Blair Academy

Overall, Blair places a strong emphasis on community and leadership development, fostering a traditional and close-knit campus culture that highlights strong teacher-student relationships and holistic development, encompassing sports, arts, academics, and community service. The school's modest size allows for personalized attention. As a member of the Mid-Atlantic Prep League, it engages in close athletic exchanges with Peddie, and together they are known as 'New Jersey's Power Duo'. Situated in the northwestern suburbs of New Jersey, it boasts a friendly atmosphere and relatively quiet surroundings.

Principal Zhan's Review: Based on academic excellence and student care, Blair is an American high school that prioritizes children's mental health 100%. Only when students are psychologically healthy can they learn and grow well. It not only provides each child with two advisors but also sets up special courses to help students solve problems.
Such a warm school is favored by applicants from all over the world. In the four weeks of January 2023, an average of 140 students were interviewed each week. Students interested in this school must plan and prepare in advance.
In terms of cultural heritage, it's worth mentioning that Blair invites experts from various fields every Tuesday to give lectures to children, helping them broaden their horizons and disseminate the latest information. This tradition has been maintained for over 40 years without interruption.
In terms of academic cultivation, there are currently 54 AP courses, but the school believes that AP courses are not rich enough and plans to replace them with more comprehensive in-house advanced courses in the fall of 2024. The school arranges fixed courses for 9th-10th graders, and from 11th grade onwards, students can choose elective courses according to their preferences and directions.
In terms of community building, up to 90% of Blair's faculty and students reside on campus, providing comprehensive, round-the-clock learning and living support for children, which is extremely beneficial for the integration and socialization of international students. The children are very polite and friendly; during our campus visit, the children we met proactively greeted us.
In terms of emotional support, each child can choose their preferred personal advisor and communicate regularly to aid their psychological growth and social development.

Blair Academy, founded in 1848, is located in Blairstown, northwestern New Jersey. It is nestled by mountains and a river, enjoying a mild and humid climate, making it a highly livable place. The old buildings on campus are Romanesque architecture designed by Richardson. Their classical architectural style highlights a noble temperament, and the campus has been rated among the top 10 most beautiful high schools in the U.S. With a student-teacher ratio of 1:6, each student has two faculty advisors: one responsible for academic guidance, and the other chosen by the student themselves to provide emotional support during their school life.

Blair Academy was previously an an AP school, but starting next year, it will no longer be one. The main reason for no longer requiring AP exams is that some top boarding high schools in the U.S. will no longer adopt AP programs in the future. The school is also very confident that its curriculum difficulty is comparable to AP, so students do not need to take AP exams, and the difficulty of the school's courses will be recognized by universities. Additionally, the school hosts weekly "Society of Skeptics" project lectures. Speakers include CNN anchors, Columbia University history professor Eric, former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, and many others. This allows students to hear diverse perspectives, broaden their horizons, and enhance their understanding.

First-hand information: Just finished a school visit. Last year, the 9th-grade enrollment included 12 students from mainland China and 2 from Hong Kong. Overall, the school is very friendly and welcoming to Chinese students.

6. Arts: There are three theaters in total. The Armstrong-Higgins Arts Center houses the 500-seat DuBois Theater and the intimate black box Wieman Theater. Additionally, the Robert Evans Open Air Theater is adjacent to Blair Lake. Four stage plays are produced annually, allowing students to learn about role allocation, script reading, lighting and set design, directing, and performing. There is a 50-member orchestra, top-notch musicians, and a jazz band; the campus art gallery exhibits works by artists and students.

7. Sports Focus: Blair's basketball and wrestling programs are world-renowned. From kayaking to mountain biking, from swimming to golf, the school has 28 varsity teams, achieving excellent results in regional school leagues every year.

8. Teaching Method: Blair places great emphasis on cultivating students' public speaking and writing abilities. Classes adopt the Harkness round table teaching method, where every student and teacher is at the center of the classroom, effectively integrating students into classroom discussions.

9. Dual Advisor System: Each student is known and well-supported by two teacher advisors: an assigned academic supervisor who helps guide their studies, and a teacher chosen by the student themselves who provides social and emotional support throughout their learning journey. The advisor-advisee relationship is often the most influential relationship for students during their time at Blair, and supervisors also play a crucial role in discussions about student achievements and challenges at Blair.

