Wildwood School

WIldwood did much more for me than prepare me for college, which it did just fine. I go to a top 50 university and there isn't one day that goes by that I don't unitize the skills WW helped me cultivate. I left WW with a want to be active in my education, community and future...just as if I never left. WW taught me how to learn, how to think, and how to apply all aspects of my life to my education. Before WW I went to one of those "structured schools". I was being told content in class not being taught it. WW gives students the ability to not only learn, but live and submerge themselves in the curriculum. The teachers at WW are outstanding and till this very day I've maintained a relationship with a handful. The administration beats all other schools. Why? Because they care, they really do. See, if you take what WW offers you will be successful - in college, grad school, but most importantly in life. WW's progressive education is for the right now, traditional practices pump out the same results, WW shapes well rounded interesting people. As an active alumni and believer in this school, I'm the successful student, business owner and person I am today because of this great school.

To the most recent reviewer. Answer me this: Is your major in the mathematical, physical, or natural sciences? Or engineering? ........... Or are you majoring in the social sciences or humanities? Wildwood may be able to prepare you for writing, but (as someone in the sciences), it didn't prepare me at all for math or science.

I am a Wildwood Alumni entering my senior-year at a prestigious four-year university. Not a day goes by where I don't think about Wildwood and what an incredible experience I had K-12. I am a firm believer that an education that encourages you to think critically, reflect, and care about the world at large is more important than getting straight A's. Wildwood is an education for the real world, that emphasizes strong reading and writing skills as well as strong personal skills. I now go to a very traditional university and found that my progressive education has benefited me greatly. I am able to engage with my teachers, participate in class, and work collaboratively in ways that would not have been possible if I had gone to a traditional high school. Every student should be lucky enough to attend a school like Wildwood where you are treated as individuals, develop strong leadership skills and where school is seen as a place of learning not just as a place to score straight A's. No other school values the active process of learning more so than Wildwood.

I find the two most recent reviews posted by alumni to be quite thought provoking. As a parent of a middle schooler I am quite interested in hearing how former students view their Wildwood progressive education. Yes, the kids are happy and the teachers are warm and involved, but I worry that the lack of structure leaves kids unprepared for the rigors of college. Are we really developing innovative thinkers or are we as parents just fooling ourselves and sending our children to college without the tools for success?
—Submitted by a parent

If I could give this school 0 stars I would. I'm so happy that my friend (who left the review below) found this website and revealed the 'truth' about Wildwood. We need more alumni to post here. I took four years of Spanish at Wildwood. I didn't test out of one semester of Spanish when I entered college. I took four years of math at Wildwood (including calculus). I tested into precalculus when I entered college. I received top grades in all of my writing assignments in WIldwood. I failed my first writing assignment in college. Is college harder than high school. Yes. However, when you have a GPA in the top 10% of your class leaving Wildwood and receive Ds and Fs in most of your courses entering college, something is just plain wrong with your high school education. As the poster before me mentioned, Wildwood is a place where, if you fork over the money, the teachers will be happy to give your kids As. Unfortunately, sometimes As aren't what kids deserve. Bluntly put: my four years at Wildwood were the most damaging years I've had in my educational development. Period.

This comes from a bitter alumni who found out that his high school education was completely inadequate. I want the Wildwood Secondary teachers -- past and present -- to hear this message. By freely 'giving' students As and watering down your curriculum, you may make life easier for yourself, but you are doing a complete disservice to your graduates. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. Coming out of Wildwood I was completely ill-prepared for BOTH the arts and the sciences that I took when I entered university. I got straight 'Exceeds' and 'Meets' at at Wildwood but didn't learn squat in terms of study strategy or academic knowledge. To parents: If you want to send your kid to a school where you can "Pay your way to the A" Wildwood is the place for you. It has glitz, glamour, friendly teachers, a beautiful indoor campus etc. etc. etc. HOWEVER, if you actually want your kid to get the best education they can and be prepared for college LOOK ELSEWHERE.

What is the tuition cost? I can't find info on their website....... Are the teachers friendly? What times does the school day start & end at?
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter came to Wildwood two years ago after having a bad experience at our public elementary school. She has loved every day spent at Wildwood. Her teachers have been great and extremely supportive. She loves the elementary science and performing arts curriculum. The friends she has made are some of the loveliest children and families I have had the opportunity to know living in Los Angeles. Also, although we are a middle class family, we do not feel that we don't have what others have, because families at Wildwood tend to downplay the importance of wealth.
—Submitted by a parent

