Post-Grad Basketball Year Academics Are Not Optional
Too many families assume a post-grad year is basketball first and school second, and that misunderstanding causes problems quickly. We touched on this when we sat down with Marcus O’Neil, head coach at Tilton School, who was clear about how post-grads are treated academically inside a prep school environment.
This matters for families considering a post-grad year to extend recruiting timelines, because academics are not a side program. They are built directly into the basketball year.
Development is individual. Standards are collective.
Post-Grads Are Full-Time Students, Not a Separate Program
Cory:
“For your post-grads that come there, what are the academic requirements?”
Marcus:
“Well, the requirements are first of all, to be a student here. Sometimes we’ll get a family that says, my kid’s smart enough, he’s taken enough courses, we really want him to focus on basketball. But you can’t play basketball eight hours a day. So, you’re going to be a full-time student here. There are no part-time students.”
Marcus:
“We have the nine through twelve curriculums through post-grad, but it’s not a separate program.”
Academic Placement Is Individualized, Not Cookie-Cutter
Leadership shows up before the ball goes up.
Marcus:
“If you’ve taken your senior English before coming here, which you probably have, then we’re such a small school with good academics that you have the academic dean looking at your transcript saying, okay, AP Language and Composition is the appropriate course.”
Marcus:
“You take the next thing in the progression of classes.”
Marcus:
“For every student, that’s something different.”
AP Classes and Advanced Coursework Still Matter
Marcus:
“There is sometimes some back and forth between the parents and the student, but you take what’s next in the progression of your learning.”
Marcus:
“If a kid gets to a certain level of math or English and we don’t offer it here, they might do something online or through a community college. Some of that has been done in the past.”
Marcus:
“But you’re still a full-time student.”
Programs are built on standards, not seasons.
Why Academics Are Built Into the Basketball Year
Marcus:
“You can’t play basketball eight hours a day.”
Marcus:
“You’re going to work hard here. You’re going to have structure. You’re going to foster a sense of independence as a young person.”
Marcus:
“You’re learning how to function in a professional environment, how to interact with adults, how to develop your resume, how to talk in an interview.”
Post-Grad Academics Support Long-Term Placement
High school basketball team gathered on the court after a game, celebrating teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship in an indoor gym setting.
Marcus:
“It’s important to honor what you say and say what you mean.”
Marcus:
“You don’t want to mislead people.”
Marcus:
“If you’re here, you’re here as a student first.”
Recruiting Takeaway: The Post-Grad Year Is a Real Academic Year
A post-grad year only works when families understand that academics are fully integrated into the basketball experience. The schools that do this well treat post-grads like real students, not placeholders waiting for offers.
If you want help evaluating whether a post-grad year makes sense, understanding academic placement, or finding a prep school that balances basketball with real coursework, reach out to PREP Athletics. We’ll help you get aligned early so there are no surprises once the year starts.
If you’re looking into prep school, reach out to us at PREP Athletics. We’re here to help you explore your potential and make choices that align with your athletic and academic future. We’ve also got a long list of resources to get you started in the right direction, so check out our latest prep basketball updates on YouTube or our podcast to dive deeper.