Originally Posted by Anonymous
So I have a 2023 son that plays Lax and is considered a top player. He does not play on Express. I also live in a town that has won a state title in Lax within the last few years, it also is a great school district. I stress academics to my kids, any advice on applying to Chaminade or staying put. Only reason why I mentioned I don't play on Express is because of the rumors if you don't paly there you wont play at Chaminade. I also had two cousins (twins) that went to Chaminade and they both went on to excellent colleges and it seemed to me that where they went to High School did play a roll. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, I have time to make a decision...


It comes down to a few things. Most important question - Does your son want to go there ? It is an all-boys school. Then there is a commute, could be an hour or more depending where you live. Does your son want to do that everyday ?
I know boys who don't mind and boys who didn't like it and came back to public.
Chaminade does have a good academic reputation, but if you go to a good public and your kid is in honors/AP courses will it make much of a difference ? I would say there is advantage if you are looking at catholic colleges.
Finally, the lacrosse part. Your son may be a top player now, but a few years can make a huge difference. I know a few boys who were on Express top team in 6th grade, but were dropped off top team as freshman or sophomores. I'm sure that was tough for them, but it was devastating to their parents who thought they would always be top players.
Chaminade has 90 + boys try out for freshman team. I think they keep about half, and half of that group see the field.
So in two years ask yourself these questions :
Does my son really want to go there ?
Is he mentally mature enough as it takes a special kind of kid to handle longer day with commute, homework and more rigid structure ?
Would my son want to still be there if he doesn't make lax team ?
Does he really know how the commute/ time factors will affect him ?
If he does make the team, is he okay with being a role player or hardly seeing the field at all ?
What type of colleges is he looking at ?
Is he being looked at by HS varsity coach to be on varsity in 9th or 10th grade ?
Would he be okay with getting into a better academic college and not playing D1 lacrosse ?

Good luck, hope I was helpful.