Importance of Athletics at Brooks/Governors/Middlesex/Exeter

How would a kiddo who only likes the arts do at these schools? I hear there is a sports requirement but what is it really like if you aren’t very athletic? Would you be thought of as nerdy? Are there better choices for an artsy kid?

I think a kid with that profile would have a hard time getting accepted by Exeter. Not sure about the others. all four schools are very sports focused. Meaning it is part of the culture of physical and intellectual well-rounded-ness. At PEA you must take a fitness class each term if you dont play a sport. You can opt out one term. Now its not just that PEA is a school that values sports along side academics it is that the arts are not their forte. I think schools like Mercersburg, Tabor and many others have more robust art programs. Again, cant speak for the other schools OP asked about.

Middlesex does have required sports each season and though I was initially not that hyped about it I think it’s a great program. Let me clarify, before MX I had never properly played a sport before, I was ‘artsy’ and focused on academia. I was very embarrassed that I hadn’t played any sport before and was honestly dreading it. But I found out that a multitude of sports have a 3rds team, and a good number of kids have never played that sport either. The coaches made it fun and after a stressful day (which is a good portion of the days) it is a good outlet. After your sophomore year, you can elect out of a traditional sport and do things like yoga, rec fit (which I have heard is super fun from upperclassmen), etc. And if you are totally not a sports person you can become a manager and manage a team. No one looks down at you for not being in varsity or for not liking sports.

Most of the schools you mention are ISL and as DS has said to me…he loves ISL because they don’t seem as cutthroat sports oriented and kids are given better opportunities to experience sports. All of those schools require you to participate in a sport each season, but I think you’ll find, like @Atria described, many kids like yourself who are not sports-focused.

The lack of PGs makes a big difference I think @buuzn03 .

@GMC2918 -absolutely! We ranked ISL schools high because of that, in hopes DS (being from Tx, especially) would get a better chance to move up the ranks in hockey vs having spots given to PGs. But I think it works to the advantage of those not “sports-y,” too!

I know the deadline is tomorrow, but would she consider applying to Concord Academy? It’s a better match for a smart artsy kid than the schools on her current list.

@Atria Most days are stressful? Do the mindfulness classes help?

Source: https://www.mxschool.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2015-16AthleticHandbook.pdf

I agree with sue22: Concord Academy is a better fit for a non-sports kid. We added and dropped schools due to how strong/weak they were in sports. If your kid loves a particular sport, you have to collect the data to make sure not only that the coach is strong but also try to weigh if the kid will be able to play and at what level.

@CaliMex Personally, I prefer drawing and painting than mindfulness to alleviate academic stress :), for some reason it didn’t appeal to me as much… But for many students it is a very much vital part of their day…

Is it that stressful?

@CaliMex For the most part of the school year, no. Not for me. I didn’t feel extremely stressed until exam week, and to be honest it was because I managed my time poorly the weeks prior. However, the month is almost always speckled with days that cause many people stress. It’s not as bad for freshmen, but apparently, it ramps up in sophomore year. The writing is the most stressful. Actually, the most stress I have felt is because of English, the writing workshop is intense and English class expectations are high.