Why We Chose a Private Soccer School For Our Son

When people hear that we transferred our son from public school to a private soccer academy for his junior year, the reactions are usually mixed.

Some nod knowingly, others raise eyebrows, and a few question whether we’ve lost our minds. I get it – it’s not exactly the traditional path most families take.

But after watching our son navigate the complex world of elite youth soccer for the past decade, this decision feels not just right, but inevitable.

The Reality of MLS NEXT

Our son plays for an MLS NEXT team (not MLS Academy). But any player under the MLS NEXT Homegrown umbrella understands it’s a sacrifice. The training demands, travel schedule, and competition level are intense.

When he was younger, we thought we could balance everything: club soccer, traditional high school, social life, academics. What we discovered is that something always had to give.

After 8th grade, we watched as many of his school friendships began to fade. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, really.

While his classmates continued playing for their school or hanging out after school, our son was at soccer practice three nights a week or traveling to tournaments on weekends.

The social invitations stopped coming. It was a trade-off he said he was willing to make, but as parents, it was really hard to watch.

The High School Dilemma

One of the most frustrating aspects of the current system is that MLS NEXT players can’t participate in their high school’s fall soccer season due to league rules.

This means missing out on representing your school, playing with neighborhood friends, and being part of that classic American high school sports experience. There’s something to be said for playing for your school’s logo.

There are pros and cons to this rule. On one hand, it protects the integrity of the MLS NEXT program and ensures players are focused on their development path. On the other hand, it can be isolating for teenagers who just want to feel connected to their school community.

Finding His Tribe

The decision to transfer to a soccer-focused private school wasn’t made lightly. We waited until his junior year because frankly, he wasn’t ready after 8th grade. He was still forgetting to bring his backpack to school (eye roll)!

Those first two years of high school were crucial for him to develop good study habits and learn to work independently – skills that are essential for success in a more flexible, hybrid learning environment.

Now he’s surrounded by like-minded players, including several from his own club team. His daily schedule looks different than most teenagers’: 1.5 hours of training in the morning, online and in-person classes for the rest of the day, then club practice three times a week. It sounds exhausting on paper, but he’s genuinely happier.

The Burnout Question

The question everyone asks is: “Aren’t you worried about burnout?” Of course we are. Any parent watching their child pursue something this intensely worries about that. But here’s the thing – our son has been playing competitive soccer for ten years. He’s been through rigorous training cycles, demanding tournaments, and pressure-filled games. And still, he can’t get enough of it.

We’ve learned to read the signs and have always prioritized his mental health alongside his athletic development. The moment he says he’s done, we’re done. But right now, this path energizes him rather than depletes him.

Following Other Sports’ Lead

What we’re doing isn’t actually that revolutionary or earth-shattering. Sports like skiing and hockey have had specialized academies and training programs for decades. Parents routinely move across the country or send their kids to boarding schools to pursue excellence in these sports. Soccer in America is just catching up.

I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot more of this in the coming years. As youth soccer continues to professionalize and the pathway to college and professional opportunities becomes more defined, more families will make similar choices.

The Unconventional Choice

Is this path right for every family? Absolutely not. It requires significant financial investment, lifestyle adjustments, and a teenager who is genuinely committed to the sport. It also means accepting that your child’s high school experience will look different from your own.

But for our son, who dreams of playing college soccer and potentially beyond, this environment provides the best opportunity to develop his skills while still getting a quality education.

He’s learning time management, discipline, and how to balance multiple priorities – all valuable life skills regardless of where soccer takes him.

Looking Forward

We don’t know what the future holds. Maybe he’ll earn that college scholarship he’s working toward. Maybe he’ll decide in a year that he wants to focus on something else entirely. What we do know is that right now, we’re supporting a young person who is passionate about pursuing excellence in something he loves, surrounded by peers who share that passion.

In a world that often encourages kids to be well-rounded above all else, we’ve chosen to support depth over breadth. It’s unconventional, it’s not without sacrifice, and it certainly keeps us on our toes and watching where our next dollar goes.

But watching our son thrive in an environment where his ambitions are understood and supported? That makes every non-traditional choice worth it.

Sometimes the path less traveled really does make all the difference.