Alright, let me walk you through my whole adventure with this hockey prep school business. It wasn’t something we just jumped into, let me tell ya.
The Spark – Why Even Bother?
So, it all started a while back. My kid was really getting into hockey, playing pretty decent, you know? The local leagues were fine, but we started hearing whispers from other parents, a coach here and there, about “prep school hockey.” At first, I kinda brushed it off. Sounded intense, maybe a bit much. But the kid kept improving, and we started thinking, “Okay, maybe we should at least look into this.” It wasn’t about going pro overnight or anything, but more about seeing what other opportunities were out there, better coaching, maybe a different kind of challenge.
Diving Down the Rabbit Hole – The Research Phase
Man, once we decided to actually check it out, it was like opening a fire hydrant. I hit the internet, typed in “hockey prep schools,” and boom – a million options, articles, forums. It was a lot to take in. I spent hours, probably too many, just reading. We started making a list, a really long one at first. Then, I started trying to figure out what actually mattered to us. It wasn’t just about the hockey program, though that was a big piece. We also considered:
- The school’s academics – I mean, they still gotta learn, right?
- Location – how far was too far?
- Cost – let’s be real, some of these places are pricey.
- The general vibe or culture of the school.
I talked to anyone who’d listen. Other parents who’d been through it, coaches who might know the reputation of certain places. Slowly, very slowly, we started to get a slightly clearer picture, or at least a shorter list.
Boots on the Ground (Sort Of) – Visits and Calls
Next up was trying to get a real feel for the places on our shorter list. For a couple, we actually managed to schedule visits. Walked around the campuses, saw the rinks, the dorms, tried to talk to some current students if we could. That was super helpful. You get a sense of a place when you’re actually there, you know? Some places just felt right, others… not so much. For the ones further away, we did a lot of phone calls, virtual tours if they had ’em. I asked a ton of questions, probably drove some admissions people crazy. I wanted to know about a typical day, how they balanced hockey and school, what the coaching philosophy was. It was like being a detective.
The Paperwork Nightmare – Applying
Then came the application process itself. Ugh. Each school had its own set of forms, its own deadlines. We gathered transcripts, teacher recommendations, and of course, hockey stuff – videos, maybe a coach’s referral. It felt like a part-time job for a while there, just keeping everything organized and submitted on time. There were definitely a few late nights fueled by coffee, double-checking everything. My kid had to write some essays too, which was an adventure in itself. But we pushed through it, got everything sent off. Then, the waiting game began, which is never fun.
The Big Decision and What Came After
Eventually, the acceptance (and rejection, let’s be honest, there were those too) letters started rolling in. That led to more discussions, more weighing of pros and cons. We finally settled on one. Felt like a huge weight off our shoulders, but then a whole new set of to-dos popped up – figuring out tuition payments, packing, all the logistics of actually sending him off.
Once he was there, it was an adjustment, no doubt. Early morning practices, classes, homework, more practice, travel for games. It was a grind, for him and, in a way, for us too, with all the coordinating and keeping in touch. But he learned a lot, not just about hockey, but about managing his time, being independent. There were tough days, for sure, days he was exhausted or homesick. But there were also some amazing moments, big wins, new friendships.
Looking Back – Was It Worth It?
So, looking back on the whole hockey prep school journey? It was a rollercoaster, man. A lot of work, a lot of stress at times, and yeah, a significant financial commitment. But for our situation, for our kid, I think it was the right move at that time. He grew a ton, faced challenges, and got some experiences he wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s not for everyone, that’s for damn sure. You really gotta do your homework and figure out if it fits your kid and your family. But for us, wading through all that chaos? Yeah, I think it paid off in ways that aren’t just about what happens on the ice.
