The Wellington School

Wellington is a great school fo any age. I attended Wellington from Kindergarten to 7th grade. I only left because i had to move. Wellington is so advanced, as am I, It helped me actually learn instead of just re-learning stuff I already Knew. The teachers are the best. If you have a student going into kindergarten, bonnie cole is the best. If you have a student going into 5th grade, Mary Potter is the best teacher in the history of Wellington. If you have a student going into 7th grade, Mike Smith is the man.
—Submitted by a student

I would like to reply to a post on September 9, 2003 that a parent made: It is really wrong to say that Wellington is somehow lacking in the arts. Even though the tiny old BPAC is not the ideal performance space, the theater program has been internationally recognized as one of 17 (I think) high schools in the nation to travel to Scotland to perform at the Fringe Festival. The music programs offer a lot, too. Music is taught comprehensively from an early age. Later in middle and upper school, the music department allows some students to take all three music classes: strings, band, and choir. In high school band, there is a concert and jazz band (although we do not have a marching band). As for extracurricular activities, Wellington excels in this, with a record number of students and area kids participating in the summer options program.
—Submitted by a student

As a junior at the wellington school, i would pick no other place to attend. the teachers and staff along with the students make each day more enjoyable. The activities and community feel that The Wellington School offers is beyond anything other high schools do. I am proud to say that I love my school and am proud to be a Jaguar!
—Submitted by a student

The Wellington School is small enough to adjust their educational approach to best fit the needs of each student, while at the same time providing the population as a whole with a plethora of opportunities. The environment created by the students is one of academic and personal excellence, and it is a drastic contrast from that of other schools that I have attended.
—Submitted by a student

Being involved with TWS for over twenty years has given me a perspective of the school few have. I have seen the school from its infancy, hard times and during its current Capital campaign. During all of this one thing has always held true. The faculty and staff at Wellington cares. I would not send my three children anywhere else. I have read some of the comments from disgruntled parents stating that if you are not a Big Money supporter you do not get things your way. Well I am Not a big money supporter and I am very happy with the school and the education my children are receiving. As for extracurriculars, if a child wants to participate they will have an opportunity. True, the school has gone through administrative issues, what school hasn't? No school, puplic or private, is perfect. Wellington is as close as it gets.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a graduate and a child who attended for nine years. [The Headmaster] was unprofessional and easily swayed by teachers and parents with their own agendas. I loved Wellington-I hope the school returns to it's original self, a school who cared about all children, regardless of their pocket book and personal agendas. It was sad to see the school take such a dive with the current leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

Wellington is a fabulous school for all ages. I enjoy the education, the environment, and everything else. The school has a lot to offer. There is not a better school in the state of Ohio!
—Submitted by a student

It has a very involed staff and helpful people working there.It is a collage prepitory school
—Submitted by a student

I have three children, one graduated from St Charles, one is currently attending CSG, and I had a daughter that just completed her first-year at Wellington. If you have a boy, send them to SC. If you have a girl, send them to CSG. While I found that most of the faculty are caring, I have not been impressed with the administration at Wellington. Furthermore, SC & CSG have far more resources than Wellington does. Perhaps Wellington will be a great place in about 15 years. Children of parents who donate to Wellington are treated much differently than those that give smaller amounts (or not at all). My daughter is transfering to CSG.
—Submitted by Susan P, a parent

Wellington has been a great experience for my seventh grader. The teachers she had this year were experienced, creative and innovating. They cared also about her emotional and social stability. It has been a very positive experience for her. The music,sports and art programs were excellent. Coaches were positive. However it has been a very difficult and disappointing year for my youngest child. The teacher was very demeaning and condescending. I will rate below my seventh grader's experience. My youngest childs experience, I hope, was unusual for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Wellington was an experience that started great and ended badly-- with my family recanting on capital funding pledges due to our general unhappiness. This was all before the new heads of division. I can only hope that it is more what it was at the beginning of my 13 years than at the end: a caring environment where EVERY STUDENT was important, not just the ones whose parents had great influence on the board, or were great athletes. Even with these comments: the level of education was great- college was easy comparatively. If Wellington could get the atmosphere back up to the level where it used to be, it would be worth the $ for the education.
—Submitted by a former student

This is my sons 2nd year at Wellington and it has been the best educational experience we have had. The teachers that we have had have all been very great. They have great programs for all of the kids who attend there that public schools don't offer. Most of the kids parents are involved in some way with the school and everyone was very welcoming of us when we came to the school. It is a great positive academic environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a 13 year veteran of Wellington. Reflecting back on my college years I can definately say that Wellington provided me with a learning and academic foundation several steps beyond my peers. Wellington has always had a strong emphasis on individuality and the Arts and I think this focus on fostering a strong sense of individuality in the students is often misconstrued as a lack of direction and leads to the misconception that Wellington is not competative. By the time Wellington students get to college, they understand that their sucess (in life) is not defined by an arbitrary race amongst their peers but rather reflects the unique realities of that students experiences academically and in real life. Go Jags.
—Submitted by a former student

Parental involvement at this school is terrific. My children enjoy a safe learning environment. Teacher quality is high and the new appointments of division heads for all 3 divisions over the last 2 years has been great. The Board made great decisions in acquiring each of these individuals. There could be a little more in the sports department. However, when graduating an average class of 50, Wellington will not be able to have everything. Perhaps with a new Athletic Director to start in the summer some of that will change. The Arts and Music are terrific. The Upper School was asked to perform at the Fringe Festival last summer. What an accomplishment!
—Submitted by a parent

It is absolutely wonderful to be part of such a great school community. Dedicated teachers provide a challenging and supportive learning environment where each child is encouraged to excel. Teachers and administrators are easily accessible to the entire family.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great community school, by that I mean the parents and families involvement is excellent and extensive! The arts programs are excellent and the sports programs are poor. The school has many leadership and curriculum issues/problems to work out. This school is a choice for parents to research throughly. It can be a superior learning enviroment for certain students and a poor learning enviroment for more driven motivated students. The 'competive edge' is missing from this school, therefore it creates a more lacks view on learning and learners.
—Submitted by a parent

TWS goes beyond all expectations to inspire, inform, instruct, instill, excellence in academic disciplines, while maintaining a high level of student awareness, loyalty, respect for individuals and property, encouragement of imagination, thinking outside of the box, hard work. The level of expectation at TWS is very high. My son has been at TWS for 8 years and has maintained a 4.0 average. Much of this is possible because of the parent/teacher/student/child relationships at TWS which strive to build a lattice work of contributing and giving within the school community. The academic programs are structured to allow as much challenge as a student may demand, while supporting the individual needs of each student to excell at their own level. TWS rates with the best of the best as presented in 'school of Dreams', but in a private school sector. I have no doubt that in this unfair world, my son is getting the best education possible that money can buy. Parental/teacher relationships are open and mature in addressing each gifted aspect of a students individuality. My son is the joy of my life and this is one way I can offer him the opportunity to excell within himself and to believe in himself without any fear or negative consequences. The work level is very high and is not for any student who has little desire to learn to be the best individual they can become and be a team player at the same time.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, so-so administration, and seriously lacking in extracurricular activities. Somebody get that school a theater and music program.
—Submitted by a parent

Teaches the students to reach his or her potential; strong diversity emphasis; well balanced education including science and arts; stresses importance of service learning; parent involvement is highly encouraged; the teachers are the best you'll find anywhere.
—Submitted by a parent