Wayland Academy seemed like a fine academic institution, and I must admit that the teachers there are more than qualified. The only problem though, are the ones running the show in the admissions office. They allow students with poor academic records and in some cases, criminal records, entrance into their academy solely because they contribute financially to the academy. There were recently many fine students who were denied re-enrollment solely based on their financial situation.
Many students, myself included, found ourselves in quite a predicament, when we learned that the school had lowered or cancelled our scholarships completely without our knowledge. Many students, of whom had good academic records and good social standing, were denied re-enrollment and were even turned down outright, based on their financial situation. Not only were students denied re-enrollment, many were turned down. One such student who applied and showed strong academic, athletic, and had no criminal record, was heart broken when she found out that the academy showed no interest in her.
She did not receive any letter or form of communication that she had neither been accepted or denied. She received no such financial aid paperwork. She had a brother enrolled at the academy who also had an excellent academic record and was in excellent social standing with the academy. Her brother was allowed re-enrollment, but at an unaffordable tuition rate and had his scholarship cut without his knowledge. The funny thing? His sister was chosen for the Ichan Scholarship to Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut, considered the "Harvard" of high schools.
The Ichan Scholarship is awarded to only 10 students per year. They must show outstanding academic achievement, have a strong character, and be motivated to succeed. One might wonder how Wayland Academy could overlook such a star? The gold coins in her pocket did not shine bright enough to the executives in the financial aid and admissions departments. They, in their infinite wisdom, must have decided she was not worth pursuing. Choate Rosemary Hall must have seen potential in her if they awarded her an all expenses paid scholarship.
I will dispense with the story telling and get to the real issue. Wayland Academy, all in all, employs good teachers who are good at their job. My argument is not with them. The admissions and financial aid process is corrupt and shows favoritism, enrolling academically weak scholars, with poor moral and ethical values, as shown in their school and criminal records. These students violate or ignore the guidelines set forth in the Student Handbook, which is issued to every student who is expected to know those rules.
There have been several instances where students have engaged in sexual intercourse on campus. Students will skip or fail to attend class on a regular basis. This school is a playground for rich kids gone wild and, as much as I would love to take time out of my summer to list numerous and endless examples of the academy's failure to address serious issues, I have more important things to do, as I'm sure the parents who are considering this school do as well. So take my advice as a former student of the class of don't waste your time with Wayland Academy.
They show favoritism in the financial aid process, giving scholarships to undeserving scholars and allowing poor students to attend because they benefit the academy financially. I understand the school has to make money and continue to fund programs and pay the teachers, but their actions will be in vein and will only guide the students to poor futures setting the example that money speaks louder than an honest, hard working person.
Denying admission to deserving students and allowing the rich kids to rule the roost will only set bad examples for the rest of the student body. This will deter further enrollment and only give the school a bad name. I feel that $40,000 a year for this experience is not worth it. This school will only turn your child into a spoiled brat who believes that money will save him when he's in trouble. This is certainly not the message that we want to send to future generations. Don't let Wayland Academy get away with it any longer. It's time for change.
-A former member of the Class of 2014.
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