How to Reach out to Prep Schools:
Years ago before starting Coach Mom, my son approached me asking to attend a prep school. Not knowing a thing about prep schools I reached out to his AAU coaches along with other coaches seeking their guidance. Keep in mind there were maybe two prep schools in Canada at the time. I went online selected 10 schools in the US (not knowing as much as I know now), found their email address and sent them my son’s highlight video and a write up which included his grades and information about his character.
Some coaches reached out to express interest, I filled out applications (by the way there is a cost associated with this process) and visited four schools (on my dime) before settling on our school of choice. I was specifically looking for a private/boarding school environment for my son simply because since grade seven he attended a private school in Toronto. Regardless of basketball, education was and still is a huge factor me, therefore, choosing that path. Now, to be honest, I didn’t know half the questions listed below to ask the coaches at the time how could I, I’ve never been through the process and frankly didn’t have someone guiding us. The truth is I did this without a lot of knowledge! What I had in my favor to some degree was the fact that I am a coach so able to decipher coaching language & practices which gave me a sense of the coach’s knowledge base theoretically and practically! I also had my gut and went with my instincts often. Spoiler alert, this doesn’t mean I didn’t make mistakes!
The other important factor why I chose the US was my son. How did he put it ”I want a fresh start” the real issue here was the prep programs in Ontario at the time were looking for the best of the best (not that I blame them), let me put it in perspective the starting five on his AAU team all received division 1 offers and on average stood 6 feet 5 inches tall. His year (1999) and up to two years above him was loaded with really athletic and talented players. For the record, my son was approximately 6’1 at this time and more known for his ball control, defense and hustle plays. The point I’m trying to make here is he wanted to go somewhere where he could play and not sit on the bench and with more prep school options in the US that were the path we took!
Fast forward 5 years later and WOW how the landscape has changed. More options for Prep Schools in Canada and the US, two Prep School leagues in Canada and more and more young people wanting to experience Prep Schools. Keeping all that was said above in mind it’s so important to do your homework and understand where the student-athlete will be a good fit academically and athletically. Here is a list of questions provided to help you with this process and remember three things 1. Never accept an offer without visiting the school/program and 2. It doesn’t matter where you play Canada or the US as long as there are opportunities in the program to develop and the program offers real exposure and 3. Social Media is a marketing tool and not everything you see there is TRUE!
Now let’s be real even with these tips I’ve provided there is still lots to be done to understand this process in its entirety! Let me help reduce stress and anxiety and help save you money overall!. How? Coach Mom provides services to assist by not only guiding you through the recruitment process but the academic & athletic development to ensure your child is successful in the process With the MVP Package, I will work with your child and with you personally as the parent on this personalized success plan which includes:
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For more information check the service tab or email info@coachmom.co
Questions For Prep Schools/Programs
- What academic supports are in place to help student-athletes?
- Does your school offer a 5th/Post Grad year?
- How are progress & report cards accessed?
- Which Universities/Colleges do graduates from the program attend?
- Is there access to SAT prep classes available to students?
- Are these classes an additional cost?
● Yes – what is the cost? - What are your program/school fees?
- Do you offer a payment plan?
- Do you offer financial aid?
- What is the range of financial aid offered?
- What are the qualifying criteria for financial aid?
- Do fees include insurance?
- What additional cost should I/we be aware of (incidental fees, books, uniform, SAT prep, gears)
- How many meals a day & how can she/he supplement?
- Who pays for student-athletes travel to and from school?
- How many players have received scholarships to colleges/universities under your
program/Coaching? - Do you have experience with international students?
- Is your school authorized to provide an I-20 form for an F-1 Visa?
● What is the process to apply and are fees associated?
● Who’s responsible for these fees? - What skill set are you looking for in an athlete (basketball, social, academic,etc.) to
fit into your program? - What universities\colleges do you have a relationship with?
● How often do they come out to practices and games during the live periods? - Does your team play in a league?
● Yes
Which league?
○ How many games are played per season?
● No
○ What is your schedule and number of games for
the season? - Describe a typical day for student-athletes.
- How are roommates determined?
- Explain how players manage school work when traveling for games often?
- How do you provide exposure for the players?
- What are the living arrangements for the athletes? If host families/boarding houses
are used, who monitors the student-athletes and how are they selected? - Are there mandatory holidays student-athletes must leave campus/house/host family?
● Yes
○ Are student-athletes able to stay on campus/house/host family for statutory holidays?
○ Are there alternative living arrangements to cover these times?
○ Is this an extra cost? - How many players are on the roster?
- How are they supervised daily?
- Do you have a mandatory study hall?
● Yes – what times/days are they offered?
● No – are there other options offered/organized to help athletes stay on top of their studies? - How often do you meet with students and/or parents to discuss student-athletes
performance/progress? - How long have you coached this program and any plans to move on soon?
- What is your coaching/program philosophy?