1. Academics: Average SAT score 1350/1600, average ACT score 30/36.
2. Rich Curriculum: The school offers a total of 175 courses, including 52 honors and post-AP courses. These cover subjects like Design Thinking, Robotics, Negotiation, Engineering, Film and Television, Economics, Epidemiology, Architecture, Pharmacology, as well as traditional and innovative architecture courses.
3. Lecture Series: The school's "Society of Skeptics" program hosts weekly lectures. Speakers include hosts from CNN, Professor Eric from Columbia University's History Department, a former US Ambassador to Vietnam, and more, allowing students to hear diverse perspectives.
4. Hardware Facilities: Students in computer courses can learn about robot hardware and software, and build robots capable of performing complex tasks. The school has also established the Chiang Center for its Arts and Technology departments, featuring seven major areas: a makerspace, collaborative forum area, media lab, technology classrooms, recording studio/photo studio/green screen room, art studios, and ceramic studios. It provides equipment such as AI tools, film and animation equipment, 3D printing, programming and modeling devices, laser engraving systems, dye-sublimation printing systems, and electronic workstations.
5. Sports Facilities: The school's sports facilities are also comprehensive, including 7 international squash courts, 10 outdoor tennis courts, a fitness center, a 6-lane, 25-meter indoor swimming pool, a running track and turf field, a 9-hole golf course, and 8 sports fields.

Blair Academy values community service, organizing volunteer projects annually. The Center for Innovation and Collaboration offers courses all day, from robotics to ceramics, supported by robust STEM resources.

The school's 'Head of School House Games' add much fun to the community at the end of the winter season, with students randomly assigned to a team (Breed, Howard, Kelley, and Sharpe, named after former heads of school) to participate in various competitions.

Blair Academy is located in northwestern New Jersey. Its campus boasts picturesque scenery, spanning 463 acres, where students can enjoy various school amenities and attractions: a nine-hole golf course; waterfalls; and over 100 acres of undeveloped land where students can conduct field work, cycle, and run.

Academically, in addition to assigned academic advisors, students can choose their own mentors to provide academic, social, and emotional support throughout their time at Blair.

For 35 years, Blair Academy's Skeptics Society has served as a forum for students and faculty to discuss and debate important global topics, growing into one of America's premier high school lecture series. Every Tuesday evening at 7 PM, speakers from the fields of politics, society, science, economics, and literature come to campus to share their unique perspectives with students, and distinguished alumni have also shared their insights at this forum.

The school's theater allows students to perform annual major productions at a college preparatory level. Students have numerous opportunities to gain experience in casting, script reading, set and lighting design, directing, and acting. The school has a 100-member symphony orchestra and first-class vocal and jazz ensembles with an eclectic repertoire. Throughout the academic year, these groups regularly perform at the school and also go on tour.

Data from Blair Academy: student enrollment 465, student-teacher ratio 1:6, international student percentage 17%, boarding student percentage 82%, faculty with advanced degrees 71%, average class size 12, total courses offered 160, faculty residing on campus 90%. Blair Academy, founded in 1848, spans 463 picturesque acres in northwestern New Jersey, conveniently located 65 miles from New York City. It is a vibrant co-educational boarding school where students in grades 9-12 receive a high-quality college-preparatory education, supported by a loving, dynamic community with strong faculty-student relationships. The school nurtures students to become resilient, self-aware, lifelong learners who continue to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world. Blair's faculty is dedicated to inspiring students to develop intellectual curiosity and new passions. Students live and learn in a service-oriented global community, building relationships that last a lifetime. As a medium-sized boarding school, Blair is able to know each student individually, with the dual-advisor program being a hallmark of its student-centered educational approach. Blair is a special place where your personal growth and the connections you build with those around you are paramount. The combination of personal development, rigorous study, and a strong support network ultimately helps us achieve our goals – this is what sets Blair apart.

