Woodstock Academy: Losing Interest and Enrollment

Woodstock Academy, a semi-private high school located in Woodstock, Connecticut, has seen significant decreases in enrollment over the past two years. The academy acts as a regional school and accepts students from neighboring towns that lack a high school of their own. Brooklyn, Connecticut, a sending-town of the academy, noticed a decrease in interest among Brooklyn students about attending the academy. A large sum of the students who once populated Woodstock Academy recently transferred to other regional schools like Killingly High School and Norwich Free Academy.

A recent article in the Norwich Bulletin addressed the enrollment issue and attributed the problem to Woodstock Academy acting less as a public run school and assuming a more prominent role as a private boarding school with the recent arrival of international students at the academy.

            Many students claim that the international students from China and other nations are treated differently, favored by teachers, and are given more attention compared to local students. In an interview with Valarie Carr, a guidance counselor at Woodstock Academy, she stated, “because they’re international students, and because it’s visible that they’re international students, it’s noticed that they’re different, where when we look at a group of [local] students I can’t tell if you’re from Brooklyn or Woodstock.”

It is currently unknown whether there will be changes in the marketing techniques and the equality of the academy learning environment in response to the article. The headmaster of the academy is believed to acknowledge the article and his approach to fixing the enrollment problem. As a student currently enrolled at the academy and a Brooklyn native, I find it necessary that Woodstock Academy revise their welcoming and advertising techniques and work to make every student feel welcome and equal on their campus.

 

[Kefalas, Francesca. "Brooklyn High Schoolers Ditching Woodstock Academy."Http://www.norwichbulletin.com. Norwich Bulletin, 3 Feb. 12. Web. 9 Feb. 2013. http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x2082684248/Brooklyn-high-schoolers-ditching-Woodstock-Academy#axzz2KjymQ6cE]