Blair Academy
2 Park Street, Blairstown, NJ 07825
(908) 362-3128
Blair’s mission is to know our students so we may empower them to understand more fully themselves and the world. Through strong relationships with faculty and experiences designed to challenge our students, they nurture identities as skilled learners and engaged members of a diverse community. Blair students depart not only as prepared undergraduates, but ultimately as global citizens contributing to the greater good.
Founded in 1848, Blair Academy is a dynamic, coeducational New Jersey boarding school where students in grades 9-12 pursue a superior college preparatory education empowered by strong faculty-student relationships and a vibrant community life.
FAST FACTS
Head of School:
Peter G. Curran
Director of Admissions:
Cassi Gerdsen
Gender:
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation:
Nondenominational
Total Enrollment:
470
Percent Boarders:
83%
Percent International:
18%
Application Platorm(s):
Gateway and SAO
Testing Plan:
Preferred
Curriculum
At Blair, we blend our traditional core curriculum with innovative offerings and best-practice teaching approaches. Our engaging and challenging courses incorporate reflection and analytical thought, and we offer a number of course levels to choose from, including more than 50 honors, advanced seminar and advanced survey classes. We believe students learn best when they have a choice in what and how they learn, encounter appropriate challenge in their intellectual pursuits and have space to express their creativity. That's why Blair students have the ability to tailor their coursework to their abilities and interests.
Programming
There is no shortage of activities in which you can become involved at Blair. With clubs ranging from the academic to the artistic to the avant-garde, our extracurricular offerings give students many opportunities to explore new interests and step outside of their comfort zones. Students are encouraged to join longstanding organizations, such as Blair International Awareness Club (BIAC), Healthy Relationships Committee (HRC), Model UN and A Cappella. Or, they might find like-minded classmates and faculty members who share their interests to create a new club.
Activity/Sports Requirements
At Blair Academy, athletics are part of the fabric of our community. With 30 varsity and 21 JV and thirds teams and a wide range of recreational activities, our program promotes good health and well-being and cultivates skills that help student-athletes become community-minded leaders who embody integrity, humility, strong work ethic and good sportsmanship. All Blair students participate in a team sport or activity each afternoon when classes conclude, a routine that underscores the importance of regular exercise and the value of working as a group to achieve individual and shared goals.
Dress Code
Students are expected to dress in a way that respects the standards and academic purposes of the school. Clothing must be neat, clean and in good repair. Footwear is required at all times. The school may make exceptions to the dress code in accordance with sincerely held religious tenets. Students who are out of dress code shall be sent back to their dormitory to change and will receive a tardy mark for their class or meeting attendance, as well as other potential consequences.
Seated Meals
Twice a week, students and faculty families share a meal and lively conversation at family-style dinners in the Romano Dining Hall, an experience that fosters a strong sense of community and gives students the opportunity to get to know peers and teachers with whom they might not normally interact during classes and other Blair activities. Student leaders assist the faculty members at the head of their table by serving, clearing and engaging with their classmates during these meals.
Study Hall
On Monday through Thursday nights, Blair offers a supervised silent study hall, creating a structured study environment for students seeking a dedicated space outside their rooms. Students can either opt in or be enrolled into structured study hall by their academic monitors. Each night, the adult supervising the space provides organizational and study support, all within a quiet and conducive working environment that many students find helpful for maintaining focus.
Saturday Programming
Blair offers many weekend programs throughout the year such as family weekend, international weekend, winter ball, and blairstock festival.
Residential Life
Most students live with a roommate, although there are a few single rooms, and dorm heads ensure dorms are spirited communities conducive to study but also fun places where residents can relax and engage with their classmates and teachers. The result is a supportive environment where lifelong friendships are forged. Regardless of whether students are boarders or day students, our residential life program encourages them to broaden their horizons and explore new interests. Blair’s campus offers an incredible wealth of opportunities for engagement: Students can write essays or articles for The Oracle or host its Internet radio station, perform community service on campus or at a range of area nonprofits, run for student government or compete as part of the debate team.