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Independent School League (New England)

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This article is about the high school athletic conference in Greater Boston. For the high school athletic conference in Greater Chicago, see Independent School League (Illinois). For the high school athletic conference in Greater Washington D.C., see Independent School League (Washington, D.C. area).

The Independent School League (ISL) is an athletic conference of sixteen private college-preparatory schools in Greater Boston. Its parent organization is the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC).[1] Founded in 1948, the ISL sponsors competitions in twenty-five sports.[2]

Independent School League
Founded1948
Sports fielded
  • 25
    • men's: 11
    • women's: 12
    • coeducational: 2
No. of teams16
RegionNew England
ConfederationNEPSAC
Official websiteislsports.org

The ISL hosts some of the nation's oldest high school athletic rivalries, including Milton-Nobles and Groton-St. Mark's, both of which date back to 1886.[3]

History

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Composition

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In 1948, administrators at Belmont Hill, Brooks, Browne & Nichols (now BB&N), Governor Dummer (now The Governor's Academy), Milton, Noble & Greenough, St. Mark's, and Tabor established the Private School League. From the start, the ISL contained a mix of day and boarding schools, as well as religious and nonsectarian schools. The league changed its name to the Independent School League in 1974.[citation needed]

In the 1960s and 1970s, Middlesex, Groton, St. Sebastian's, Roxbury Latin, St. Paul's, Lawrence, Rivers, and St. George's joined the league.[citation needed] Tabor left the league in 1972 and St. Paul's left in 2017, at which point Tabor rejoined the league.[4]

Stance on scholarships and postgraduates

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The ISL forbids member schools from providing athletic scholarships (or any other scholarships not based strictly on the student's financial need),[5] a policy that has been met with some controversy. In 2011, the ISL found that Lawrence Academy had granted excessive financial aid to some of its football players, in addition to scheduling too many football practices in the off-season; as a result, the ISL stripped Lawrence of its 2009 and 2010 football conference titles and imposed a three-year bowl ban.[6] Previously, St. George's (which Lawrence had defeated 48-15 the previous year) "made national headlines" by forfeiting its conference football game against Lawrence,[6] asserting that the Lawrence team had such a large talent advantage over its conference rivals that playing Lawrence was a safety risk to its own athletes.[7][8] Citing this policy, St. Paul's left the ISL in 2017;[9][10] it is now a member of the Lakes Region League.[11]

The ISL also forbids member schools from fielding postgraduate students on their sports teams.[5] Accordingly, future NBA player Duncan Robinson was required to transfer from Governor's to Phillips Exeter for his postgraduate year.[12]

Absence of rowing competition

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The ISL does not sponsor rowing, even though eight of the sixteen ISL schools (Belmont Hill, Brooks, BB&N, Groton, Middlesex, Nobles, St. Mark's, and Tabor) have boys' and girls' crews.[13] New England high school rowing is administered by the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association (NEIRA), which was founded in 1947 and predates the ISL by one year.[14]

Since NEIRA began awarding team championships in 1984 (for boys) and 1989 (for girls), the crews of ISL member schools have won the boys' coxed fours team trophy 32 out of 37 years, and the girls' coxed fours team trophy 18 out of 32 years.[15] With the exception of Tabor and the now-departed St. Paul's, ISL schools do not compete in boys' and girls' eights, where teams like Kent, Andover, and Exeter participate.[13][15]

