Wheeler School

216 Hope Street

Providence, RI 02906

9 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 05, 2021

I have had two boys at the school and found it to be an excellent school - with a good balance of strong academics, a wide range of sports and activities, excellent teaching, and a strong track record of college placement after high school (Ivies and other top 20 colleges). As some of the other reviewers have mentioned, this is an academics-first high school. (For us, that is a good thing.) Both of our boys have played varsity sports, which they may not have been able to do at a sports-first high school. In addition, we have found that the leadership of the school has navigated the pandemic very well, better than what we have heard from parents with kids at other schools. Like all private schools in the nation, Wheeler is wrestling with the issue of diversity in the student body and diversity in the curriculum. For some parents, it is too progressive and for others, it is not progressive enough. You can't please everyone, but we've been happy with the balance that the teachers have brought to sometimes complex topics.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2020

This school is a completely waste of money, instead of learning kids are playing, no wander kids love this school. Parents save your money!!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2020

The school offers a very rigorous academic experience that in my opinion is too much. Many students at the school are stressed and overwhelmed with the amount of excessive academic overload. The school can develop a more holistic approach to every student so that they can be successful in all areas of their lives, instead of just academics. The diversity in the school has grown but not to the point where students of color feel empowered. There is a big gap between those who have and those who don't and the school doesn't do a good job in the social/emotional care of students in this regard.
Submitted by student on September 16, 2019

I was a student there for four years, and eagerly left. The student population was shallow and petty, but self-congratulatory for their "incredible diversity" and "unity". The administration and teachers boosted students' incredibly inflated egos and refused to expose them to the realities of the world, all while patting themselves on the back for the great job they were doing in creating worldly students. It was an enclosed bubble of white privilege that refused to admit it was such and aggressively denied its privileged status. Minorities were exploited to better the image of the school as a welcoming, diverse safe haven, while their needs were entirely disregarded by the people claiming to support and protect them. I would not send your child to Wheeler unless you want them to enter college and the workforce completely oblivious to reality with an overly inflated ego. Wheeler does nothing to challenge the views of its students or educate in a way that is self-reflective, and instead relies on the assured comfort of its students to rake in cash year after year. Wheeler's spotless reputation comes from instruction that caters to the student's and their wealthy families ideals, doing nothing to challenge them even for the sake of learning to defend them. I do not recommend Wheeler for any young person wishing to develop strong analytical skills, an understanding of the diverse world we live in, or have an education that challenges their views and forces them to see things from multiple perspectives.
Submitted by other on April 27, 2017

This school is amazing! My kids love it and I have no complaints. Every day I am more impressed with the school. They take pride in their community and their academics. They know and care about each student individually.
Submitted by other on July 13, 2015

Outstanding leadership; excellent teaching; outstanding alumni/aw support. Private day school, urban education doesn't get any better than The Mary C. Wheeler School
Submitted by other on April 05, 2014

One will never realize how great this school is unless they are exposed to vast majority of public and private schools in RI. In terms of acedemics and sports, Wheeler is so elite it is hard to describe. The number of ivy league acceptances is about 40% of the graduating class (by acceptances/class number). A SAT score of 2000+ is average, and students always strive for A's. We have a great number of nationally ranked athletes (falling shorts to Moses Brown and a few other schools) but still have a great number of college recruited athletes as well. Socially, it is quite hard to fit in, and maintain social image, but you are never ostracized or bullied. The worst that happens is you are labeled "not very popular". Teachers are great as well, on a personal level. I treat many of my teachers like friends.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2013

Wheeler is an exceptional school -- across the board. I'm the parent of 2 recent grads who followed their own pathways and passions, so my exposure to different elements of the school was considerable. Academically, whether a student is in advanced classes or on a regular track, the teachers are committed and are subject specialists. Students develop a strong academic foundation and build on it in a seemingly limitless way. Athletic programs are superb and varied. Wheeler Farm is an unbelievably sweet facility. The arts and music programs are fantastic. Learning and striving for excellence permeates the environment. There is an aura of respect, kindness, and acceptance. It's a very exciting campus and experience. My kids and their friends were fully prepared (brains, souls, hearts...) to excel at top tier universities both academically and socially. Most important, they loved to get up in the morning and go to school, see their wonderful friends and engage with their caring and capable teachers. No experience is absolutely perfect, but their's probably was, or came very close. We remain grateful to the school. May it continue to inspire many more young minds.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2012

As a parent of a former Hamilton student, Wheeler has embraced the different learning styles of individuals and provides over-the-top support with HASP, Student Fellows and other aids. They are innovative with the use of iPads and other technological tools. As a lower and middle school student, the teachers integrated the Hamilton students with the Wheeler students at lunch and other activities, and all were an integral part of the Wheeler community.