University School – Hunting Valley Campus

"The school is absolutely amazing if your son is very high functioning and loves academics. If your son loves English, debate, math, robotics , or science and needs college level expertise they will bring in professors for those students. This school allows very bright children to stay with their age and social group while getting college level classes. Ive never seen a better designed curriculum and the PhD level professors give 100% to teaching and molding these boys. My son is challenged and valued as a member of the community. HOwever, there are some things one should know before applying here; there is a lot of homework and stress at this high school ( if your child has high executive functioning, likes to study and is very organized it won't be a problem, otherwise they will work with your son to get him where he needs to be) Don't expect it to be a school where parents are welcoming and a place for parents to make friends. . This school is not for the parents--its for the children, which is how it should be! The school is a well run machine; the boys don't have a lot of upheaval or surpises in their day . U.S. is a calm predicatable environment. The one issue we had in the past is that some of the newer professors like to give last minute tests which stresses the boys out. The younger professors don't seem to understand that all the other classes run on a strict syllabus and them adding last mintues tests is ridiculous. They need to stick to a predictable learning environment. .. The older professors seem to lock the younger teachers on eventually and get them in line. Ive noticed the last year some of this nonsense has stopped. Lastly, 70% of the graduates go on to the top schools. Every single year they list where their students go to college. In another post I read they don't go to the top schools and that person is either lying or didn't really go to U.S. Sure some of the kids that are more into the arts than academics go to nice state schools ( there is nothing wrong with that) but many go to Ivy league schools. If you have a serious student I would highly recommend this school!!!!"

"Great education, but almost no diversity. Great sports but the communities and relationships seem stale"

"My friend switched from US to Hawken because while he was at US he was bullied. Also, he came to Hawken with stories of racism, sexism, and kids beating other kids on school premises without any punishment."

"Best choice for an all male private school."

"I entrusted U.S. with my thenc11 yo son to this "prestigious school" as a straight A student with no history of academic, behavioral, or disciplinary issues. After 2 years of bullying, that he endured because of the quality of the education, he was finally assaulted by 3 boys 2 years older than him on school premises. They were given one day suspension..... As a fighter, my brave boy is slowly coming back after suffering horrible PTSD, but please hear my plea to not subject your sons to the abuse my son sustained. I thought he was safe in these "hallowed walls" and he was not. This school supports bullying, ignores ugliness, and hides the truth. Beware...and take note that the only other negative review on this post is inaccessible, consistent with their policy (and not consistent with their mission statement)."