There is a "split-season" that starts in late August and runs through November. Most of the Prep Schools coordinate and allow split-season team participation. They play around 30 games, along with a few tournaments. Many are more "birth year" based, with two age groups (like 99 and 00) playing together. It is not required in case your kid wants to play another sport, like football or run track. Hockey season is over come March, however, most schools do require at least one other competitive sport for your child to participate in. Personally, I see this as a good thing...tennis, golf, lacrosse, crew, baseball...I think even most hockey experts encourage multiple sport participation at this age group and you don't play the coaches game with clinics and false promises about making their team so they can get your $50 for each of their clinics. At my friends school, they are on the ice every day, along with weight room and dryland. Their son played Tier I last year and they said they get much more ice time and off-ice training since it is all located on campus. From what I've heard, this level of hockey...at least at those schools where hockey is taken seriously, is much higher than AAA out here. More ice time, more off-ice training, competition with older kids and much like college hockey, less travel but a lot more scouting, no paying for extra clinics along with the extra benefits of bigger crowds at games (not just parents), higher levels of education and no missed school and your kid will be much better prepared for college. There is a hefty price tag, but there is money if your kid is good enough and smart enough.