1. Blair offers a rich curriculum with 182 high school courses and 54 AP and honors courses.
2. The school also offers many interesting activities, such as the Society of Skeptics, which invites prominent figures from various fields—like poet laureates, athletes, and company founders—to speak on campus every Tuesday.
3. The school's sports facilities are also comprehensive: 7 squash courts, lighted tennis courts, a fitness center, a 6-lane, 25-meter indoor swimming pool, 8 sports fields, a wrestling room, a 9-hole golf course, and an indoor golf training center for winter (with simulators available for students).
4. The Chiang Building is fully equipped; during the day, it hosts robotics and pottery classes, and in the evenings or on weekends, it transforms into a student conference center.

【Location】The school is located in Blairstown, New Jersey, 65 miles from New York, with convenient transportation.
【Course Rigor】Offers over 180 courses, including 54 Honors and AP courses.
【Academic Excellence】Average SAT score: 1368.
【Featured Programs】Leadership Stories Project; Society of Skeptics Program; Project-Based Learning.
【Athletic Strengths】Blair Academy offers three seasons of sports. The school has 30 varsity teams and 22 sub-varsity teams, as well as a wide range of recreational activities: alpine skiing, baseball, basketball, crew, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, indoor track, lacrosse, soccer, softball, squash, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, wrestling, and offers a top-tier golf course. All Blair students participate in a team sport or activity every afternoon after school. Most coaches at the school are also classroom teachers, fostering strong relationships between students and faculty in different settings and contexts.
【Arts Focus】Blair Academy offers a rich selection of art electives, such as AP Art History, Functional Design, Religious Roots of Music, AP Music Theory, Film, etc. The school has 55 orchestras/bands, 4 theatrical productions annually, one student film festival, 5 concerts, and 6 professional art exhibitions.

Every year, Blair organizes a volunteer project called 'Day of Service,' where students embark on global volunteer trips to countries in Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia.

COVID-19 Measures: The school requires all faculty and staff to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated visitors must present a negative PCR test result taken within 24 hours prior to their visit. Additionally, all students, faculty, and visitors must wear masks indoors.

Blair is a co-educational boarding and day school founded in 1848, located in northwestern New Jersey, 65 miles from New York City, with a campus covering 463 acres. The school boasts fully equipped sports facilities, including 7 international squash courts, 10 outdoor tennis courts, a fitness and weightlifting center, an indoor swimming pool, an all-weather track and turf fields, a 9-hole golf course, 8 athletic fields, an indoor rowing room, a golf training center, winter sports fields, a gymnasium and athletic fields, a wrestling room, and a 3-mile lake. The school also has a waterfall and over 100 acres of land where students can run, bike, and attend classes.

The campus has 10 dormitories, and 80% of the students are boarders. Students come from 28 countries, with 18% being international students. Blair Academy places great emphasis on student-teacher relationships, and the students have excellent relationships with their teachers. Each student has a designated academic supervisor and their own teaching advisor. Additionally, the school regularly organizes weekend activities such as dining out and cooking classes. During breaks, the school often arranges for students to spend weekends in surrounding communities, participating in events like Super Sunday and Soccerfest, allowing for extended interaction between students and teachers. The school offers a total of 180 courses. The student-teacher ratio is 6:1, and the average class size is 11 students. Blair fosters a strong competitive learning environment, which encourages students to fully develop their academic potential.

About Weekend Activities:

Admissions Officer:
We really strive to ensure that weekend activities are also an integral part of students' learning experience during their time at Blair. Beyond the classroom learning and hands-on practice during the week, students also have opportunities to interact more with friends. Our weekend activities are very diverse; some might be off-campus activities like hanging out with friends, eating, or going to a relaxing environment; many students also choose to visit museums or do other similar things. We feel very fortunate to be in such a geographical location, very close to New York, allowing students to frequently take advantage of this benefit. Of course, for this year's students, it's a challenge because everything still depends on the COVID-19 situation. We strive to provide students with more choices so they can feel at home at Blair.

