The Victor School

380 Massachusetts Avenue

Acton, MA 01720

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 16, 2024

The school is terrific. Very supportive of a kid with ASD
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2024

No todos pero hay directores que maltratan y personal a los estudiantes y los tratan mal los empleados de tránsito tratan mal a los padres y no tienen ética profesional y los empleados son maltratados por sus jefes falta de empatía rasismo a los hispanos
Submitted by other on July 03, 2023

During my time as a student at this school I believe I was used by the director as a scapegoat after outside providers contacted the school to express concern that there was an inappropriate relationship between myself and a male teacher in his twenties. The director advised me that *I* had poor boundaries and I was told it was my fault. It is objectively untrue that teenage girls are responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries with 25 year old male teachers. This review is my opinion, my experience, and should be taken into consideration in the context of other reviews. This happened a long time ago (I am now a successful professional in my thirties) however the experiences I had here were traumatizing and still impact me negatively to this day.
Submitted by other on December 14, 2022

Im a former student of the school, i left last year. It was a good school until I went into Highschool, the Highschools teachers were amazing, but that was really the only plus side.I was excessively bullied by students, the school couldn't have cared less. I reported it so many times but each time they dismissed it, even after it was obvious my mental issues were getting worse because of it. Their clinical staff werent helpful either, they often didnt understand issues such as anxiety or were quite harsh in moments where they shouldnt have been.I eventually left the school due to the trauma it caused me. There are some things I did leave out due to the damage it caused me.I do not recommend this school for your child.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2020

The Victor school needs to work on the transition process (after high school) on a more individual basis with each /student. They should come up with more internship opportunities that fits students interests . Also the cohort of the Students changed during our sons junior to senior year from mostly students who are ASD (like him) to students who are dealing with severe mental illness and drug addictions. Our son did not fit in with this group whatsoever. Multiple times the police were there in the school doing multiple drug raids. I witnessed this while sitting in the parking lot ready to pick him up after school. Kids arrived at school high, and would often sneak into the bathrooms to vape. When our son attended as a junior there were mostly students who were on autism spectrum. This was not the case his senior year. Our son is now in a different school transition program and flourishing. He is doing a paid internship and enjoys it. He is the happiest that he has ever been and feels very comfortable in this new placement. The Victor school may work for some students, but for our son it did not. My only advice would be to be sure that your son:/daughter fit in with the group of students that are there. Sit in on a few classes and observe if possible.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2017

Each child's and parent's experience may be different but ours has been great. The school is well-run, organized and does an excellent job of working with each student to maximize their potential. Yes, you may hit bumps in the road but, when we have, the school staff does listen well and work to resolve the problems. They do a solid job with transitioning students, internships and preparing the students to enter college, a job or to apply for additional services. This is NOT a school for students with behavioral issues though. If your child has those sorts of issues you should look elsewhere. The clinical staff is very solid as well. Overall, very well-pleased with TVS.
Submitted by other on January 14, 2017

They destroy your school records and tell you go get your GED. Some of the kids in there cant go to college and get their Master's because they destroy their school records
Submitted by other on October 20, 2015

Great school with great staff. I recently toured the Victor School and was incredibly impressed with the wide range of educational opportunities that they offer. The use of robotics as a teaching tool is incredible.
Submitted by other on September 16, 2015

When I think of Victor, or TVS as people there call it, I mostly contrast it with Manville (see my other review). One of the chief criteria by which I evaluate any place that deals with special-needs students is how they deal with a crisis. At Manville, students were warned three times and restrained and removed from the classroom to isolation rooms known euphemistically as "offices", even if they were doing nothing more disruptive than refusing to work. At Victor, students who were having a hard time were told to "take a lap", which meant walking around the circular corridor of the school a couple of times to cool down and get away from the situation (and also drop in on other classes and kvetch). It wasn't at all uncommon for students to request laps. If a student refused to take a lap, they were told to go to a case manager's office. In contrast to manville, these were actual offices, where case managers answered the phone and did their paperwork. Students stayed there until they felt calm enough to return to class, and there was usually a case manager there to talk to them, if they wanted to talk. Again, students requested this. If they were being really disruptive or refused to leave the classroom, everyone else would leave and a case manager would go in and talk to them until they were willing to come to their office. It didn't usually come to that, and when it did the sight of the rest of the class leaving was usually enough to get the student to go to a case manager's office. There was a lot of sighing and eye-rolling on the part of the students who left, most of whom had been in that situation themselves. No comments, though, because the teachers didn't allow that. There were only thirty or so students at first, though they expanded while I was there, and the rumor mill could get pretty nasty, since everyone knew everyone else too well and people were often bored. The teachers cracked down on gossip when they heard it, which of course made us complain.Possibly the most important thing to say here is that after being at Victor for two years I transitioned back to public school in junior year. I was as well-prepared as a person can be, and while it was sometimes hard, I graduated with the rest of my class, and I’m now a student at a large state university, studying psychology.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2015

