Woodward Academy

This was our first year at Woodward; our son is a high school freshman (going into sophomore year this fall.) It's hard to say where to begin, there are so many positives about the school! The faculty and staff are excellent and so supportive. My son has been in private schools since kindergarten; while many say they cater to the individual needs and the whole child, Woodward Academy lives this philosophy. The diversity in course curriculum, activities and the student population are unmatched in the Atlanta area. The school is truly a guidepost and a stellar example of what a school should be.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of our children (now adults) are grads of WA. Our son attended public school (Fulton) for K and 1st, where he showed curiosity, but responded to the average expectations there with average achievement. On standardized testing, he scored slightly above average in 1st grade. Wanting more individual attention to his education in a nonsectarian atmosphere, we choose Woodward North, where they taught to the top of the class. Our son thrived. In 6th grade, he had a gold standard teacher who skillfully challenged our son in an affable manner that made him believe in himself and inspired him to meet her expectations. From that year on, he saw himself as an achiever. He now has 3 degrees from MIT and no trouble finding a job. WA also nurtured our daughter's talents: both academic and athletic. Occasionally each of them had an uninspiring teacher, but overall, the faculty is exceptional. Our daughter earned a BA from Northwestern U and is in grad school there. I highly recommend WA for nurturing potential, having the courage to discipline misbehavior, and deftly managing the faculty/parent partnership.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to say I really HATED Woodward!!! The kids curse and are on medication or drugs. They mess up the whole place! The floors are dirty and the bathrooms also! The kids smoke,too! I DEFINETLY DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!! ***PS: I AM A KID, SO DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO!!!!!!!!!

I am a rising eighth grader at WA and have been their since Kindergarten. The athletic and academic programs are great. At the school teachers are very dedicated to their job and even though their are bad kids the school turns them around or the staff deals with them immediately.The classes are great and challenging with many opportunities and different courses to choose from.

I graduated from Woodward two years ago and had an excellent experience there from K-12. I was in the honors/AP track in high school and graduated summa cum laude. I cannot say enough about how wonderful the teachers are. They actually cared about me, and I felt challenged in their classes. I just finished my sophomore year at Furman and have been doing very well with mostly A's and B's. Woodward is excellent preparation for college and I can't thank my parents enough for sending me there. If you can comfortably afford to send your kids there, do it!! It really helps with college applications! All of the college admissions reps I talked to understood what WA was like, which is really helpful. All of the college counselors are great! Also, sending your kid to WA now might help you save some money on college; my parents really appreciate that I was able to get a significant merit scholarship that brings the cost of my private education down to the cost of my brother's public education. Thanks to all the teachers and administrators at WA! You all really taught me to succeed, and I really appreciate it!

I went to Woodward from Pre-K to 5th grade and loved it! It was an amazing school. I left because I moved to Colorado and then I moved to Tennessee. I went to a private school in Tennessee that just didn't compare at all to Woodward. My family and I are moving back to Atlanta just so my brother and can go back to Woodward. We both got back in and are very excited to go back. I will be a freshman and my brother will be in 8th grade. My whole family is excited that my brother and I are going back because it is such a good school

My two chilldren graduated from Woodward Academy . It was a wonderful experience for our whole family. Woodward is known for their academic excellence, and I have to say they live up to their reputation! I recommend Woodward for any family that places education as a top priority. This is not an inexpensive school, but in my opinion, worth it all. By far, the best private school in the Atlanta area.
—Submitted by a parent

Horriable, overpriced school. What more shall I say? They only want the money! My friend went to it, she said it was the worst school that she has ever went to, and now they have no house due to the cost of tuition. Also, my other friend goes to it, and can not even buy food anymore! So, people' s lives ruined, so that woodward can make some money.

Having recently moved from abroad, I have to highly commend the admissions staff and teachers who helped and assisted our family in getting settled and integrated in to this wonderful school. We visited many of the private schools in Atlanta, and Woodward Academy gave us the warmest feeling and welcomed us from the moment of our first visit. This was also picked up by our two young children. They have been happy from day one and we are thrilled to be part of this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an 8th grade student who came here in the 6th grade. Just to give a reference point, my standardized test scores would put me in the top .5% of all private school students. In my first year inthe 6th grade, i scraped A's without doing most of my work and without studying. However the difference between 6th and 7th grade is HUGE and anyone wanting to come here should know that. I went from A's with no effort to B's while studying and doing all of my work.(Granted, I was moved from the standard track to all honors classes.) Moving on, I have participated in the football, wrestling and lacrosse programs for the past two years and thought they were all great. The students are nice and I have found that they are less picky about what you wear than most of my friends from public school, debunking that common stereotype. I know this was long but I love woodward and had a lot to say.

