Austin Preparatory School

101 Willow Street

Reading, MA 01867

27 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 03, 2024

We decided to enroll our child in this school after encountering bullying and a lack of the values we prioritize at another Catholic Elementary school. Our experience here has been excellent, with our child's grades improving from a mix of As and Bs to straight As. We are pleased with the quality of teaching and administration; however, we do wish for better communication and fewer mandatory expenses for events given the already high tuition fees. Despite this, overall, it has been a positive experience for us.
Submitted by other on April 12, 2024

Recently I was chatting with a young couple about today's education; this young couple are parents of a 7 month old. The couple ×as aware of my academic and professional credentisls; I do hold several degrees and I have served as advisor, mentor and teacher of college, graduate and professional students. The parents asked me about the rising costs of education and what advice I might have for their young child's education. I thought of the present cost of attending AP (I am an alumnus of AP from quite some time ago). Bottom line I said was no school for high school years is worth $31,500. If there is a decent public high school in your town, go to it. Use your money on college or graduate school or professional school(med or law). AP seems to be under the false impression that it is somehow an elite place that people will fall to their knees and praise someone that says he/she attends AP.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2024

The administration only cares about money not the students. Dress down days or spirit weeks they tell you what you can wear and then demand you pay money. Most of the faculty has students there that get special accommodations. Paying students are second class citizens. For being a Catholic School they certainly do not practice what they preach. The teachers are mean, call the kids stupid. The varsity coaches will play upperclassmen who are not talented over freshman who have much higher skill. The school is so overpriced for what you get. Really regret sending our child there. Don’t waste your money.
Submitted by other on September 19, 2023

As an LGBTQ student who went to this school, I cannot think of anyone where I was accepted. There were no clubs for the community (not even a Straight Gay Alliance, despite there being these clubs at other private Catholic schools in the state), and transgender people were outcast and disrespected, even by administration. The only good thing about the school was the teachers, but now, most of the ones I had are gone because of poor treatment or the admin forcing them out. The administration of Austin Prep are truly awful, and they’re too wrapped up in their narcissism to notice that students like me are suffering there. Don’t bother paying for your kid to go there. I’d rather it shut down.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2019

Truly exceptional. The faculty and staff are so in tune with each student and their needs. I have two children attending AP and the sacrifice to send them is totally worth it
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2019

Excellent Both kids went through and I could not be happier with the people they have become. Going off to college for my oldest was a smooth transition. Classes are small and they were able to get any extra help. The adivsory program is so helpful for student and parent. Gives them another avenue to succeed.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2019

Austin Prep has been a great experience for my son. The small class sizes give the kids an opportunity to participate and be more engaged. The staff goes above and beyond to help the kids succeed. The school has high academic standards, and kids are committed to their education. My son loves his school and we are so happy to be a part of such a great community! Parent
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2019

Austin Prep helps kids raise their own expectations for academic success and good behavior. It's pretty terrific to see as a parent! The teachers care about each individual student's learning. Everyone can participate in teams, even if they are new to the sport. The best part about Austin Prep is its strong and supportive community!
Submitted by other on April 09, 2019

When I first came to Austin in sixth grade I would have recommended it to anyone. The whole environment of Austin Prep was almost perfect. The problem is that all good things come to an end. Nowadays, Austin Prep has become a business run by an administration that possesses the qualities of an insecure teenager. Their only focus is on public image, reputation, and popularity. Caritas, Christian love of humankind; charity. In the past few years, Austin Prep has proven to have no respect for the people who fill their pockets. They are notorious for being incredibly disrespectful to the students and parents, often acting as if they have authority over even the parents. The staff has adopted a sense of entitlement and seems to have forgotten that they are simply an institution designed to provide an education for its students. Austin Prep is simply a blowfish. They take a Goldilocks approach to creating their public image, while somehow managing to consistently cause the students and families to be less and less happy."It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels."-Saint Augustine
Submitted by student on January 25, 2019

As an international student who attends Austin Prep for last 4 years, my experience is not as good as I expect. Frankly, I am disappointed for going to Austin. Their academic strength is lower than I thought, they will force you to take courses that may not fit best to you. There are few awesome teachers at that school, but there are more lame teachers who basically do nothing in the class. One of my teacher who teach AP courses doesn’t even know what’s on the AP test. The administration office is also disappointing. They just watch students cheat and act nothing, they set up rules and rarely enforce them. There is no punishment if you don’t attend mandatory activities. Furthermore, their tuitions are unreasonably high, I felt my money is wasted in this school. I won’t recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by student on November 06, 2018

