Pros
As a long-time employee it pains me to have to write this review about a school that I love and to which I have given many years of my energy and dedication. However, I feel people should know what they are getting into. Don’t be fooled by the pretty exteriors and the marketing-speak of the administration. I have seen many changes at the school during my 10+ years and few of them have been good. It went from a place with a real sense of community and shared purpose to a corporate feel with few members of the leadership team with appropriate education credentials or temperament. The associate head has never been in a student facing role and comes from the business side (of a school that has since closed). The head of the Upper School previously had only a few years of MS experience at a tiny school. It has become a truly toxic workplace that I have seen wreak havoc on the best teachers, those going above and beyond. Just take a look at the turn-over: between 2019 and now only 27% of the faculty remains. Yes, COVID had some effect, but it is the incredibly low morale that is at the heart of it fueled by a disdainful and disassociated administration. The “new” headmaster has been a disaster for the school. He is pretty, thin-skinned and has put the focus primarily on sports. Teachers are not respected and are viewed as easily replacable commodities. Unless you like to play the role of sycophant, you are going to be driven crazy by the environment. The only bright spot has been the students, who are generally great kids. Worcester Academy was a great place when I arrived. Its decline as a workplace has been precipitous. I hope that someday WA will get a competent administration that understands and fulfills the mission.
Cons
Incompetent and out-of-touch administration, toxic and unprofessional work environment, no contract, no voice