I recently posted a critical review of my school, and they apparently pressured me to take it down. Here’s what happened: one day at school, feeling bored, I decided to write an honest review about my experiences there. Everything I said was true. After spending some time crafting my thoughts, I hit “post.” The next day, a friend of mine mentioned that our homeroom teacher had told him that someone with the same first name as my fake account got called into the dean’s office for questioning about my review. That person, of course, clarified that it wasn’t her since the names didn’t match.
To give you a bit of context: the day before I wrote the review, I was curious and decided to check out all the one-star reviews of our school. I quickly realized that most, if not all, of them echoed my own thoughts. I even shared some of the more amusing ones with my friend, which caught our homeroom teacher’s attention. She started dismissing those reviews, saying they were inaccurate, which is pretty typical of the school’s response to criticism.
In order to avoid any further complications—both for myself and my peers—I decided to take down my review. I may consider reposting it in a different way later. This isn’t a throwaway account, so if anyone has suggestions for how to go about this without drawing too much attention, feel free to reach out. My school definitely needs to be held accountable for its questionable practices. As for the school’s name, I’m not revealing it unless someone can really convince me otherwise.
TL;DR: I left a one-star review under a fake name, someone with the same first name got questioned, and I took it down to avoid trouble. Here’s a summary of my review:
As a student at school name, I can’t recommend it. The only reason I stay is for the IGCSEs and my friends. While I do have a few great teachers, many others are subpar at best. A lot of them seem unprepared and simply read from their slides, which makes learning challenging.
The facilities are nice but not well-maintained. The school’s vision claims to promote a close-knit community, but in reality, it feels fragmented and dysfunctional. Though I enjoy the company of my friends, I often see others around me who seem isolated and unhappy. There’s a lack of true diversity, and the social cliques make it difficult for most students to find a sense of belonging.
Many teachers come off as self-centered and overly sensitive, relying on the school’s disciplinary system rather than addressing issues thoughtfully. I’ve experienced allegations that led to attempts to suspend me without proper investigation, which only ended when I insisted on clearing my name. Parents of students who frequently get into trouble can expect numerous emails from the school about their behavior.
Additionally, the school seems to be dismissing negative reviews on platforms like Google Maps, which raises red flags about their transparency. They publicize their charitable efforts yet seem more focused on fundraising for facilities, with little accountability for where that money goes. I’ve seen favoritism toward families who donate large sums, and there’s an unsettling trend where only wealthy, new families seem to be joining our community.
TL;DR: This school is not a good fit for your child unless they’re a well-behaved, popular kid from a wealthy family willing to donate significantly without seeing real change in return.
It’s unfortunate to hear about your experience with the school and the way they handled your review. It sounds like you had valid concerns that a lot of students share, and it’s frustrating that your attempt to voice those concerns led to repercussions for someone else entirely. It really highlights how institutions can sometimes prioritize their image over genuine feedback.
If you feel passionate about shedding light on the issues within your school, consider ways to do it that don’t put you or others at risk. Perhaps you could organize a meeting with the administration to discuss your concerns directly, or even start a petition among your fellow students to address specific issues. If you’re looking for a more anonymous way to share your experiences, you could also consider forums or platforms that allow for more private discussions about school environments.
Remember, change often starts with speaking up, but it’s important to do it in a way that protects you and your peers. Good luck, and I hope you find a way to express your concerns that leads to positive changes!