The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council was founded in 1942 as an informal association of prep school athletic directors in New England. What is very gratifying to see after over 70 years is the growth of the organization from the original eleven schools to a membership currently in the 160 range. That growth is proof of the importance which private schools attach to their athletic programs.
As I have stated many times, sports programs are not an optional extra in private schools. Sports programs are integrated fully into the education of young people in private schools which take the saying of the first century Roman poet Juvenal seriously. "Mens sana in corpore sano" which means a healthy mind in a healthy body. Private schools adopted this approach from the beginning. As a result, you won't find many private schools where sports are not compulsory. Sports are an integral component of most private school programs. Most schools set aside a weekday afternoon when the entire school engages in a variety of athletic activities. As you scan private school websites, explore the athletic offerings. One of them is sure to appeal to your youngster. Moreover, as she settles into her new school, you will soon discover that she is trying out several different sports, including some which you never thought she would try. The final point which I must make about private school sports is that they teach young people to integrate exercise into their daily lives. And that is a good thing.
Here then are profiles of the eleven schools which were the original founders of NAPSEC and some of the sports which they offer. Use these profiles as benchmarks during your private school search process. Hopefully this information will help you refine your search.
Avon Old Farms School, Avon, CT
Founded in 1927
Number of students: 406
Number of sports offered: 15. Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Riflery, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT
Founded in 1890
Number of students: 865
Grades 9-12, PG. Coed.
Number of sports offered: 20. Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
The Ethel Walker School, Simsbury, CT
Founded in 1911
Number of students: 250
Grades 9-12, PG. Girls.
Number of sports offered: 13. Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT
Founded in 1891
Number of students: 598
Grades 9-12, PG. Coed.
Number of sports offered: 20. Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
Founded in 1906
Number of students: 572
Grades 9-12. Coed
Number of sports offered: 18. Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
Kingswood Oxford School, West Hartford, CT
Founded in 1909
Number of students: 523
Grades 6-12. Coed
Number of sports offered: 16. Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
The Loomis-Chaffee School, Windsor, CT
Founded in 1874
Number of students: 650
Grades 9-12, PG. Coed.
Number of sports offered: 20. Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
Miss Porter's School, Farmington, CT
Founded in 1843
Number of students: 321
Grades 9-12. Girls.
Number of sports offered: 17. Alpine Skiing, Badminton, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
The Taft School, Watertown, CT
Founded in 1890.
Number of students: 594
Grades 9-12, PG. Coed.
Number of sports offered: 21. Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Riding, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY
Founded in 1907
Number of students: 300
Grades 9-12, PG. Boys.
Number of sports offered: 13. Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Squash, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
Westminster School, Simsbury, CT
Founded in 1888.
Number of students: 390
Grades 9-12, PG. Coed.
Number of sports offered: 16. Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field
For more information on the school's athletic program, visit its website.
Questions? Please contact me on Twitter. @privateschl
