Blair Academy Reviews

Our son's experience has been outstanding. The faculty and administration manage to balance challenge and comfort very effectively. As importantly, our son is genuinely happy to attend.

The Prep A Final in Girls basketball was played on 2/26/19. The visitors (Pennington) were definitely the underdog. A hard fought game back and forth ensued for the four quarters of play. After Blair Academy lost in the final minutes of the game a poor display of sportsmanship was shown by the coach and the team. Both walked out after the game and did not shake hands or present the winning trophy to the opposing team. I have never saw such a display by a coach. What are you showing your players? A team does not always win and to lose gracefully is all part of the game as a competitor and coach. This lack of sportsmanship by the coach and team was the topic of conversation after the game by many of the parents watching at the gym and online. Why was there no short ceremony congratulating the runner-up and winners? Every Prep Final has had this for years. The AD just handed the trophy to the coach... No announcement, no congratulations by the announcer... NOTHING! Please teach all athletes that it is okay to lose with dignity and respect. Just last week, Pennington lost in the MCT Finals and handled it with pure respect for themselves and their opponent. The coaching staff should be commended for showing the girls how to handle a loss with dignity. The lack of respect for the visiting team was an embarrassment for Blair Academy & needs to be addressed. Remember you are not only representing yourself as a coach and athlete, but you are a representing your school, Blair Academy. Is this what you want Blair Academy to be known for? I think not.

I had no support from staff. I was, and still am, a great student. The school never recognized my potential and rejected me based on false information. They care more about image and less about potential and ability.

Blair is a remarkable and unique place. My son loves 100% of his teachers (whereas he was never above 50/50 in middle and elementary school). The administrators make an extraordinary effort to connect with and support all of the students (e.g. pizza parties at the Head Master's house). They announce days off and fun competitions just to de-stress the kids before finals. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that everyone associated with the school clearly loves their work and their mission -- and it shows. My son is thriving academically, athletically and socially. He could not be happier, which is a great feeling for a parent. Bravo for building a school that does everything right for the kids!

Blair is, after meeting with 8 other boarding schools, by far the most well rounded school I have found. They aren't #1 in all sports, #1 in all academics, or even #1 in facilities. But, what I find them #1 in is developing the full person.

They focus on helping students determine who they are and how they want to guide their life choices. Getting into an Ivy League school, becoming a CEO etc. is not what they preach. They develop children into caring, well-rounded adolescents ready for their next phase of life.

I could cite many examples where my children learned time management, writing skills, science acumen, but that would have likely come from any great boarding school experience. What my 2 daughters achieved was an understanding of where they are in the world, what they believe in and a foundation with which to continue their growth and education once they leave Blair.

Academics, check; Sports, check; Facilities and activities, check; Guidance from multiple mentors and advisers, check. I could go on, but I believe this was by far the best choice for developing my children into solid, achieving and happy young adults.