Worcester Arts Magnet School

I was misled by positive reviews of WAMS and would like to keep other parents looking for good schools in the area from also being misled.

First of all, funding for MA public schools seems worse than funding in other states, with available resources for each school determined by the exact location of the school. MA's redistribution of public school funding appears to be as regressive as in typically regressive states.

WAMS specializes in the arts however my child received as good instruction in the arts at a regular out-of-state public school. The children get PE once a week and perhaps 10-15 minutes of recess in good weather in a parking lot with no barriers between them and delivery trucks, foot traffic, and foot traffic drop-offs in the rear of the parking lot. The cafeteria food is substandard even by public school standards. As in public schools across the country, the lunch period is rushed, with barely enough time to finish a meal if the kids can focus on eating with minimal socializing.

Some of the teachers are good at their difficult job. The drama teacher tries to infuse all children with her enthusiasm for acting. Unfortunately all children have to go through the dance teacher. She blasts music such that children with normal hearing feel significant discomfort and surrounding classrooms must listen to the noise. She digs her fingers into the kids and humiliates them as part of her classroom management strategies. The dances all children are taught are simple and uninspiring. More stimulating instruction is reserved for the Special Chorus kids from the families who can afford performance costs.

Although there is a morning Art Club available to all, there is little technique taught and cancellations can be frequent, many due to conflicts with a.m. meetings. Classroom ambiance is comfortable and the arts'n'crafts activities, fun. Similarly, the music teacher is pleasant but little extra is taught to all children in the way of music. Again, extra arts instruction characteristic of a school specializing in the arts is saved for the paying Special Chorus kids.

Best school ever.

My son is a 5th grade student who has been at WAMS since kindergarten, and the only downside to this school is that he can't stay for middle and high school! The staff all go out of their way to give this public school a private school feel, and the leadership of Dr. Sue O'Neil is second to none. She always makes time for a smile and kind word to a student and is dedicated to the point of disbelief. I would pay tuition to keep him here if need be.

This school is number one in my book. My children love this school and everything about it. The principal is by far the best principal I have ever known. She is kind, dedicated and an extremely hard worker. She knows her students and their parents and is always willing to go that extra step to help anyone. The teachers at Worcester Art Magnet are great too. They go above and beyond the duties of a teacher. This is the only Worcester Public School that I would ever send my children to.