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.