Cambridge School of Weston

The Cambridge School of Weston is high school that’s both deeply academic and playful, a place of immense creativity and intellect, where students are challenged to think critically and to dig deep for answers. As an advisor and dorm parent here, I’ve seen my students light up at new discoveries, completely geek out on Chemistry homework assignments, pour their heart and soul into the school’s iconic dance concert, and bounce excitedly to class on Monday mornings. This is an incredibly warm, welcoming community of joyful learners — and the faculty here are only happy to share their academic passion with their students. My school days are long gone, but I only wish that CSW could have been my high school.

As a Cambridge School graduate, I know what a unique place CSW is and how, for the right student, it can be a great fit. The school has many dedicated teachers and a progressive ethos that puts the emphasis on always questioning. Unfortunately, for the past several decades, the administration and the board of the school have undermined its mission, allowing power struggles and egos to eclipse and in some cases destroy the very attributes that in the past have made the school so valuable. It’s particularly disappointing to see my alma mater become so divisive, with leadership that has a defensive, circle-​the-​wagons mentality. Morale among staff, I am told, has never been lower. New buildings can’t cover the fundamental problem here: a self-​important administration reinforced by an insular, defensive board more concerned with its own agenda than the support of a valuable institution. I hope it will recover but in the meantime, I would be hesitant to recommend it to families who are looking into independent high schools.