I am a recent alumnus of Austin Prep, and I will start with the good - the academics are rigorous…read moreand most teachers are passionate and knowledgeable. I came out well-prepared for college and value my education there highly. However, in recent years, there have been many problems with the way the school is run. With the change of administration, the school went from the feeling of "tight-knit, humble private school" to pure business. It is abundantly clear that the school's model has devolved into putting up enough show to get parents to enroll their child, and have enough interest that they can admit more students whenever the glamor wears off on the old parents and they pull their children. The new headmaster has even said before in addresses, "We turned away many students this year, so you should all feel lucky that you're even here right now," in a way that almost sounded like a threat. This vibe permeates the way the school carries itself and treats its student body. From the technology to the dress code to the curriculum, everything is now optimized for them so that they get a kickback on sales, at the inconvenience of the families. Unnecessary changes are made to the schedules and structures of the school based on the image of the school, not the opinions of the families - which are often opposed. Perhaps the scariest change developing in the school is how hateful the atmosphere is becoming. From promoting an anti-LGBT hate group, to utilizing a book that encourages conversion therapy, to turning a blind eye to students harrassing international students based on race, the school is becoming valueless and made me feel unsafe by the end of my career there. The academics are stellar, but you can find a school without these problems. Do not enroll here, please.

My child spent 3 years at Austin Preparatory School (AP) before I decided to withdraw. I am writing…read morethis review in hopes to save someone (or many of you) time and money based on what I encountered at AP. I made a request to withdraw and receive a tuition refund in early July. It was denied due to the timeframe, per contract withdrawal​ must be before April 30th. Unfortunately,​​ events leading to my decision did not occur prior to April, too bad for me I guess. Even though we had spent 3 years at AP, the Headmaster was not interested in refunding any money to me. I had multiple conversations with him, explaining our reasons and issues, he pretty much brushed us off stating it was "too late," noting​ we had to "fulfill our financial obligation". He even said to me that if he refunded everyone that changed their​ mind, he would be opening pandora's box. Apparently many people change their mind about attending this school over the summer, I believe he referred to it as "summer meltdown". My thought was if this many people change their mind, he has a much bigger​ problem on his hands that he isn't addressing. The school Headmaster preaches "community" but does not practice it when push comes​ to shove. The school is a business to him. I understand the business side but even in the strongest of businesses contracts are altered and renegotiated every day. One would think he would be willing to work with a "community member" that had a 3-year​ investment in the school​. I even offered to give up the seat I had reserved and accept a partial refund when the seat was filled by another student, he would have no part in this discussion. Unfortunately​,​ he is judge and jury at AP, not even a Board to answer to as he noted, they send the "issue" back to him to resolve. During the 3 years​ spent at AP I started to notice a pattern. Many kids that I met that went there were bullied in their prior school. I didn't think much of​ it at the time​ but did start asking more and more kids why they were going to that school. Low and behold, kept getting the same answer, bullied at prior school. One may think that this is good, this school "protects" them, not the case. Some of these kids actually became the bullies​. Guess they had first​-hand experience on how to do it. I also notice that MANY kids that attend have parents that teach at the school. Turns out a benefit to teachers is their kids go to school for free. The school has tuition increases EVERY year, without fail. Typically an increase of about $2000.00... setting the current tuition at $21,900.00! Quite the price for high school or middle school.... and remember, teachers kids go for free. This past summer the school did a multi-million​ dollar kitchen/cafeteria/foyer renovation. The tuition increase was $1900.00. This was to cover the cost of lunches for kids, regardless of whether​ or not your kids eat ​lunch, you pay the increase. I wonder if the teachers paid the $1900.00 or are the "paying population" feeding their kids too? The school definitely has some issues including vaping and bullying (even though there is a "no tolerance" policy) Don't think you are going to avoid these issues by leaving the public schools. In my opinion,​ the public schools have a better handle on how to deal with​ this, probably because they acknowledge it is happening. I find the headmaster of the school "talks the talk" to parents, but doesn't deliver. Personally,​ I also find him to be quite arrogant. He often notes similar types of stories in his email updates, something​ about how a parent tells him that their child received an amazing education at AP and now is going to college for less than they paid to go to school at AP due to scholarships (obviously​ they were not a teacher at AP). Watch for yourself and see. To summarize, high-cost​ middle/high school education (almost the cost of a college) without a high-end​ reputation. If you really want a private school do your homework, you can get what AP offers for half the price and hopefully​ find a Headmaster with a conscience.

If you grew up here, then your cool with it. If not, we don't really care what you think…read more Plenty of good people, a few who are not so good. Has a lot of work to do to improve, and some real knuckleheads running the place. A sleepy place, full of those who formerly hailed from Somerville, Medford, or Charlestown and wanted to raise their kids in a little bit better town. It has a good sense of community, and remains a good place to raise your kids. Used to be a better place to raise your kids, but budget woes have "forced" those in charge to make cuts. . Need to do a better job getting business sustainability, to get some revenue flowing into this town. Overall, The STO is a good place, which I'm proud to be from

the food tastes weird and moldy, the place is a nice building but with bad education and my son…read morewent there 8 years ago and the trauma lasts with him to this day

This school is full of love for learning and " doing the right thing "…read more Teachers and administration are extremely supportive and go the extra mile!

Absolutely horrible experience here, the teachers called me ugly and a underachieving student, as I…read moream a straight A student. The principals punish the victims of things that happen. (ex. I stole someones pencil, they punched me I got detention. worst 2 years of my life 1 more I guess,

They care more if you are on your phones and not if you're getting bullied. The years there were…read morethe worst years of my life.

Both of my children went through the Goddard School from their infant and toddler years right…read morethrough Pre-K. We were with them through first steps, first solids, first words, navigating a pandemic, potty training, having a sibling, losing teeth, learning to ride a bike and write their name, making friends and becoming self-assured and self-sufficient 5 year olds that were ready to make a seamless transition to Kindergarten. Not only is the facility and outdoor play spaces beautiful, but the school follows a curriculum that is shared each week and brings in outside companies, librarians and more to do specialized activities onsite as well. From bike days to pizza/pj fundraisers, apple pie making for Thanksgiving, to art shows, there was always something to look forward to. When we looked at many daycares when my first child was born, this school stood out leaps and bounds above the rest for having an educational plan in place, not just child care. I can't thank the Goddard School enough for the role they have played in such formative years for my children. The teachers care about the kids like family.

We have had our two sons Alex and Maxi at The Goddard School over the past 5 years. It is now time…read morefor us to move on so i just wanted to take some time to thank The Goddard School and share my experience. The school has been a dream. My children have made great friends and many memories. The faculty is kind honest and helpful. Their development has exceeded my expectations and has them fully ready to succeed in elementary school. It is great to see my children have the confidence in themselves because of all they learned educationally and socially. We could not speak more Highly of this establishment and are so happy we made the choice to do our early education with them.