Very disappointing. Lots of heart and good intentions and some excellent people, but a general lack of the skills and expertise that exist in the public schools. Not sure the intent of the philosophy is being carried out either. This school offers kids space and time in which to struggle, and a kind, sympathetic ear of someone who may or may not know how to respond. If your child is struggling you don't need another circle of hell to go through. Ask a lot of questions before choosing Victor in Acton.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2014

I am surprised by some of the recent, negative ratings of what I can only describe as a solid, caring school, and have to wonder if perhaps another school environment is being confused with this one? Victor is a small, therapeutic school that my daughter has thrived in for the past two years, and which she is set to graduate from. There are no foreign languages-something they are clear about during the intake process. They are fully approved by the DESE and their reviews are posted on line-something I investigated prior to choosing them for my daughter. My daughter has made solid friends who I know will follow her into her next stage of life, and when we have had bumps in the road, have found the Administration to have open doors. The clinicians are seasoned-and not all female-so again, I have to wonder about whether there is another Victor out there? In our experience, at least, it has been a great experience, for our family, for those working with our family, and most of all, of our daughter.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2014

Do not make the same mistake I did. My son has experienced just as much bullying and harassment as he did at his public school. School officials claim they're "working on it" yet my son experiences no change. To make matters worse, his workload is that of a sixth grader's and he's been forced to abandon his Spanish studies as the Victor School OFFERS NO LANGUAGE COURSES. How nice of them to leave that out while simultaneously claiming they have all the same qualities as an accredited high school. Staff carry themselves unprofessionally using foul language and the director has a serious attitude, especially when you confront her about her follies. In other words, not someone you want having responsibility over your struggling teenager. Clinicians are all young girls fresh out of college and appear to have no prior experience. I never imagined being so disappointed, but I guess it goes to show you can't trust a school that's held in renovated office space.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2014

We had high hopes when we decided upon The Victor School for our struggling child. Unfortunately, our hopes have been dashed and the school experience has not lived up to our expectations. As noted in other reviews, many of the teaching staff come off as rude and arrogant when talking to parents and use foul language with the children in the classroom. This is not true of all the faculty but it is true for a surprising amount of them! THe web page talks about the quality of education available at Victor. We have not been at all happy with the quality of education our child is currently receiving there. After one year, she still has not had a single Science class, nor does the school offer languages. Our child is now unable to access French language which he had been studying for 2 years at the sending district. As this is a requirement for graduation from our town and for entrance to most collages , we find this disappointing to say the least. The clinical team speaks of collaboration yet their approach is decidedly "their way or the highway". Families are put under a microscope and given very little respect when opinions differ.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2014

if you want a safe environment for you struggling student this is NOT the school for them. this school was once a safe place before they stopped adhering to the department of education's guidelines on sexual harassment. My daughter came home to me in tears one day complaining of such behaviors. when i followed up with the school director she claimed she could not give any reassurance on the student who put his hands on her because they have to follow rules on confidentiality. of course the school handles these situations based on their own policies which have very lenient stances on sexual misconduct. im currently in the process of relocating my daughter to another school. turning point high school and dearborn academy have both promised me that my traumatized daughter would be protected here. overall im disgusted with how this school has reversed the progress my daughter has made. shes been through enough already.
Submitted by other on June 26, 2014

Terrible system. Students with PTSD are mixed in with students with "social boundary issues" (this is the name the school gives to students who have problems with sexual misconduct). Students are given little to no rights as they are deemed mentally ill and unable to advocate for themselves. Complaint forms are a joke as they can get "lost" (as mine did on one occassion). The school needs to either have a better screening process for the students they intend to admit or warn parents in advance that their son or daughter will be mixed in with students who cannot control putting their hands on them. If you have reservations about your son or daughter with a history of sexual trauma being put in this environment, do not send them. Staff are rude and use foul language. The clinical team handles treatment reviews like a chore. If your child needs therapeutic services, I recommend Colebrooke High School nearby, which many students from The Victor School have transfered to.
Submitted by other on January 15, 2013

I started the Victor School in the 9th grade and graduated in Januray of 2012. I was more socially awkward than I am now and completely unaware of how my actions affected those around me. Even though I didn't see the importance of a lot of the things they were trying to teach me at first they stayed with me and worked closely with me to try to help me better myself. I made some great, lasting friends. I feel that I wouldn't have been able to be where I am today if I hadn't gone to the Victor School. Now I am living independently and going to broad casting school. When I look back I am proud of how far I have come. I also know that I couldn't have done it without help from the Victor School staff and students.
Submitted by other on September 17, 2012

Can't thank the staff enough. I graduated this past June and have made it to college-something I wasn't always sure I would be able to do, especially when my depression hit the hardest. The clinicians were supportive, the teachers understanding-the whole team was caring, but also knew when to push me, so I could grow and meet my goals-which I did. I made great friends there-which I know will be lifelong. A great experience!
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2010

My son moved back from The Victor School to his sending school, and while the transition was successful (thanks in large part to the hard work of Victor's staff, readying both he and I for the transition), we are missing the supports of the Victor community. The caring, the outreach, and the unconditional understanding of our son's struggles was paramount to his success. While we are glad that our son is better and doesn't need a therapeutic school, we do miss the collegial way in which staff worked with both him and us. A great school, a great experience, and got us to our goals!