Weston High School

Parents and the students ensure this school stays in the rankings. A handful of outstanding teachers that really shine but the Teacher's Union protects the bottom of the barrel and they seem to have quite liberal sick leave. Principal is trying to make it more personal but it still reminds me of an assembly line. Many requirements that are not useful and lessen opportunities to meet with teachers. The guidance department is useless. Many parents hire outside help for tutoring and college counseling.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great high school and I'm very happy that my child attended this terrific school
—Submitted by a parent

Weston High School has been established as one of the best, if not the best, public high school in the state and one of the top public high schools in the nation. That's no small feat, and as a current student, I absolutely see how WHS achieves that lofty status. The teachers are, contrary to what many other reviews say, willing and eager to personally and actively connect and engage with students on an individual level. The electives, diverse and popular, add to a rigorous, challenging, top-notch academic repertoire. WHS facilities are kept modern through constant funding and facilitate a great education. Not only does Weston focus on bringing the bottom up, the top students are also challenged, with AP courses, college-level independent studies, and many other courses of action. I couldn't be happier with my high school education, and I know many others who would say the same.
—Submitted by a student

This school is just like many other public schools and struggles to address any individual needs and doesn't really care about whether the student is actually learning. The language program is a joke where no one can actually speak the language that they are taking, what's more, it appears that both the faculty and administration don't care. One line report card evaluations are meaningless.
—Submitted by a parent

As a current senior, I am afraid I must disagree with several of the comments below. The school does have strong academic departments, but the school seems only focused on academics. Sports aside, our extrascurriculars are a joke. We have 1 45 minute block once a week for clubs to meet. Other schools often have 2 hour-long blocks. Activity block, as it is known, is also the first thing the administration will cut if they need time for something. There is a growing culture of 'No' in the school, as students are increasingly restricted in what they cannot do. As a student, I feel that my voice is unheeded by the administration. If I have a complaint, I go directly to my parents, because the school will listen to them, but not me. I don't have more space, but the comment below, about the school's 'socialist agenda' is completely ridiculous.
—Submitted by a student

What is good about Weston High School is: The mathematics department, the Science Department,the awesome arts and music departments. All are excellent! The math and science departments are great about encouraging able and passionate students as well as helping those who need an extra push to succeed. Most Math and Science teachers are fantastic. What needs to change? The English and history departments. Weak, pedestrian administrators who don't seem to focus on the student's needs. There are varying degrees of teacher quality in these departments and this is most unfortunate. The principal is strong, but still needs to listen to parents more. I agree that there need to be fewer internal promotions. The recent ones have not been well received. We need a parent-friendly, inclusive superintendent, Most parents are unaware of decisions made within the school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school used to be strong, supportive and produce very academic students who were well prepared for college. What happened? Much has changed in the past 5 or even 3 years. We can only blame the Superintendent and the School Committee. HS students are being limited to classes they can take, many having to drop levels or opt out of an over-crowded class. Here is what other similar schools do in wealthy towns: they ADD MORE CLASSES. Cut back the programs that are unneeded...no matter how PC they are! Where is our tax money going and why isn't it being spent on the children of Weston? No child should have to be bumped out of a class based on poor planning or poor fund allocation. We pay enough taxes and contribute enough to WEEFC, prioritize children and learning again, like it once was! Hire from outside. TOO MANY internal hires.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration of this school system needs to worry less about imparting their moral wisdom on the student body and be more concerned with strong academics--which are now taking a back seat. The academics at WHS are taking a downward spiral and as parents, we are happy that our last child will graduate this year. Thank God. He may escape unscathed from the new low-standard, underachieving, socialist agenda.
—Submitted by a parent

Hey, let's face it. College acceptance rates are at the top because of one main reason: genetics. The other factors for the high tier 1 and Ivy acceptance rates is parental legacy and the demographics--access to outside educational programs like private tutoring.The school does very little to promote high achievement, in fact, most academically strong students tend to be bored and unstimulated since the focus at this school is 'closing the achievement gap' and bringing the bottom up. Motivated and academically strong students are not well served, and would do better to take outside courses or partake in Independent Study programs. Very egalitarian attitude.The cutbacks have forced larger class sizes so students have less choice and are forced to give up academics for silly, politically correct ventures.I expect to see a drop in achievement some time soon as well as college matriculations becoming less than impressive.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an exceptional public school system that is looking to improve further. College acceptance rates for the very top students as well as the middle of the class stack up well against private schools. They are moving to an Honors English offering in the fall.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. Challenging and supportive. We moved to Weston for the schools and with the esxeption of the Elementary Schools (which are mediocre), we have been happy. The HS principal is wise and cares about the students. Teachers are mostly very supportive. The only negative is the English Deprtamnt which is hit or miss. Getting an 'A' at Weston HS is like getting an 'A' at a prestigious and expensive private prep. It is quite a feat! There are so many brilliant students here that it raises the school's profile. The new superintendent is average. But there was no search conducted, so we can't expect much. The School Commitee is in need of revamping and restructuring.
—Submitted by a parent

WHS offers many competitive athletic and academic programs. Department heads and teachers have very high standards and expect much from their students. I agree with the comment that leadership at the VERY top of the school department is mediocre and worrisome. Luckily, the HS seems to be on auto pilot with a newer but decent prinicipal, we can hope that nothing goes to pot. Parents in town need to have more say in school hirings (which are effectively now being done by the school committee!), and curriculum standards.
—Submitted by a parent

There are no consistent standards in the English Department regarding grading. Your child can receive an A+ teacher, and the next year a C or D. The kdis are forced to 'un-learn' each year what the prior teacher has taught them. The lack of a consistent grading system in English squelches creativity in the english/writing student. This may be the result of hiring too many new (and somehwat inexperienced) teachers. Request an experienced english instructor who has taught in Weston for a number of years. This is your best hope. The math department is excellent and the teachers (most) have been there for a number of years. The Guidance Dept. is sub-par. Don't expect much. The recent and somewhat inexplicable (no town involvement-school committee appointed) change in school leadership at the very top has left many in town worried about a drop in academic standards down the road.
—Submitted by a parent

Everybody in this wealthy town pays for expensive tutoring which raises the school's profile. So your research. Talk to parents. Many here opt for private schools for their smarter kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Many of the parents in this affluent town are graduates of ivy league colleges. There is a lot of pressure from parents for kids to perform. The school offers many extra-curricular activities with a wide variety of sports, theater, music programs as well as specific interest clubs. There are many Advanced Placement courses offered that are taught at college level. Many say the quality of education in this high school is comparable to a private prep school. In my high school class there were about 8 honors students who went on to Harvard after graduation.
—Submitted by a former student