<p>We're looking at private day schools for our son now for 9th grade and I'm totally confused.
Our list that we can "get to" from where we live is: Nobles, Milton, BB&N, Rivers, Concord
and Belmont Hill. Visited St. Seb's open house and did not like it. Our son is academic and likes school; not a nerd, but not a jock either. Looks like some schools only offer varisty or junior varsity sports. Schools such as Commonwealth and BUA and Newman look interesting, but getting into Boston and back every day would be difficult from where we are. Any thoughts on the schools I've listed above. Definitely want to avoid any schools that put the focus on sports. TIA.</p>
<p>I know for a fact that Milton’s academics are wayy more intense and vigorous than any of the other schools you’ve listed.</p>
<p>Have you looked at Boston Latin School? It’s not a private school, but it requires ISEE scores and English and Math grades.</p>
<p>Nobles and Rivers are definitely athletic schools and take great pride in their sports teams. They seem to recruit athletes and want to win ISL titles. That being said, they also offer great opportunities in theatre, art and academics. They are definitely the academic equal of all the other schools mentioned. The best you can do os visit all of the schools. You will definitely know which feels right for your family. Also, you may want to attend some theatre, sports events at the schools between now and the holiday break – check out the kids and the families in a more casual setting – fit is important. Lots of luck to you!</p>
<p>It’s hard to find any day schools that aren’t at least somewhat sports minded. Size can factor into it - Rivers is small for the ISL, so they need a goodly percentage of athletic kids to have enough for various teams.
If you are considering BB&N, you should look at BUA. It’s only about 5 minutes more (I drive past BB&N on my way to BUA.) It is very rigorous academically and best suits kids who are both smart and interested in things intellectual.
Cambridge School of Weston should be within your reach too , in terms of the commute. It’s a very different sort of a school, not in the usual prep mold, and definitely doesn’t emphasize sports.
Belmont Hill, Nobles, Rivers, and Concord all have at least a moderate sports emphasis. (BB&N and Milton I’m less sure about.)
Visit everywhere and talk to parents at schools if possible.</p>
<p>BB&N is definitely sporty, but also works out for people that aren’t so much into that type of thing. It’s required that they take one sport every term, but the winter musical counts as a sport. Their gym is fantastic, too. Both my neighbors have gone there and both loved it. One of them wasn’t so much into sports while the other was. Also, one of my best friend’s brother goes there. He’s rather artsy, but still loves it.
Concord, on the other hand, is focused on arts. When I visited there, they told my mom that varsity girls soccer only plays a few other schools. It’s not very competitive. Same with Cambridge School of Weston.
BUA and Commonwealth are (from what I’ve heard from peers) pretty much only focused on academics. Those schools have been described to me as geeky, but if that’s your type of thing, go for it.</p>
<p>Smiles - yes, BUA and Commonwealth can be described as geeky. The focus is on academics, pure and simple,with a healthy dose of ECs. Interestingly, they both can work well for kids who are already hooked into an EC that is outside of school such as an individual sport (riding, fencing, martial arts all come to mind) , ballet, or music. CSoW is definitely not focused on sports, although it offers a wide range.</p>
<p>I would argue that Commowealth is highly academic, but not really “geeky”. Many of the kids can be described as brilliant, but all seem socially mature and socailly “in tune” if you get my drift. This is no always the case with highly intellectual schools that focus on academics.</p>