It has not been a good experience. Way to strict with rules that they constantly change and don’t apply to all students
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2018

It has not been a good experience. My daughter had quite a few friends transfer out after last year. If she was younger she would do the same but will finish out at Austin.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2018

Excellent. My child couldn't be happier. We couldn't be happier. I know some of the parents with older children were angry with the changes in administration and I suspect that's who the people posting negative reviews are. I question whether they are even all real because I don't know of any parents that are unhappy at the school to that degree.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2018

Like the commenter below I wish I read these and other reviews before sending my child to Austin. The teachers try for the most part but are hampered by the leadership which is terrible. I'm told a previous principal was much better but the person who has been in charge for the last few years is not good at all. His leadership has created morale issues for students, parents and staff as he made the campus a very unwelcoming place.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2018

Awful. Agree with many of the sentiments below. The new headmaster is ruining the school. Thinks it’s an elite school and it’s not. Loves to hear himself talk and often compares himself to presidents and other famous figures which is a joke. Not worth the money at all as the Administration is uncaring and doesn’t seem to understand or particularly like kids.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2016

I should have read these a while ago..I would totally agree with the disappointment in sending my children to High School here. They have gotten good grades, but that is because they came from excellent middle schools and have done the work themselves. There was a different Headmaster when I originally viewed the school. The number of good teachers that have left since he has come aboard or are in fear of their jobs is incredible. I would agree that he likes to “hear himself talk”. He totally disrespects the students, talks down to them and does not treat them as individuals nor feels he should give them the time of day. Students are constantly given suspension for the craziest reasons. If they post a negative picture, say the wrong thing on social media about the school and get caught. It is like having Putin for a headmaster. Students hide from him and the Assistant Headmaster. I would also agree with the post concerning sports at the school “They will cut Juniors and Seniors to "nurture and prepare" middle school kids on JV and V”. I have lived through that as well.
Submitted by teacher on March 02, 2016

I was hired as a substitute teacher at Austin Prep for a few weeks in the spring of 2016. Having taught in Catholic schools for over a decade, I was amazed at how this place was run.First of all, let me say that the students are generally polite, and the school grounds are well-maintained.But Austin Prep gets really strange when you look beneath the surface: there is a highly dysfunctional disciplinary environment in place. Kids constantly show up late for school (and there is no disciplinary system to prevent this). Once they do arrive, they waltz into class, out of dress code, with breakfast sandwiches, Starbucks drinks etc., and fully expect to be able to spend the class time trolling the Web on their iPads. Students are constantly asking to see the nurse, see the guidance counselor--and teachers are told to indulge their every whim. Students bring in HUGE drinks to class, and then--surprise!--ask to go to the bathroom a few minutes later. I even had the school's principal interrupt class to give a student his homework (which was already late by several weeks). What ever happened to holding STUDENTS accountable in a school??The teachers seem like very nice people, but are frustrated by the dysfunctional environment. Most have adapted by showing videos insteading of engaging students in LEARNING.The net effect of all of this is students who do very little learning in their time at Austin Prep. It's true that even the best of schools have a hard time fighting against the onslaught of distractions keeping our young people from learning, but many of the 12th graders here can barely write a simple essay on a test in a coherent way.Parents and students deserve better!
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2015

Save your money for college. If you are looking for a well rounded experience, that includes sports dont bother. They will cut JUniors and Seniors to "nuture and prepare" middle school kids on JV and V. You just a tuition payment. They are an independant Catholic school that is govererned by themselves, so they are never wrong. The have no moral obligation to your children ...BEWARE...do your homework parents
Submitted by other on March 21, 2015

As a former student, I cannot say enough about my experience at Austin Preparatory School. The academics is one of the strongest in the area. The teachers are highly qualified and are passionate about their subject matter and especially about their students succeeding. I felt well equipped for college level courses upon graduation and was also able to complete college credits by taking AP courses my senior year at Austin. Also the multiple extracurricular activities were great ways to make friends and also experience something new. I participated in three sports and the team spirit was something very important in the Austin community. I highly recommend this school. I hope you or your children find the best that Austin has to offer!
Submitted by principal on March 20, 2015

Visit our School today! Rolling Admissions are March through July for grades 6-11. Call our office to schedule a tour, Shadow Day or register for an upcoming Open House. 781-944-4900 ext 770. Visit our website at www.austinprep.org to start your Austin journey.