All the kids to choose from only helps to a certain extent. There are plenty of big public schools who have a lot of good athletic kids to choose from, but the programs are not too strong. Quality program from the AD down to the middle school coaches helps. Public schools lose kids to sta and Cham because those 2 programs are strong but also great coaching. There will be good and bad years but consistent program direction and coaching keeps players coming and staying. Successful programs have coaches that look forward and know what players they have in the pipeline. They also recruit within the school, see a great soccer player and ask the kid to tryout etc.