Share:

Regarding room and board:

Admissions Officer:
Our dormitory environment is excellent. I was fortunate enough to live in one of the boys' dorms, where six senior student leaders are responsible for managing the students to ensure the overall living environment is comfortable. A common area will be set up in the dorm where all students can meet. We often have dorm snack times where everyone can eat cookies, tell jokes, and so on. The school cafeteria is also fantastic, offering healthy and diverse food options to meet students' daily balanced nutritional needs. Student feedback is also positive. Another thing I want to mention is that many faculty and staff also live in the dorms and actively participate in student life. If parents come to visit their children at school, they will know that teachers will supervise them well, ensuring everyone can behave properly and live comfortably here.

Share:

Arts and Sports:

Admissions Officer:
At Blair, athletics are an integral part of our community. With 30 varsity teams, 22 JV and Thirds teams, and a wide range of recreational activities, our programs promote good health and well-being and develop skills that help student-athletes become community-minded leaders. First, second, and third-year students who meet the athletic requirements must participate in at least two teams or two theatrical performances. In addition, Blair offers a wide range of recreational activities, including outdoor skills, symphony orchestra performance, and robotics competitions. Regarding the arts, students can take courses in visual arts or performing arts, including drama, instrumental music, vocal music, dance, painting, drawing, photography, video production, and digital art, etc. We encourage students to actively participate in art courses and challenge themselves according to their time and interests.

Share:

Regarding school culture, educational philosophy:

Admissions Officer:
Our school currently has 460 students and is located in northwestern New Jersey. Transportation is very convenient; it takes about an hour and a half by car to reach New York JFK Airport. For international students, such as those from China, they can quickly get to the school after arriving at the airport. Our boarding rate is 80%. Blair is a vibrant learning community where the strong relationships between teachers and students are at the core of the educational experience we pursue. The school's mission is to prepare students for an ever-changing world. We offer not only robust traditional courses but also innovative electives. When teachers challenge students with new ideas and skills, they ensure students learn how to learn, preparing them to confidently and creatively meet the demands of future universities and an evolving global society. Teaching students effective communication is also our top priority. Cross-curricular communication activities and countless public speaking opportunities prepare students to articulate their ideas and engage with others in ways that build important relationships.

The school's advantageous geographical location gives students the opportunity to attend performances and visit world-renowned museums in New York and Philadelphia; they also receive personalized instruction from conservatory-trained musicians and accomplished artists. The school's vocal music program covers comprehensive academic study and performance opportunities. Singers practice a wide variety of classical and contemporary works, perform in school events and concerts, and travel to venues near and far to share their love for music. Students can also pursue their interest in vocal music through private lessons and some academic electives, including (AP) Music Theory, Songwriting, and Musical Theater.

The Blair Squash program was established in 1993. Each year, nearly 70 Blair students participate in organized squash competitions, with teams divided into competitive boys' and girls' varsity, junior varsity, and third teams, as well as extensive off-season introductory and development programs in spring and fall. We train and compete on 7 international courts in Tracy Hall. Blair is a perennial host of the New Jersey High School Championships.
Blair's girls' squash team begins interscholastic competition in late November and continues until mid-February. In addition to non-league teams, Varsity and JV teams compete against other schools in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL). Our opponents include Lawrenceville, Hill, Mercersburg, Miss Porter's.

The CHIANG-ELGHANAYAN Innovation and Collaboration Center is home to Blair's Technology and Fine Arts Departments. The building's open architecture and technology-rich academic hub set it apart from any other campus facility. Equipped with fully-resourced classrooms and flexible, comfortable meeting spaces, the Chiang-Elghanayan Center hosts classes ranging from robotics to ceramics throughout the day, and club meetings and community gatherings in the evenings and on weekends. The center aims to inspire students' creativity and promote hands-on and collaborative learning.

The entire school and its students give off a vibe of sophistication and vibrancy. The school places a strong emphasis on senior students helping junior students integrate and progress, and students encourage each other, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The number of admissions is very small. One of our students was successfully admitted to all ten universities they applied to, thanks to a combination of sports, community service, and academics.

Overall Situation:
- Rich AP course offerings
- Emphasizes cultivating students' global perspective. While many schools teach World History in 9th grade, Blair offers a Global Issues course, which covers major contemporary world topics such as globalization, international trade, etc. Students also participate in lectures and discussions organized by the Society of Skeptics.

