Ashley Academy

A review for Ashley Academy from an alumni. When it comes to education, a lot of what others say is true. It’s not a cookie-cutter curriculum. The school really goes down a different path compared to other schools. It encourages critical thinking, and really does challenge the student. That’s not to say that most of these are good qualities, though. Most of the valuable education lies in life lessons that were taught, but most weren't part of a curriculum. What WAS taught from the curriculum were things that would be covered either way, when freshman year of High-School came, leaving one bored once graduated from the private school. Regardless, credits from said education would not carry over outside of the school. Failing within the arbitrary guidelines provided by a slothful headmaster while under Ashley Academy would not hold a child back from going into a High School. The most notable positive qualities are some of the teachers themselves. Some came and went, leaving for better pay, but some stayed, remaining completely committed. As for the social, emotional, mental, and moral side… It is an absolute trainwreck. So much trauma has stemmed from this establishment for my family and I, all baked in lies, front-facing facades, bigotry, and a disturbingly apparent desire to save face rather than accommodate and help children grow into the best person they can be. Ashley Academy results in a person’s character being shaped, potentially for the better, but it is not at all a nurturing environment. The front page of their website claims to be inclusive regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual identity, background or belief, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that it’s drowning in deception. Deep-seated ableism and hate. If not in the staff, it lies in the fellow students. As a student, you remain stuck within small cliques of children, gaining no essential social skills or even knowledge to face the real world. Moral lessons were pandered, exclaiming a high-ground even though there were claims of inclusion- “That's not the way Jesus does it" to non-religious or non-christian children. The true lessons taught were “stay in line” and “fake it until you make it,” encouraging a silent, shallow, unfulfilling life. It leads to only more hate. It sets children up for failure. The only silver lining lay in the compassionate minority, singular teachers or even receptionists that genuinely cared for individuals rather than a shiny badge of "achieving excellence." It took me years to gather the courage to write this, as a full-grown adult with a High School diploma, and I’m here to warn you. Ashley Academy does not care for your children. It cares for money and reputation. If your child is struggling with social situations or education, check up on them. Ask them how they’re feeling. This is not the solution, nor the place to send them.