Members

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Current Members

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School Location Colors Nickname Founded Joined HS Enrollment Day/Boarding Religious Affiliation
Belmont Hill School Belmont, MA     Sextants 1923 1948 332 (boys only) Day (primary) Nonsectarian
Brooks School North Andover, MA     1926 1948 353 Boarding Episcopal
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School Cambridge, MA    Knights 1883 1948 525 Day Nonsectarian
The Governor's Academy Byfield, MA    Governors 1763 1948 405 Boarding Nonsectarian
Groton School Groton, MA    Zebras 1884 1972 351 Boarding Episcopal
Lawrence Academy at Groton Groton, MA    Spartans 1793 1973 424 Boarding Nonsectarian
Middlesex School Concord, MA    Zebras 1901 1968 402 Boarding Nonsectarian
Milton Academy Milton, MA    Mustangs 1798 1948 471 Boarding Nonsectarian
Noble and Greenough School Dedham, MA    Bulldogs 1866 1948 518 Day (primary) Nonsectarian
The Rivers School Weston, MA    Red Wings 1915 1973 382 Day Nonsectarian
Roxbury Latin School West Roxbury, MA     Foxes 1645 1974 219 (boys only) Day Nonsectarian
St. George's School Middletown, RI     Dragons 1896 1981 380 Boarding Episcopal
St. Mark's School Southborough, MA    Lions 1865 1948 380 Boarding Episcopal
St. Sebastian's School Needham, MA    Arrows 1941 1973 281 (boys only) Day Catholic
Tabor Academy Marion, MA    Seawolves 1876 2017 539 Boarding Nonsectarian
Thayer Academy Braintree, MA    Tigers 1877 1948 496 Day Nonsectarian

Former Member

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School Location Colors Nickname Founded Joined Left HS Enrollment Day/Boarding Religious Affiliation
St. Paul's School Concord, NH    Pelicans 1856 1948 2017 540 Boarding Episcopal
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Member schools compete in the following sports:

Boys' and/or co-ed sports
School Cross
country		 Football Soccer Basketball Ice
hockey		 Skiing Squash Wrestling Baseball Golf Lacrosse Tennis Track
Belmont Hill[16] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Brooks[17] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
BB&N[18] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Governor's[19] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Groton[20] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Lawrence[21] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Middlesex[22] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Milton[23] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Nobles[24] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rivers[25] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Roxbury Latin[26] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
St. George's[27] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
St. Mark's[28] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
St. Sebastian's[29] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Tabor[30] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Thayer[31] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Girls' sports
School Cross
country		 Field
hockey		 Soccer Volleyball Basketball Ice
hockey		 Skiing Squash Lacrosse Softball Tennis Track
Brooks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
BB&N Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Governor's Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Groton Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Lawrence Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Middlesex Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Milton Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Nobles Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rivers Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
St. George's Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
St. Mark's Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Tabor Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Thayer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Divisional play in boys' football and ice hockey

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The ISL divides its football and boys' ice hockey teams into separate divisions (ISL 7/ISL 9 for football; Keller/Eberhart for hockey). The divisional structure generally separates the larger schools (by total boys' enrollment) from the smaller schools, paralleling NEPSAC's separation of the New England hockey playoffs into Large School and Small School brackets. However, the NEPSAC divisions are based strictly on the size of the student body (which may also vary from year to year),[32] which occasionally generates discrepancies between the ISL and NEPSAC classifications. For example, at the 2023 New England boys' ice hockey championships, Keller Division teams Milton, Nobles, and Belmont Hill competed in the open (Top 8) bracket, Keller team St. Sebastian's competed in the Large School division, and Keller teams Lawrence and Governors competed with Eberhart teams St. Mark's and Brooks in the Small School division.[33] Ironically, an Eberhart team (Brooks) won the Large School championship in 2015,[34] and another Eberhart team (Rivers) made it to the New England semifinals in 2018.[35]

Football

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As of the fall 2023 season, the ISL was divided into the following divisions for football:[36]

  • ISL 7 Division: Belmont Hill, BB&N, Governor's, Lawrence, Milton, St. Sebastian's, Tabor
  • ISL 9 Division: Brooks, Groton, Middlesex, Nobles, Rivers, Roxbury Latin, St. George's, St. Mark's, Thayer

Boys' ice hockey

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As of the winter 2023-24 season, the ISL was divided into the following divisions for ice hockey:

  • Keller Division: Belmont Hill, Governor's, Lawrence, Milton, Nobles, St. Sebastian's, Thayer, Tabor[37]
  • Eberhart Division: Brooks, BB&N, Groton, Middlesex, Roxbury Latin, Rivers, St. George's, St. Mark's[38]

References

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  1. ^ "NEPSAC Leagues & Conferences". New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  2. ^ "Independent School League". www.islsports.org. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  3. ^ Moreno, Eric. "The oldest high school football rivalries in the U.S." blogs.usafootball.com. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  4. ^ "Tabor and the ISL | Tabor Academy". taboracademy.org. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  5. ^ a b "Essential Understandings". www.islsports.org. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  6. ^ a b "Clarity, but still questions on LA football sanctions". ESPN.com. 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  7. ^ "St. George's surprised by forfeit fallout". ESPN.com. 2010-10-10. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  8. ^ "Rhode Island school pulls out of game citing size of foe's players". Yahoo Sports. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  9. ^ Brown, Jana F. (Spring 2016). "Sports in Context at St. Paul's" (PDF). St. Paul's School Alumni Horae. 96 (3): 4.
  10. ^ Caspersen, Westby (2016-10-07). "St. Paul's to leave ISL, Tabor to join". The Circle Voice. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  11. ^ "St. Paul's Athletics". www.sps.edu. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  12. ^ Layden, Tim (2018-03-29). "Duncan Robinson is much more than a D-III transfer". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  13. ^ a b "Event Summary - 2023 New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Regatta" (PDF). New England Interscholastic Rowing Association. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  14. ^ "A Short History of the NEIRA". New England Interscholastic Rowing Association. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  15. ^ a b "List of NEIRA Winners and Course Records" (PDF). New England Interscholastic Rowing Association. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  16. ^ "Athletics | Belmont Hill School - Private School Athletics". www.belmonthill.org. 2024-01-30. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  17. ^ "Athletics Teams and Schedules - Brooks School". www.brooksschool.org. 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  18. ^ "Teams | Private School Athletics | Buckingham Browne & Nichols". BBN. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  19. ^ "Athletics Schedule | The Governor's Academy in Massachusetts". www.thegovernorsacademy.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  20. ^ "Athletics at Groton School in MA | Teams and Sports". www.groton.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  21. ^ "Teams & Schedules - Lawrence Academy". www.lacademy.edu. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  22. ^ "Middlesex School Athletics - Official Athletics Website". Middlesex School Athletics. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  23. ^ "Athletics". Milton Academy. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  24. ^ "Noble and Greenough School Athletics Portal". nobilis.nobles.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  25. ^ "Teams | The Rivers School". www.rivers.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  26. ^ "Team Pages". The Roxbury Latin School. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  27. ^ "Teams - St. George's School". www.stgeorges.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  28. ^ "Teams - St. Mark's School". www.stmarksschool.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  29. ^ "Teams". St. Sebastian's School. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  30. ^ "Teams - Tabor Academy - Independent Boarding & Day School". www.taboracademy.org. 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  31. ^ "Teams, Schedules & Results - Thayer Academy". www.thayer.org. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  32. ^ Collins, Brendan (2019-11-25). "Small School / Large School Breakdown". Neutral Zone Men's Prep. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  33. ^ "2023 NEPSAC Boys' Ice Hockey Tournament" (PDF). New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  34. ^ "2014 NEPSAC BOYS' ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT INFORMATION" (PDF). New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  35. ^ "2018 NEPSAC BOYS' ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT" (PDF). New England Prep School Athletic Council. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  36. ^ "Standings - Fall 2023 Boys Varsity Football". www.isleague.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  37. ^ "Standings - Winter 2023-24 Boys Varsity Ice Hockey - Keller Division". www.isleague.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  38. ^ "Standings - Winter 2023-24 Boys Varsity Ice Hockey - Eberhart Division". www.isleague.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
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