Okay, so, let’s talk about hockey prep schools. I’ve been digging into this lately, and I wanted to share what I’ve been up to and what I’ve found. This whole process started because my kid’s getting serious about hockey, and we’re trying to figure out the best way to support him.
First, I started to search for these schools. A lot of people talk about them online, but the information’s kind of scattered. So I started calling around to different schools and chatting with some parents whose kids are already in these programs.
What I Did First
- Made a list of schools that kept coming up in conversations and online. I jotted down names like Phillips Academy and Culver Academy.
- Called the schools. I wanted to get a feel for the vibe, you know? Asked about their hockey programs, their academic side, and how they balance the two.
- Talked to other parents. This was super helpful. Got some real-talk about what it’s like to have a kid in one of these schools, the good and the bad.
Then I started to visit the school. I wanted to see the rinks, the classrooms, and just get a general feel for the place. It’s one thing to hear about it, but seeing it in person is totally different. I tried to meet with some of the coaches, too. Not just to hear about their training methods, but to see if they seemed like people I’d trust with my kid’s development.
My Next Steps
- Visited schools. Walked around the campuses, checked out the facilities. It’s pretty impressive, not gonna lie.
- Met with coaches. Had some good conversations. Learned a lot about their philosophies and how they work with the players.
- Compared notes. Started putting all this info together, weighing the pros and cons of each school.
After that, I started comparing notes. Like, which schools seemed to have the best balance between academics and hockey? Which ones had the best facilities? And, honestly, which ones felt like the best fit for my kid’s personality? This part took a while. Lots of thinking, lots of back and forth. And of course, I involved my kid in these discussions. His input is super important, obviously.
Finally, we narrowed it down to a few top choices. It felt like a huge relief to get to that point. We scheduled some more in-depth visits to these schools, this time with my kid. He got to meet some of the players, sit in on some classes, and even skate with the team a bit. That was a big deal, seeing him on the ice with those guys. It really helped him get a feel for what it would be like to be a student there.
So, that’s where we are now. We’re still mulling it over, but we’re definitely closer to making a decision. It’s been a long process, a lot of work, but I feel like we’re doing the right thing. We’re really trying to make the best choice for our kid’s future, both in hockey and in life. I’ll keep you guys posted on what we decide!