Academic Strengths/Features:
- Society of Skeptics: Invites various experts and talents to speak at the school, where students engage in discussions to broaden their horizons.
- The Chiang- Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration: Provides an excellent venue for students interested in art and technology to learn, discuss, experiment, and create.

Shangxue Mingde Student Feedback:
- Generally, 9th and 10th-grade courses are relatively fixed, but there is significant flexibility in natural sciences to consult with the school and choose suitable courses.
- In arts, choir is particularly outstanding.

Addendum:

5. Global Engagement: Blair encourages students to step out into the world and interact with people in the U.S. and globally. As they immerse themselves in new cultures and experience the lives of others, students will gain cultural awareness and emotional intelligence, becoming true global citizens, ready to meet the challenges of our highly interconnected world.

6. Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration: Home to Blair's technology and arts departments, this building's open-architecture, high-tech academic hub is unlike any other campus facility. Throughout the day, there are classes ranging from robotics to ceramics, with club meetings and community gatherings held in the evenings and on weekends. The school's robotics program is particularly strong.

Blair Academy is located in New Jersey, 1.5 hours from New York Airport and more than an hour's drive from Peddie. Covering an area of 423 acres, the campus features a health center, library, technology center, computer labs, indoor stadium, track and field, soccer fields, baseball fields, art center, golf course, auditorium, and various other facilities to meet students' diverse needs for study and daily life.
1. Excellent Location: Blair is just over an hour's drive from New York City, fully leveraging its geographical advantage to maintain deep relationships and educational resource support with institutions like UPenn, Princeton, and Columbia.
2. The establishment of the "Skeptics Society" program provides a forum for students and teachers to discuss and debate important global issues, and it has become one of America's premier high school lecture series.
3. Signature Program - Leadership Development Plan: By combining formal leadership opportunities with applied learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom, Blair guides its students to become the leaders they aspire to be.
4. The Leadership Stories Project is a core component of Blair's leadership curriculum. This four-year program emphasizes leadership communication, global engagement, self-awareness, ethical decision-making, and a sense of service.

Blair Academy is located in the suburban town of Blair, New Jersey, USA, 63 miles (97 kilometers) from New York. Blair Academy is a co-educational school with beautiful scenery on campus, and is often referred to as one of the "New Jersey Twin Powers" along with Peddie School, also in New Jersey. At the same time, the two schools maintain a healthy competitive relationship, with Blair Academy holding "Peddie Day" annually to compete against Peddie School in sports and academics. Blair Academy focuses on cultivating students' personal qualities. The school's approach is flexible, emphasizing student engagement within the community and on campus. Blair Academy is renowned for its excellent communication and social skills. Students develop outstanding communication abilities through frequent on-campus interactions. Blair Academy provides a high level of attention to its students; each student is assigned two advisors. One advisor is chosen by the student based on their personal circumstances, thus maximizing compatibility with different students' needs.

The school's 90 faculty and staff members support every student in all aspects of Blair life, but a designated academic supervisor and a student-chosen advisor play a particularly important role in academic and personal development. As students navigate Blair's curriculum, supervisors support them on their educational path, while personal advisors offer social and emotional guidance at every juncture of their Blair experience. With an average class size of 12, students actively participate in discussions and become familiar with teachers and peers. This builds confidence and trust, empowering students to become bold yet perceptive risk-takers who are not afraid to step outside their intellectual comfort zones.

The school emphasizes individualized investment in each student. In weekly academic group meetings, student progress is thoughtfully evaluated, and the entire faculty gathers four times a year to fully discuss each student's development. Additionally, the school distinguishes itself with innovative and applied programs. Hands-on, interdisciplinary work frequently takes place in the Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration. The school houses art studios, technology classrooms, recording studios, a maker space, and more. These facilities, along with the newly expanded Bogle Science Center, are home to career exploration programs and expanded independent study projects that encourage students to make connections and view learning as a lifelong process without boundaries.

[2019 China Recruitment Fair Live Report]
The school covers an area of 460 acres, including 2 lakes and a 9-hole golf course. The overall architecture of the school is predominantly grey-white marble, which is quite different from the common red-brick dormitories in New England, but it is more beautiful. The school has 460 students, 80% of whom are boarders, with 85 international students, and 95% of teachers live on campus. The school's motto is 'Prepare students for the changing world.' It aims to cultivate students to accept the 'power of vulnerable,' embrace their weaknesses, and dare to try and fail.