The secondary school is an incredible opportunity for students that are self-motivated. It might not work well for students that "need to be told what to do" and are not passionate about their studies. If you thrive doing your workbooks, take standardized tests and read only textbooks, do not come here. The project based learning allows in-depth pursuit of knowledge without the wasted busywork that comes from standardized testing. Make no mistakes: the school is very academically challenging, as a matter of fact it enables greater level of study in most discipline that many so called "academic" processes. The campus is designed to facilitate research and in-depth study. The approach is more college like than many colleges. And speaking of college preparatory, the students at Wildwood are essentially working as if they were in College. It is no surprise that the graduating class is being accepted in most great universities including its fair share of YPHs. Our son is absolutely thriving here. BTW admission is quite difficult, we understand only a handful of opening for Fall 2011 in 7th grade, which may have made Wildwood the hardest school to get into in the city this year.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. They really care about kids here, and the kids can feel it. My child is learning so much, but more importantly, he is learning to LOVE learning. What an amazing gift! Wildwood is an oasis in the midst of the real (and sometimes messed up) world. If everyone in the world went to a place like Wildwood, oh my, things would be so much nicer... Wildwood is one of the greatest gifts, both academically, intellectually, and emotionally that anyone can give a child. Really, it is all that!
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has 2 children at Wildwood's elementary school. Our opinion is that Wildwood has done an outstanding job of getting our children engaged in their own education. We believe that they are outstanding writers and readers because they have a vested interest in what they are learning. We do not find the math curriculum deficient. In fact we appreciate that the teachers promote not just memorization, but an intuitive approach to learning as well. Science is approached both methodically and creatively. Our kids love their teachers. And the habits of mind and heart are skills that we believe will be useful throughout our children's lives.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is currently a 5th grader at Wildwood and is excelling in every subject especially in the area of Math. They have an amazing math teacher there that has brought out the mathematician in my daughter. All the teachers there are amazing and show a genuine concern in the well being of the children.
—Submitted by a parent

i have been attending Wildwood for eleven years now. I personally enjoy the curriculum and the community. However, I do not think any of the reviews that have been written over the last 4 years have been accurate. The reality of Wildwood is that it either works extremely well or doesn't work at all. I for one have done excellent in the laid back environment but my sister who attended Wildwood from kindergarten to 5th grade endured tremendous struggles. I think one of the problems is that classes themselves are not designed to fit the needs of each student individually, which is why many children who go to Wildwood come out lacking critical Math and Spanish skills. But, I do not think that is anyone's fault, there just is not enough space or teachers to separate the students out that much. Wildwood could also hire less administrators and more educators.
—Submitted by a student

my child attended wildwood kindergarten thru 7th we had mixed experiences, the pod system works if you have a great teacher if not.... this is crucial, as you spend 3 yrs in the same classroom So it is the luck of the draw.Probably the biggest plus is the fact that the kids love this school they really enjoy being there and are generally very articulate and confident in their abilities, so you decide if you want your kid to be a creative thinker or be able to test well.My daughter is now attending an other private prep school w/some other wildwood kids these kids are miles ahead of their peers in social skills and broadness of education.
—Submitted by a parent

Wildwood is an amazing place for children to reach their full potentials, as students and as citizens of the world. Our family has been there for 7 years, and we could not be happier. The habits of heart and mind that the children acquire, along with academic and artistic skills, are what really set this school apart. It is an amazing community to be a part of, and although the secondary school has experienced some growing pains (it is a new school, after all) we have no doubt that our children are receiving a high level of intellectual challenges and, most importantly, they are becoming socially aware, compassionate, and articulate human beings.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter (now in 7th grade) is extremely bright, and has been at Wildwood since Kindergarten. We have had an extraordinary group of teachers, and my daughter has had a wonderful education. The project oriented curriculum really allows children to learn and retain knowledge and sets them up to be able to continue to learn through their lives. The school is exceptionally good for self motivated students.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child who went to Wildwood from the 4th to the 8th grd. I am now looking because I have a younger child entering kindergarten. The reviews of 10/04,6/05 & 1/06 are in sync wtih my experience. My child never liked the school and came out with serious defiencies in math.
—Submitted by a parent

My children love coming to school each and every day. The administrators, teachers, parents and children are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a relative of several current students. The Pod format is interesting and works very well; parent involvement is huge; the overall environment seems happy and healthy and the children are truly interesting and well rounded. I love that they are exposed to art, drama, music, sports, computers, writing on a regular basis. Also, each year the school teaches around a particular theme which is used to incorporate the ideas and concepts introduced during the year. Children are give a wide creative berth. I've never met such articulate and introspective young people. Very impressive. However, it does seem that the parents, while truly dedicated to the 'cause', are also boxed into their own tiny, high-end world. Their realities are very different from many others in Los Angeles.
—Submitted by a parent

Wildwood is a wonderful school fostering the Habits of Heart and Mind to create well prepared students.
—Submitted by Blaz Kaz, a parent