Fencing at Boarding Schools

Prep School Admissions Prep School Cafe
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<p>It must seem quite insignificant to make a thread for one small question.
But at Andover, is fencing an interscholastic sport or is it simply a club?
And if it is an interscholastic sport do they only have Foil or do they have Epee as well?</p>

<p>The only school I am certain that has fencing as an interscholastic sport is Lawrenceville. However, I question if they too only offer Foil. (Since practically everyone knows Foil). </p>

<p>And if you do attend any of the schools mentioned above could you please describe how tryouts and practices go?</p>

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<p>Dana Hall in Massachusetts has fencing, but I don’t know anything about their program. It is a girls school.</p>

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<p>Andover has it as a club.</p>

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<p>At The Hockaday School (for girls) in Dallas , it is a varsity sport and teaches all weapons. Practices (Mon-Fri 4-6pm is combined with another all-boys school (St. Mark’s School of Texas). Almost everyone gets into varsity but the experience level of fencers varies from National High ranking to newbies. Most would do tutorials at local clubs during off-season to remain competitive.</p>

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<p>AFAIK, I’m the only “fencing dad” (not unlike “Dance Moms”?) active on the BS subforum, so I’ll take a stab (hah!) at answering.</p>

<p>The following is based solely on my own due diligence in helping 7D2 put together a list of schools to consider when she applied during the 2013-14 cycle. Take it as a starting point rather than an exhaustive review.</p>

<p>For reference, 7D2 is a rated and nationally ranked fencer. Because of her relatively high level of experience/skill, we only looked at schools that had an official team…schools with “clubs” didn’t make the cut (Emma Willard doesn’t even have a club, but is included due to a special program they have in place that supports students with extracurricular interests).</p>

<p>Culver Academies
In Indiana. Boys’ side is a military academy; girls’ side is modeled in a similar manner. I think the head coach is ex-Notre Dame, which has one of the best D1 fencing programs in the country. They have all three weapons, but for some reason I think of them as more of a saber school (possibly due to military connection). Also, current Princeton sabreuse Desirae Major won the U20 class at JOs when she was a junior at Culver.
<a href=“http://www.culver.org/athletics-page/girls-sports/fencing/overview”>http://www.culver.org/athletics-page/girls-sports/fencing/overview&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The Hun School
A mostly day school (6th grade through PG) in the Princeton area that has a small boarding program. NJ is a hotbed of high school fencing (for both public and private schools). Hun seems to compete largely against other NJ private schools. They field all 3 weapons in both genders. Head coach is a Princeton grad and former Princeton fencer. In recent years, Hun has had a few national-standout fencers go through their program.
<a href=“http://www.hunschool.org/student-life/athletics/index.aspx”>http://www.hunschool.org/student-life/athletics/index.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Lawrenceville
Also in the Princeton area. Fields all 3 weapons in both genders. Has a better track record in recent State competition than Hun. A few recent/current team members were/are national caliber…including at least one international medalist. Current Princeton epeeist Christina Efthimion is a grad. Has separate coaches for all three weapon types. Lawrenceville has Saturday classes and some athletic requirements that make it challenging (but not impossible) for elite fencers to continue to train and compete outside of the school schedule/resources.
<a href=“http://www.lawrenceville.org/athletics/list/index.aspx”>http://www.lawrenceville.org/athletics/list/index.aspx&lt;/a&gt;
 
Masters School
A K-12 private school in Westchester, NY that has a boarding program for upper schoolers. The head coach was the captain of the 2012 Olympic fencing team and continues to serve in that role (more of a mentor/guide/liaison to the FIE at international events) for the national teams. Two assistant coaches are both very accomplished, internationally competitive fencers (one is still in the upper echelon of the Senior men’s rankings). Competes in NYC-area scholastic league (ISFL)…perennial championship contender in both individual and team categories. Fields all three weapons in both genders. Proximity to NYC means there are numerous options for supplemental and/or off-season training. Are in the process of building a new multi-purpose building that looks like it will have the best dedicated fencing facility of any high school in the country.
<a href=“http://mastersny.finalsite.com/page.cfm?p=519”>http://mastersny.finalsite.com/page.cfm?p=519&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Oregon Episcopal School
This school only recently popped onto my radar. They partner with famed coach Ed Korfanty (who trains two-time Olympic gold medalist Mariel Zagunis) and two other very strong local clubs to offer elite level fencing training. I think if you are an elite saber fencer and want train with Korfanty, this would be the #1 option.
<a href=“http://www.oes.edu/fencing/”>http://www.oes.edu/fencing/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>All-Girls Schools with Fencing Teams</p>

<p>Dana Hall
I’ve heard this all-girls school in Wellesley, MA has a great fencing facility and strong coach. Proximity to Boston allows outside training with a choice of strong clubs. At least one national-caliber fencer has gone through program recently.
<a href=“http://www.danahall.org/athletics/index.aspx”>http://www.danahall.org/athletics/index.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Hockaday
While not discussed that much on the forum, Hockaday has a great reputation in Texas. When I think of Hockaday fencing, I think of the Youngblood sisters, who are currently on the teams at Princeton and Stanford.
<a href=“http://www.hockaday.org/podium/default.aspx?t=115115”>http://www.hockaday.org/podium/default.aspx?t=115115&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Other schools to consider:</p>

<p>Hackley (5 day boarding only)
Hackley competes in the ISFL, the same league as Masters. I have placed in separate category because it only offers a 5-day boarding program…which limits appeal to non-locals.
<a href=“Athletics”>http://www.hackleyschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=115837&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Emma Willard
Emma does not have a fencing team, but has had a number of fencers train and compete through high school via their Practicum program…which supports girls who want to pursue interests outside of school (could be athletic, equestrian, music, art, internship/work-study, etc.). Strong local club is sabre-centric, but students can also work with coach from nearby RPI in all weapons.
<a href=“http://www.emmawillard.org”>http://www.emmawillard.org</a></p>

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<p>Wow you must know a lot about fencing @SevenDad! </p>

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<p>Correction: Masters is grades 5-12 (not K-12 as listed above).</p>

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<p>Just saw on some other forum that a foilist from Exeter is heading to Harvard to fence next year. I know that Exeter has a club…perhaps the training resources are stronger in that region than I was aware of?</p>

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<p>I’d say it’s more due to her fencing academy in Kansas than any resources in NH.</p>

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<p>@skieurope: As most top U19 fencers started when they were Y10s or Y12s, you are probably right. But training and competing during the school year does matter — or at least I think it matters (with regard to my own kid). I just checked and the Exeter fencer is not in the Top 20 on the Junior Points list (she’s 35th)…which may have less to do with her skill/talent level than her ability to attend the various and sundry national and international tournaments that contribute to one’s ranking. FWIW, some of the best fencers I know of are home schooled…as that allows max flex in training the competition.</p>

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<p><a href=“https://k12.niche.com/rankings/private-high-schools/best-overall/”>https://k12.niche.com/rankings/private-high-schools/best-overall/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Oregon Episcopal is rated very highly.</p>

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If you are in the NYC/NJ area St. Peter’s Prep, though not a boarding school, is an all boys school with a rigorous academic and fencing program. They have placed in the top 8 in NJ over the past 2 years. Students have access to the huge number of clubs in NJ and NYC from Jersey City.