The school has formal dinners twice a week. Students are not allowed to wear headphones or look at their phones while walking. All teachers serve as student Advisors, responsible for communicating with student families. Students will have two advisors: one assigned by the school, and another they can choose themselves.

This year, six Chinese students were admitted to the 9th grade. The TOEFL requirement is very high, with an average score of over 110. The school does not have ESL, and all students start English at the same level. There is an early placement test for math classes, with the highest 9th-grade students taking Pre-Calculus.

The school determines its applicant pool based on the address on the application form. The school uses Vericant for pre-interviews, watching videos to assess students' expression and ideas. The headmaster is a social worker with a background as a lawyer and has deep ties with Harvard, so many of the school's reform ideas reference university trends.

【2019 China Recruitment Event On-site Report】

1. The leadership program is remarkable. Using "what do I stand for" as a theme, a leadership stories project is conducted from 9th grade, integrated with English classes, public speaking, and writing, allowing every child to share excellent growth stories about themselves.

2. The Zhang Science Collaborative Innovation Center, inaugurated just 2 years ago, is a very complete maker space and a venue for interdisciplinary learning. The school's robotics team is very strong, and there are virtual reality courses and digital art courses. The school offers architecture courses taught weekly by a licensed architect from New York.

3. Every Tuesday, the school invites experts from various industries to give specialized lectures and share insights. It also collaborates with a professor from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, who visits the school 13 times a year to develop and teach courses related to communication studies and mental health.

4. The school also has an integrated Science lab, where students can freely choose a 2-year independent research science project.

5. The school's 60-member symphony orchestra frequently has opportunities for global performances. The school has 3 theaters and produces 4-5 musicals annually.

Blair School, located over an hour's drive from New York City, fully leverages its geographical advantage to maintain strong relationships and educational resource support with institutions like UPenn, Princeton, and Columbia.
The school boasts signature programs such as the Leadership Development Program, Public Speaking and Debate, the dual-advisor system, the Faculty Summer Institute, and Freshman Seminars, as well as the Society of Skeptics. In particular, the Society of Skeptics brings speakers to campus every Tuesday evening, engaging students in global affairs: musicians, professional athletes, writers, government officials, entrepreneurs, and veterans, among many others, share their ideas with students and debate various issues and perspectives. Through these unique educational experiences, the school broadens students' horizons, introduces them to new ideas, cultivates their leadership abilities and communication skills, giving them an advantage in the competitive university application process.
In recent years, the school has vigorously developed STEM courses, and the newly constructed science building provides excellent conditions for the school's technological innovation and robotics production.
The school's admission requirements are very high, with standardized test scores typically requiring TOEFL 110+. In recent years, there has been a preference for students who have attended junior high in the US, or those with many years of overseas study experience, as well as students from Hong Kong international schools. This is because these students integrate exceptionally well and adapt easily to Blair's culture.

Blair Academy is located in Blair Township, New Jersey, USA. The school took on the mission of educating the children of local farmers and merchants and quickly surpassed other surrounding communities. The school encourages students to apply what they learn in the classroom to practical situations. Teachers regularly incorporate hands-on opportunities into academic studies across various subjects. On campus, practical work and interdisciplinary projects often take place at the Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration. The center features art studios, technology classrooms, recording studios, maker spaces, and more. These facilities, along with the newly expanded Bogle Science Center, are home to career exploration programs and expanded independent study projects, encouraging students to build connections and view learning as a lifelong process.
Every Tuesday, the Society of Skeptics is a unique feature of Blair Academy. Blair invites public figures to campus for lectures every Tuesday. The invited guests are diverse, including Cambodian refugee Dith Pran (whose wartime experiences were adapted for the screen), Consuelo Mack, anchor of The Killing Fields, Professor Eric from Columbia University's History Department, a former New Jersey Governor, a former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, and many others. Students listen to their experiences and insights, engaging in deep discussions with them, providing an excellent opportunity to understand social issues and foster intellectual growth.