An exceptional school for a student who thrives or requires structure and a strong College Prep environment. Woodward is amazingly divers with a very competent staff and substantial campus. This school will encourage independence and performance from your child.
—Submitted by a parent

Woodward is a great school. All of the teachers are committed to teaching students. The students are awesome and they teach you even if you don't notice it. Everyone on campus is friendly. All of the people very approachable. All the students might not live near you but they are great friends. The homework is the right amount, but sometimes a bit much.

I attended Woodward from pre-k to twelth grade and had many positive experiences. Pluses, teachers and administration are incredible, very approachable to students and parents. The school also wants students to excel offering a variety of academic levels. Plenty of variety in sports, fine arts, languages. There is also a nice diverse mix of students and i think that is saying alot for the atlanta area, cons, students live all over metro Atlanta and beyond so there isn't an after school neighborhood feel so to speak. Speaking for my graduating class, friends who went to Lovett, Westminster, pace, marist on a whole, were better balanced between studies and social life.

While we were stationed at Fort McPherson my son attended the Woodward Academy. I love the Woodward Academy. Hated being at Fort McPherson, but would have stayed just to keep my kid at Woodward! Let's just say everything at Woodward is perfect! I have NOTHING negative to say about the school. I wish we could take Woodward with us wherever we go. We miss everyone there. My son is getting ready to go into his fifthe school (Go Army!) and no other school compares! If you get the opportunity to get into Woodward - GO! Absolute Best!
—Submitted by a parent

The reason i did rate the school is because i just a few days ago i got ACCPETED into Woodward Academy! Im so looking forward to next year, and i cant wait to actual go to my first private school. its going to be a real EYE opener for me and my family. Im totally obessed and L O V E this school. Its also very big so im hoping and praying that i remeber where all my classes will be held!! I know its werid because your looking for a review that actual tells you about whats going on but I FUTURE STUDENT OF WOODWARD AND GREAT ADDITION TO THE WAR EAGLES know when i see a good school and a bad one.....this one is a GREAT ONE. Im just so lucky that i was picked out of all the 8th graders to highschool they those me! That letter was a life changing moment for me and im blessed to have the chance to attend a beautiful school as woodward academy!!CANT WAIT 2 SEE ALL MY NEW WAR EAGLE FAMILY!!!

We transferred to Woodward from another Atlanta area private school and couldn't be happier. Teacher quality is superb, facilities are impressive, and there are plenty of extracurricular activities for the kids. Admissions Dept. is wonderful. Only negative so far is that the administration (principal and up) is extremely unapproachable. Maybe we haven't donated enough money to merit common courtesies???
—Submitted by a parent

The school does many things well- great facilities, academic resources, arts progams. However, the primary school was rigid and not as nourishing an environment as one expects: staff could be brusk with very young children, not enough unstructured play and an inappropriate amount of homework. Early language arts is solid; math prep not as excellent and should have been given class size/resources. Some teachers were wonderful, others just average and one needed to retire. Money is a significant subtext to the Woodward experience meaning those with more garnered more support and congeniality from admin. and other parents. A rigid, self-satisfied disposition permeates the main campus culture. We saw many families leave and we eventually did. (FYI, we paid full tuition). Be aware, in private school, you are entering a commnunity knit together by a financial contract at its core. Woodward's culture reflects that for better and for worse.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a new student to woodward but for my first year it was one of the greatest desicopns of my life. Classes bothe prep and honors are challeginig but the teachers are there with you every step of the pushing you to your fullest potential. the after school activites are extesive and evry one their makes you feel like you belong in the woodward academy family. i have only two down points to this school first with the vast majority of students living all over Ga it is more complicate to hang out with friends over the weekend, second the school can be a little pricey but when you ant the best for your child cost shouldnt matter. woodward is great and if you happen to join this school here is a big woodward hug and GO! WAR EAGLES!! WHOOO
—Submitted by a student

I entered woodward academy in the 6 the grade after my family moved from new york and it has been a great transition for my entire family. WA is a great school. GO WAR EAGLES!
—Submitted by a student

Even though I've only attended woodward for a little while, I believe it is an amazing school. The teachers are very nice and there are very many sports and clubs to attend.
—Submitted by a student