If you are moving to the north shore with children that are heading into high school, and have a choice whether to move to Swampscott or some other town, choose a different town. If you have no choice but to come to Swampscott, then register into a private high school, especially if you are concerned about bullying. With all the media attention to bullying and deaths among children I would think a school would be extremely sensitive to this subject but only few schools are and while this one wants you to believe they are forward thinking in this regard, they aren't.
Oddly, I did attempt to leave a review about this on a regular high school review site and not only wasn't it posted (twice), but the school was notified of the review. This really should make a parent think hard about what they read on the internet about schools, it's most definitely filtered and It's both sad and frightening.
The staff when it came to my son, was apathetic and useless. There was nothing that didn't make the abuse worse. In fact, they have one staff member who I would label a bully himself and because of the way certain things work in the school system he thinks himself bullet proof. And he actually is.
My son was self harming as a result of what was going on and the staff would not do anything to help other then useless meetings. The meetings intensified the situation. My child's car was vandelized after some of their "help".
When he sought solice in the arts, the director who is also the musical director, was petty, abusive and completely left without any constraints as how he dealt with the children. Calling children fat, screaming and making them cry and seeking revenge because he was reported. As a result, all of the other children side with him and he uses this entire situation to his advantage. The man is a tyrant. They have recieved several complaints but ultimately do nothing because he has tenure.
If your child seems depressed and extremely stressed after attending practice or going to this school I would spend time speaking with them. Many children will not talk about it for fear their parents will (of course) complain and the bullies (the art director most definitely included) will turn on them in every way imaginable.
This is how the school is run because even if you never have dealings with the arts program, the athletes and cheerleaders are protected in much the same way.
If you have an amazing athlete or beautiful cheerleader you probably won't have any issues.
It sickens me how things are done, and I have spoken with a teacher who went to the school years ago and said they went through similar things so none of this is new.
You have been warned, I wish someone warned me. You have choices other then this school too, so stay vigilant and be aware. And the first sign you see just take them out. Trust me here, I wish I had done this.
Swampscott High School Reviews
If you are moving to the north shore with children that are heading into high school, and have a choice whether to move to Swampscott or some other town, choose a different town. If you have no choice but to come to Swampscott, then register into a private high school, especially if you are concerned about bullying. With all the media attention to bullying and deaths among children I would think a school would be extremely sensitive to this subject but only few schools are and while this one wants you to believe they are forward thinking in this regard, they aren't.
Oddly, I did attempt to leave a review about this on a regular high school review site and not only wasn't it posted (twice), but the school was notified of the review. This really should make a parent think hard about what they read on the internet about schools, it's most definitely filtered and It's both sad and frightening.
The staff when it came to my son, was apathetic and useless. There was nothing that didn't make the abuse worse. In fact, they have one staff member who I would label a bully himself and because of the way certain things work in the school system he thinks himself bullet proof. And he actually is.
My son was self harming as a result of what was going on and the staff would not do anything to help other then useless meetings. The meetings intensified the situation. My child's car was vandelized after some of their "help".
When he sought solice in the arts, the director who is also the musical director, was petty, abusive and completely left without any constraints as how he dealt with the children. Calling children fat, screaming and making them cry and seeking revenge because he was reported. As a result, all of the other children side with him and he uses this entire situation to his advantage. The man is a tyrant. They have recieved several complaints but ultimately do nothing because he has tenure.
If your child seems depressed and extremely stressed after attending practice or going to this school I would spend time speaking with them. Many children will not talk about it for fear their parents will (of course) complain and the bullies (the art director most definitely included) will turn on them in every way imaginable.
This is how the school is run because even if you never have dealings with the arts program, the athletes and cheerleaders are protected in much the same way.
If you have an amazing athlete or beautiful cheerleader you probably won't have any issues.
It sickens me how things are done, and I have spoken with a teacher who went to the school years ago and said they went through similar things so none of this is new.
You have been warned, I wish someone warned me. You have choices other then this school too, so stay vigilant and be aware. And the first sign you see just take them out. Trust me here, I wish I had done this.