<p>My son got into both schools and we are planning to revisit each school. Both are strong academically, with very good athletic programs and facilities. I am leaning towards Blair because it is within driving distance and I can attend more of his games. Any thoughts on these two schools....it might help me sort things out.</p>
<p>Congratulations on 2 wonderful acceptances. I have a son at Blair, and he is very happy there. I have a number of friends and acquaintances who are Deerfield grads, but I don't know anyone with children there now. I feel confident talking about Blair, but not Deerfield. My son didn't want a coat & tie school, so it was not a consideration.</p>
<p>One the things I like about Blair is that is truly is a family environment. That is, it is a closely-knit community with almost all the faculty living on campus. When I visit, many people know my child. I think it would be different at a larger school. In addition to strong academics, Blair students also have time for fun.</p>
<p>My son does well when he can be among the top students and can take the honors track. At Blair, he can this. This might not have been possible for him at a school like Deerfield. The college matriculation at Blair is impressive for those students who are most competitive academically. Scholar/athletes do very well. </p>
<p>Since I know nothing about your son except that he likes to play sports, I don't know what else to say. If you have specific questions, feel free to pm me or post here.</p>
<p>Both are wonderful schools. Congratulations. My experience is with Blair as well. The leadership at Blair is impressive. The high road is always taken, and your son will have exceptional adult mentors whose doors are always open (residences as well as offices). There is respect for students of all abilities and talents. Blair alum include NBA basketball players, top ranked college wrestlers, daughters of CNN broadcasters and other notable people. Every bit as much attention is given to a "regular" kid. If you live close enough to be involved in the Blair community, go for it. I'm jealous! My son graduated a couple of years ago, and we still go back to visit a coach/teacher who will remain a life-long friend.</p>
<p>I can tell you that they are quite different in several ways, not the least of which is that Deerfield is a more buttoned down school literally and figuratively. Blair is more informal, less "old school". Deerfield is the "superior" school, but to beat an old horse, fit is everything. Blair must be doing something right, as witnessed by the vociferous proponents of the school on this board.</p>
<p>I note the word lax in your screen name: if lacrosse is important to your son, there is no comparison. Deerfield has one of the top programs in the entire country while Blair, ummmmm, does not.</p>
<p>Good to see you still here Fun... :)</p>
<p>I have no experience with Blair. My Deerfield knowledge is from spending some time on campus and from knowing many students and faculty/staff (not first hand as a parent).</p>
<p>Deerfield does not have Saturday classes. They have a formal dress code. They have family-style meals 7 or so times a week (for us, that helps build a sense of community and the family environment). Faculty pretty much all live on campus, but while it is a larger school (I think?) I have witnessed teachers and staff knowing everyone. Deerfield is mostly boarders and many of the day students are faculty kids, so essentially boarders as well - meaning they all stay around on weekends. Day students return as well. It is a real community. </p>
<p>Deerfield had an undefeated lacrosse season last year and have 4 teams (I think) - it is definately one of their "showcase" sports.</p>
<p>Two wonderful schools and two wonderful choices. Your son just needs to determine which one feels better and which one will provide more of what he needs. He will work hard at either school. Weigh both carefully and I'm sure you'll all make the right choice! Congratulations!</p>
<p>Most of the Blair faculty lives on campus as well. The school is 75% boarding, with most of the day students faculty kids or kids from the small town on Blairstown or neighboring small towns. </p>
<p>Basketball, cross country and wrestling are top sports.</p>
<p>Deerfield is stronger academically but Blair is just under. I know more about Deerfield. Deerfield is in a rural area with no towns within walking distance. Many people think Deerfield is the most preppy school. (The shirts have been described as Easter egg colors. I personally think the color of the shirts are the color of the trummalump trees in the Lorax.) I'd say the deciding factor will be if he likes the preppy feeling or more of a layed back sort of school.</p>
<p>My daughter is in her second year at Blair and the school has been a wonderful experience. I think they do an exellent job of bridging the gap between allowing indepence and growth and helping to progress through the difficult teenage years. Try to speak to as many students as you can during the revisit and you should come away quite impressed. The headmaster is tops, do not miss out talking with him.</p>
<p>Deerfield isn't THAT large of a school, Linda S. There are around 500 kids.</p>
<p>Deerfield is 600 - 80 day students- I meant it is larger than Blair.</p>
<p>I think it's "Truffula" trees.</p>
<p>Oh sorry, I misinterpreted. I thought you meant Deerfield was a "large" school i general. Not sure how I got that.</p>
<p>i do not know blair but it sounds like two very different schools. both will get you into good colleges if you do the work. one is formal and the other is not. the lax program at deerfield is tops. this is really all about fit and the importance of the lacrosse. i am a lacrosse player as well and looked at team rankings. but i play two other sports and need to consider them in my final decision as well.</p>
<p>this is last year's lax new england rankings:</p>
<p>Regional</a> Ratings</p>
<p>i only looked at schools here but the site ranks other regions as well.</p>
<p>Yes it is truffala trees.</p>
<p>If athletics, especially lacrosse, are important to your son you need to dig deeper into the program at Deerfield. (No Flames Please) One of the reasons that we were told that Deerfield's lax team is on top is because they have a huge number of PG players. (as do several teams in their division) This makes it difficult for juniors and seniors to get playing time. No playing time as a junior makes it difficult to be recruited by colleges. When my son interviewed at Deerfiedl (he didn't apply) this was confirmed by the school and was mentioned to us by several coaches at other schools.</p>
<p>yes, truffula trees.</p>
<p>DF does have PGs on LAX team, but no more than 2 or 3, not a "huge" number.</p>
<p>Both schools are excellent in their own ways. Both schools were known as jock schools in the 70's and they both have transformed into stronger academic institutions. Deerfield is in many ways is the ideal representation of the classic prep school: strong traditions, traditional emphasis on personal responsibility, gorgeous campus, historic town, preppy clothing, rigorous academics, excellent athletics and kids from wealthy families from all over the country. Blair does not attempt to follow that model. It blends some aspects of the classic model with a concerted effort to offer a more inclusive, family-like like environment and a greater emphasis on creating a cooperative and supportive community. It is much more NY/NJ centric. The headmaster at Blair has really done a lot to transform the school.</p>
<p>Deerfield's lacrosse tends to dominate the highly competitive West 1 division (2-Loomis, 3- Hotchkiss, 4-Westminster, 5-Taft, 6-Choate and others). They do recruit lacrosse PGs and they benefit from some of the other PGs, especially hockey, who play lacrosse as well. They also attract a lot of top lacrosse players who want to be part of a successful program. If your son is an above average player he will probably make it to varsity sooner and have more playing time at Blair. Blair usually as a 50/50 seasons which includes getting severely spanked by Lawrenceville. If he has ambition to play collegiate lacrosse he should consider Deerfield.</p>