Annie Wright School

This school is amazing! I have been at annie wright for one year and i'm waiting anxiously for the next academic year as a seventh grader! we went on many exciting trips during sixth grade. This school is by far the best school i've ever gone to

My children have had a wonderful experience at Annie Wright. Their development over three years has been astonishing, and has clearly outpaced their peers at their old school. This is a direct result of the teaching and program at Annie Wright. The teachers truly care and the leadership is excellent. A previous contributor commented that trustees gave themselves a raise. I know for a fact that trustees do not get paid.
--Submitted by a parent

We have experience of both public and independent schools, and we have found Annie Wright to be exceptional. Like many independent schools, it has small classes, strong academics and an excellent range of extra-curricular activities. What sets Annie Wright apart is the student-centered environment, where every child is valued and encouraged to reach his or her individual potential. The teachers are talented, passionate and dedicated, and the new head of school is a strong leader and visionary. The parent body is down-to-earth and diverse, but they are united in their commitment to their children and their belief in an excellent education. Annie Wright is the best investment we have ever made.
--Submitted by a parent

AWS: High School and Middle School possibly worth the price tag, Elementary comparable to your average public education. My experience is mainly with the elementary level. Positives: VERY small class sizes averaging about 12 kids per class, many electives throughout the school day, if your child needs additional help there are ample resources to help with learning issues, very involved PTA with fun traditions, great opportunities for enrichment in the arts and music. Negatives: Teacher morale is at lowest I've seen in my 5 years at the school, bullying issues are not dealt with, children who consistently excel are not given more challenge but remain at the same level of work as their peers, tuition increase despite the awful economy, less actives and enrichment being offered yet the tuition not reduced, shrinking enrollment, confusing and questionable process of financial aid awards.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attend a private school for 6 years before coming to Annie Wright. I can tell the difference, Annie Wright seems more advance, has more parent evolvement, the school and it s community seems more content. Yes, my daughter last school was 15K less a year but Annie Wright was very generous in giving us 10K to help cover the cost of this school. It was be nice if the school could have more of a sports program. Also reading the last review in cutting teachers and then deciding to give themselves a pay raise. I believe (in any business) You have to look at where your money goes. I would rather pay 1 GOOD person a high salary then 2 people to do one a 1 mans job.
--Submitted by a parent

Major changes this year, letter goes out in July 2010 from board announcing they are "engaging in critical self examination of the school" in which they laid off a group of great staff. Tuition increases to average of 18k/yr (although they say this does not cover true tuition costs which are much higher. Months later Board votes to give itself a raise. All this would almost be something you could stomach if the learning was equal to public school Ap, or even if learning took place that was adjusted to each student. It really teaches all the same just like public school but without the extra courses for highly capable etc.. Atheltics oferring is limited, new rock wall that many groups have not been invited to use, cut backs in swimming pool, reduced science class time and more..... Why is it that bellarmine can offer more athletics, better academics, and at 11k/yr but state their true cost is 15k? It seems like AWS is not being run with the same efficiencies as other privates. Lots of parents involved, but its usually for fund raising and social status not parent involvement in increasing academic challenges. The top of each class seems bored and not challenged.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a tremendous private school and encourages diversity across many socio-economic bounds. I have had three children in lower and middle school and believe their development both acedemically and socially to be well served.
--Submitted by a parent

Great environment, students are 'happy' but lower school is far too easy, and they do not adjust for the typical private school needs, in that I mean they teach down to the lowest needs, and do not have a process to pull out students who are above average and challenge them.. It is a few grades behind in comparison to higher end academic private schools. Basically a great private school feeling with public school academics minus AP. Also....an underlying habit of not notifying parents of behavior issues/conflicts, they tend to sweep it under the rug and hope no one finds out....
--Submitted by a parent

The school is amazing and the athletics rock. Our kids just took 5th place in the State Volleyball Championship and we play two divisions up. Teachers are amazing and the curriculum is challenging; life changing experience for every child that attends.
--Submitted by a parent

I am part of the Annie Wright Alumni: This school rocks, it changed my life and I am forever thankful for that. It is a great school not only for girls but for boys too. I was a boy who went there. I never felt like boys were out numberd at school. If you have a boy and you are thinking of sending him here, don't be let people change thier mind when they tell you it is a girls school. It is not, the middle and lower school are well balanced. And the boys athletic programs are good too.
--Submitted by a student