Woodlawn High School-Magnet

Bad. I attended my child’s school a lot and I don’t like what I see.

My experience at Cornerstone Schools of Alabama was deeply disappointing. Administration consistently brushed off serious concerns raised by both students and teachers. The principal openly played favorites, and I witnessed a teacher being brought to tears simply for standing up for students. Several teachers who chose to leave stated plainly that the school does not treat students like human beings.Academically, the curriculum is poorly structured. Students who leave Cornerstone and transition to public schools are often severely behind. Student voices are routinely shut down, with the exception of varsity teams, who are allowed to speak without consequence—though even then, little action is taken.Despite presenting itself as a Christian institution, the environment felt judgmental, sexist, and at times prejudiced. The values being practiced did not align with the values being preached.The only consistently positive aspect of the school is safety. Their protocols for intruders and high-stress situations are well planned and taken seriously. Unfortunately, strong safety measures cannot make up for systemic issues in leadership, academics, and student treatment.

For the past 8 years, our family has been part of the grades program at Alabama Waldorf School, and our lived experience has been one of deep care, inclusion, and genuine community.As an LGBT household, we can honestly say we have never felt merely “tolerated” here. We have felt welcomed, protected, and celebrated. We have consistently witnessed transgender, questioning, and LGBT children treated with compassion, dignity, and respect by teachers, staff, parents, and students alike. Several members of the school community are themselves LGBT or have raised LGBT children, and that lived understanding shows in the way children are supported as they grow and discover who they are.Academically and developmentally, Waldorf education has been extraordinary for our child. The delayed approach to reading and academics is often misunderstood, but it is rooted in respect for childhood development. Children first learn through play, storytelling, creativity, movement, relationships, and hands-on experience before abstraction and testing. Far from “falling behind,” most Waldorf students develop strong attention spans, curiosity, emotional intelligence, creativity, and a true love of learning that serves them exceptionally well later on.Our child has blossomed here into a confident, compassionate, morally grounded young person who genuinely loves learning.Beyond the education itself, the parent community has become one of the greatest gifts of our lives. We have built real friendships, found support through difficult seasons, and watched our child grow inside a vibrant, nurturing, deeply human community.

I have had nothing but great experiences with St Francis Xavier Catholic school! I was new to the area when I first came across this school and since being a part of the school community my family and I have felt so included and welcomed! My family and I are also members of the parish but have met many families that are not and have chosen to send their kids to school here as they have also experienced the community here and the invest the entire staff puts into each child and their education! The teachers here work hard with each student to challenge them in their academics while also building up the whole person. I was met with honesty and clarity when I brought forth an issue I was seeing with my child, meeting with both the principal and teacher. I felt very supported and heard leaving that meeting, walking away with the comfort that the staff wanted what was best for my child and for my family and that they were willing to work with us to do that. I can not recommend this school enough!

I truly enjoyed this school. It teaches structure and great educational values. I am now on the path to become a doctor and it all started at this great institution from preK- 5th grade. I'm not sure how it is now, but it was great in the past.