. </p>
<p>Given your name, if you like golf and it's a nice day, you can play the Blair course in the afternoon.</p>
<p>If you are a girl, be sure to visit the dorms in Annie's Hall. I don't think freshmen stay there, but after that you might be able to stay there. I'm told it's air conditioned, and the lobby on the first floor is lovely.</p>
<p>bump 10 char</p>
<p>Burb Parent -- Please remember the rules and use the word "nurturing" in your posts.
The Blair admissions people are watching (and posting?).</p>
<p>How do the academics at Blair compare to say, Loomis? Is there any concern that the endowment is relatively small (65 mill)? Despite a relatively small endowment they just completed a major renovation of athletic facilities, right?</p>
<p>Well... Average endowment is 16mil, 65mil is a lot if you think about it...</p>
<p>Principal,
Very well taken point. Do you know anything about the academics in relation to Loomis and the NJ schools (Peddie, Lawrenceville)?</p>
<p>From what I have *heard<a href="not%20sure%20how%20accurate">/i</a>, Loomis seems to be the best. They also seem to have an amazing arts program. In terms of athletics I believe Blair may be better, not sure.</p>
<p>P.S. The 65mil seems small because of billion dollar monsters like Exeter :).</p>
<p>Well, was ten to the ninth power, now more like 800 times ten to the sixth power.</p>
<p>Over the last 20 years, the trustees of Blair have been upgrading the entire campus adding several new buildings, refurbishing others, adding new tennis courts, turf football field with lights, acquiring another 100 acres and more. The new Fieldhouse and Student Center are the latest additions. While the endowment has been increasing, the focus has been on offering first-rate facilities.</p>
<p>Both Blair and Loomis have students with a range of academic abilities. Blair average SSAT is 70%, the reported one for Loomis is 78% -- higher, but not that different. Loomis is much larger, so I am guessing that they can offer more courses. </p>
<p>Of course Blair would like to have a larger endowment, but it is a healthy size. In a way, endowment should be considered endowment/student. Blair's endowment is good for a school its size. Of course, there are others with larger endowments, but the significant majority have lower endowments/student.</p>