Windham High School

Communication needs improvement: sometimes unpleasant and impatient attitude from staff answering phone calls and ignorance of emails. Leadership needs improvement: lacking positivity and optimism.

A pointless homework overload that seems to only feed the ego of teachers without deepening the level of understanding for the student but meanwhile kills any enthusiasm for learning is near the top of the list of complaints. There is no ability for parents to communicate with teachers and administration with any ease whatsoever. There is no test review for students and parents to see mistakes and by which the learning process can take place. The administration lacks any personal connection to students, and perhaps parents. The emphasis on sports and not academics or the arts is disheartening at a school that's supposed to be so well-rated. Teachers will give "breaks" on homework for sporting events but not concerts, for example. Some teachers have no previous experience in or passion for their subjects and fail to convey any enthusiasm or passion to the subjects. Where is "Language Arts," or "Literature," or "European History?" They have been dissolved into some conglomeration that fails to nurture students' passion in those subjects. Again, the needless homework overload is absolutely disgusting, though, and inhibits a student's passion for the subjects, the literature, and learning, in general. However, the high homework overload does create a high level of students that find a way of getting around doing the work: In other words, if they're in a popular clique, they split up the work and each do portions of it and then get together and combine their efforts, or they visit websites that provide shortcuts for actually reading the books. Not worth the high taxes just to go here.

I believe WHS is outstanding. It is amazing how far they have come in only 4yrs. They have the right teachers and administration in place.

The teachers care about the students and want you to do well. They give up their time to help you and are willing to stay and help you after hours as well.

This school does not take into consideration the needs and learning styles of students unless they fit a specific mold. Any young adult who is not garbed in the latest fashions, perceived by the teachers and administration to be on the fast track for an exclusive collage or backed by a town supported political parent is ignored, ridiculed or pushed toward leaving the school because they do not fit. The administration truly bullies students, belittles parent concerns, and fosters a hostile learning environment. If you have a child who is a free thinker, intelligent enough to need a true challenge, or has any sort of real skill this school will crush them into a therapy needing individual. It is the Stepford school on the hill, something out of a freakish nightmare. Please beware.