Wayland Academy Raised tuition fees despite good academic record. Favors wealthier students although they have a poor academic record. Major discipline and behavior problems, minors engaged in sexual activity. Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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 2014, 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.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
waylandgraduate
United States of AmericaThe kid is telling the truth!!
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, September 24, 2011
To start off I would just like to say I am a graduate of Wayland Academy, I went there for 4 years. So i have first hand knowledge of everything the original kid in the class 2014 is writing about. It is not a secret that Wayland Academy shows favoritism towards their wealthier students, ask any person who has attended they will tell you the same thing and if they don't they are lying through their teeth.
I will tell you about a event that happened while i was there. Some boys in the dorm decided that they wanted to drink one weekend, so a one of our classmates who lived off campus brought them some. He dropped it off and asked one of the guys who was hanging outside if he would take it up to them and he agreed thinking it was just some books or something in a backpack. He drops it off to the kids room upstairs, and goes back outside. The boys upstairs are busted by a teacher which results in all of them getting expelled inculding the boy who dropped it off and the one that carried it upstairs.
Now lets remember the kid who took it upstairs didn't not know what is was, but was expelled anyways. Fast Foward to the next semester they are all allowed back except the boy who took the backpack upstairs, the other boys parents made a huge "donation" to the school and then were let back in, but the kid who was on scholarship from chicago not having any prior knowledge to what was going on is still expelled. How is that for "Knowledge and Character".(FYI that is the schools motto)
Most times I read alot of these reports, and never write but this time I felt the kid needed back up. Because yes theses reports are public, and the school also has faculty who scan the internet for anything with their name in it and students who become their "tattle-tales". And many many times the only reports for student are filled out by them directly and not a student.
Wayland has these events every few months and they last about a week. They have the current students call future prospective students, to see if they have any questions and what-not. That would be fine I guess except they are tricking the families that are called, I say that because you are trained and they give you a sheet to read off of and one of the admission counslers are walking around listening and monitering what you are saying. Luckily I only had to do 1 my whole time there. And for the record i did not have a choice in the matter.
Anyways the person who said this "report is biased..." should be ashamed in themselves for turning on their former classmate, especially since everything he said was valid. Like he said he doesn't have a problem with the students his problem is with the admissions office. But for you to bring his facebook into play that just shows people how much integrity alot of Wayland students have now days. This person was apart of the student body, they have friends their who are from china, korea, africa and diffrent parts of the country and that is the only place he will be able to hangout with his friends. He or she will probably miss that because it was snatched away without warning. And for the SEX part, "report is biased..." person how is that an attack at the school when it is and has always been an ongoing problem for the staff? Your stupid especially if you are denying that on a friday, saurday and sunday night there are certain parts of campus you know not to go if you don't want to see people getting down! Ask ANY wayand alumni, the spots are behind the stage in lindsey gym, behind the bletcher lindsey gym, under the stage in LINDSEY GYM, by the science building, if you're bold south campus and if you really are good during the acadmic day in a dorm.
So by saying that he only wrote this to try and get "re-admitted", you look like a bigger idiot for trying to discredit his truth. All the kid was doing was typing the truth, and i honestly don't know if you are a student or faculty memeber but you better be glad profanity isnt allowed in the rebuttal.
One more thing yes the school is going through some turmoil right now with the president suddenly dieing last year, but finacially all the problems they have are their own fault! They knew what their finacial situation was but instead of working on it sooner then later they decided to do a not needed multi-million dollar renovation of the boys dorm.
So for parents or students who are THINKING OF ATTENDING WAYLAND, I'd watch out they will pull the smoke and mirrors on you soon as your check clears. Plus it is not a great enviroment for a family that has values. The kids at the school are constantly "hooking up" just because they see other people doing it and most of the younger faculty sets a horrible example of knowledge and character. There is an event every year we called it the gala and students are not allowed on front campus because thats where all the adults and teachers (who later that night have to chaperone student in the dorm) are all getting drunk, so they stay so kids won't see but its just disturbing. The teachers whoo have been there over 30 years are great but the younger ones ehh, i'd watch out if I was you because all they care about is your money not your child or his/her education and i say this as a person who lived there for 4 years.
-Wayland Academy Alum
wisconsin-student
Beaver Dam,Wisconsin,
United States of America
Report is Biased, Wayland is working within its Means
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, August 30, 2011
The report that calls Wayland Academy a biased and corrupt institution is deeply biased itself. Having first hand knowledge of the individual writing the report, he is deeply saddened by the school's decision to not re-accept him for this school year.
The fact that this student, according to facebook posts is "still trying to get back in" means he in fact believes that Wayland Academy is a fine institution, one that any student would strive to attend. However in order to take out his anger he is attempting to smudge the school's reputation with slander and and uncorroborated accusations.
The school, as he says, is experiencing financial problems. Thus it is completely acceptable that in order to continue providing a high-quality program, they had to cut expenses, and that regrettably meant cutting scholarships as well. Knowing some of the admissions staff since a young age, they are all people of the highest integrity and will work with any student interested in attending the school.
In some cases, yes, students cannot afford to attend. That is regrettable. However in order to maintain the high level of education at the Academy, they need income, and tuition is the main source.
As for calling the school a "playground for rich kids gone wild", I, as a student myself, know more than half of the school comes from families that make less than $150,000 a year, myself included. It is a high school, and just that. Sex, and other behavior problems are a fact of any high schools, private or public, and this is just a further attempt to get back at the school.
The report states it allows poor students to attend only because they help financially. I would remind him that MANY Wayland students make the decision to attend Wayland because they are poor students, and want to improve. Just as sick people go to the doctor along with healthy people, Exceptional AND poor students attend Wayland, to help each other, help the school, and help society improve as a whole.
As a current student, I can say heartily that attending Wayland Academy was one of the best decisions of my life. The community is loving, helpful, the teachers knowledgeable and personable, and the administration fair, approachable and successful. Please do not take the words of an angry, mistaken reject as a correct review of the institution.
Anonymous
Somewhere,Other,
USA
My Intentions
#5Author of original report
Fri, August 26, 2011
I'm not trying to hurt the teachers or the students. This isn't a personal vendetta. I'm fighting on behalf of all students who are facing the same situation as I am. We all deserve the chance to get the best education possible. I will not allow anyone to take that away form me or anyone else. I will keep fighting for what is right and will not give up.
I want to address some concerns. ALL INFORMATION IS TRUTHFUL. I was a student at this school and this knowledge is first hand. I'm doing just what the website says, spread the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The world deserves to know. If you have evidence on the contrary, I implore you to rebutle.
-Somewhere Other
mcook1995
Wheatfield,Indiana,
USA
Wayland Academy: "Financial Aid Problems"
#5Author of original report
Thu, August 25, 2011
Wayland Academy is a private school in Wisconsin. It seems like a fine school at first, and it is. The only problem is that many students were unable to come back to the school due to "financial aid problems". Tuition for some students was unaffordable. I am unsure of the exact reasons for this, but the school had been having some financial difficulties, as are most businesses currently. They denied many students the oppurtunity to return the 2011-2012 school year because of these "problems." It is rumored from several sources that they would've gone bankrupt in a few years if they didn't fix these "financial aid problems", but there is no way to prove this.