Stratford Academy

Stratford has great academics, but the only students who do well are the ones that have the social connections and have been attending for most of their life. There is no diversity here, and if you don't fit the standards of what the students believe to be acceptable, you will be bullied. As a student here, I do well academically but since I don't fit the social standards I am considering transferring to Howard. It also seems as if the administrative staff care more about the color socks someone is wearing, or dress code violations, and choose to let bullying occur. Even though this school has virtually no violence, the students are relentless if there's something about you that they don't like, and the staff ignores this and instead focuses on the most nitpicky things. This school is only good for those who have been attending for a long time and who fit the standards of other students. The school has a terrible atmosphere.

Great academics- loving, caring, and dedicated teachers. My child has had great experiences with them.Students are really pushed to excel. The social atmosphere can be rough, mainly for newcomers and minorities. And yes, kids can be brutal! However, in the past few years, there has been a remarkable positive shift in administrative efforts at integration- a lot more awareness and efforts to discuss global cultures. The Global Forum has done wonderful things. The Internationa Dinners and the multi-cultural holiday celebrations have been fabulous! What is adding strength to the school community is the increasing number of culturally diverse students and parents being welcomed into the Stratford family. The dynamics are slow to shift but change is now very obvious. Also, it is not always the school's job to to mend everything that is wrong. It is equally important for all parents to enlighten their children of the vast and culturally diverse world around them that is waiting to be explored! Narrowmindedness will persist as long as parents don't educate themselves first in order to teach their children about the beautiful world around them. We all have a responsibility towards that.
—Submitted by a parent

As a Stratford graduate, I can easily say it is the best private school in Georgia outside of Atlanta. Student placement in colleges exceeds that of any other school in the area. In my grade alone, we had students attend Harvard, Brown, Northwestern, Vanderbilt and Columbia, along with many major state universities. Our academics are extremely vigorous, the teachers very caring, experienced and intelligent. Our sports program is excellent as well, with many brand new, top notch facilities. The campus feels like a college campus, and is spacious and beautiful. While many say it's socially hard here, I came to this school not knowing anyone right before middle school, and made many great lifelong friends. Not being affiliated with any church/religion means it IS actually more diverse than other schools in the area, as I had friends who practiced Judaism, Hinduism, and many different denominations of the Christian faith. Very proud to be a Stratford alum!

Although this school preforms wonderfully in the academic and athletic arenas, it is an all too true example of how narrow mindedness and lack of diversity in the student body can effect inter-student relationships. As a previous student at Stratford Academy, I can personally vouch for the brutal cliques that form at private schools, more importantly, Stratford. If you as a student, or your parents are not friends with the right families, families mind you, not people, you will find yourself ostracized and left out of many opportunities and events. I transfered to the academy in first grade and by fourth grade had learned which people had which connections and that i lacked them. Fortunately, I transfered to a public school during high school and received an equal education in the Honors/AP program there. The only thing it lacked from Stratford was the standoffish attitude possessed by the administration, students, and alumni parents. I would fully reccomend this school, if you have the right social connections; otherwise, expect your child to be ostracized.

A school should be reviewed relative to its local competition. There are several good private schools in Macon, but when you looks at the balance of staff quality, staff commitment to student /family, extra curricular activities and family/alumni involvement this is an excellent school. The school produces the highest number of AP Scholars in the area and places more students in the top 25 colleges than all the others combined. The school is commited to student opportunity/inclusion and this policy is enforced from the highest levels of the administration. We have two children who graduated from another Macon private school and our youngest is at Stratford and the academic quality and nurturing environment are remarkably superior here.
—Submitted by a parent

Very close minded community. Students who are not athletic or come to the school as a transfer will find it hard to get by. The teachers are wonderful, but the social atmosphere is horrid. Diversity does not exist here.
—Submitted by a parent

My experience with Stratford has been 50/50. Academically the school is supreme and for the most part the teachers seem to really 'care' and be very involved with the student(s). I would advise parents seeking for a Macon private school not to make a hasty decision. Stratford has a great reputation but 'buyer beware'....do your research before enrolling your precious ones.
—Submitted by a parent

Stratford is the best school on the planet earth. You may not fit in at first but as you go along if you know the right people you will! There are a few girls who think they're better than everyone else but that is no reason to mislead your judgement into thinking everyone is like that. We're good in athletics and academics. We're sweet and welcoming. :) Ten years at the academy and i love it!
—Submitted by a student

There is no better learning institution south of Atlanta. 41 AP Scholars this year.
—Submitted by a parent

Stratford is a great academic school. I have been attending the school for a very long time and this school really does push you to your limits as far as academics are concerned. However, the social life at Stratford is something different. Since Stratford is such a small school, it is very hard to fit in. If you're not a certain type of person then you'll probably find it hard to fit in. I recommend this school for kids that are strictly looking to succeed academically. If I were to rate this school on academics alone I would give it a five. If I were to rate Stratford on its social life I would give it a two.
—Submitted by a student

It is really hard to fit in at Stratford. This is my first year, and I am not impressed by the family enviroment that this school is said to have. The academics are wonderful, but most girls here are stuck up and believe that they decide if you are worthy enough to be accepted to this school. Don't be mislead by the friendliness at first, because it won't last long.
—Submitted by a student

Stratford Academy is a wonderful learning school, but a harsh social environment in which you have to change your self to fit in. The girls are absolutley brutal, and so are the parents. The academics are fab. but beware of the cliques.
—Submitted by a parent

Stratford Academy has been a great experience for my daughter. She has attended for two years, pre-K and now kindergarten. Stratford Academy is a pre-K through 12th school. The use of older students to become reading buddies and special helpers for the younger classes has worked well to create a family atmosphere. School pride is instilled almost immediately. The curriculum is appropriate and the teachers are very experienced. Their love of teaching shows. Parental involvement is high. A parent volunteer actually teaches Spanish to all Pre-K and kindergarten students. Parents enjoy watching their child perform several times throughout the year. The tuition is slightly higher than surrounding schools. It is SACS accredited, while others may not be. All religions are respected and prayer is still in this school. Overall, it has been a great experience for my child and will find it hard to replace as we move.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a long term babysitter of two Stratford students. Over the past five years I have watched these kids develop academically and socially. Stratford is to be commended for the positive learning eniironment that is always employed. The teachers really care about the students, and it shows. The boys I keep love their teachers and peers. Stratford students are taught to have pride and respect for thier school themselves, and others. The cost is higher than that of some schools, but it is money well spent.
—Submitted by a parent