Reviews of The Academy at Penguin Hall (School)

rawr blah

I found that the school was very hypocritical....

Ashley Sinclair

I am totally impressed by the work APH is doing to educate young women. They are providing young women with a great opportunity. The campus is a welcoming and beautiful place to learn. The teachers, staff and administration care about each individual student and work hard to help them achieve their goals both in and out of the classroom.

Dylan Burbridge

The policies at this school are awful. While the school campus is nice; everything else about it is horrendous. The administration is far too worried about dress coding girls for their logo on a sweatshirt being too big or worrying about creating a phone free environment than caring about the actual happiness of the girls who attend. This school may have one of the worst administrators in Anastasia Zink. She is unconnected from the how normal teenage girls of this generation behave, and is clearly not fit to administer a high school properly.

Penelope Penguin

As a student of APH I wanted to STRONGLY advise girls considering applying to APH. I first would like to say that every single teacher other than 1 or 2 since the opening of APH has left due to the toxic leadership. Students at APH are leaving by the handful, and the Academy is taking any students who apply due to the number of students leaving. Administration is oblivious to the fact that these students are leaving simply because APH isn’t a safe space. Administration likes to believe it is because of “all sorts of different reasons” but this simply is not true. Ever since the new dean of students, Anastasia Zink, was hired at APH, the entire feel of the APH community has changed. Instead of worrying about IMPORTANT topics at the Academy, Anastasia is focused on catching girls bringing in “non reusable” Dunkin Donuts cups and making sure that a logo on a girls sweatshirt is 2 inches by 2 inches. She is straight up immature. One thing that administration appears to try to hide is that APH is no longer a project based learning school, or so they claim that they “use a new term.” They did not communicate this change to any parents or students. This should be a red flag to future students. Do not expect APH to be the “project based learning school” that they sell it as. Girls are required to play a sport, but the sports are terrible. The word is that the president of Saint John’s Prep sends his daughter to Austin Prep, when APH is right down the street from SJP. That doesn’t sound like someone who doesn’t have confidence in this school. Although I will most likely finish out the school year, I will definitely not be returning. Girls, SAVE YOUR PARENTS A TON OF MONEY AND STAY WHERE YOU ARE. DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ASK ONE OF THE 50+ STUDENTS WHO HAVE LEFT APH AND WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCES WERE. You definitely won’t get an honest answer from anyone currently attending out of fear of becoming a suppressive person.

Dave Colby

Great Positive environment for learning and growth for young girls. I just recently went to the spring musical performance and I was completely impressed with the talent on display, and the free spirit of the student body, I felt like this exuberance is only possible an all girl school. Dr Kimberly and Miss Horgan really push the girls and make them produce good work. And Edith in the reception area is always so pleasant to everyone that walks in the door. Also the meals that are provided are first class and Marianne the chef really takes care of the girls. If you are looking for a catholic school on the north shore then I recommend APH!

Lisa Mayes

Unique and powerful educational opportunity for high school age girls north of Boston.

m fine

As a current student this school has been the best thing that has ever happened to me I have met so many amazing new friends and I have already learned so much from my amazing teachers!

Gloria S

I would not recommend this school to anyone. Parents and students were promised full science labs, teacher retention and progressive project based education which was all a complete fabrication. This school has had an extremely high turn over rate since opening, which speaks volumes about the school, from the first year 99% teachers have quit. Many administrators have also left in a short span of time, directors and deans have quit working for the school which is very difficult for parents and students having any consistency. This school lacks ethics, I would advise parents and students to seek alternate education.

Jennifer Smith

As a former student I want to warn those thinking of enrolling at aph/sending their child to aph. The administration cares about money, that’s it. Last year the staff cared about students, but with the new principal (Anastasia Zink) all hell broke loose. Teachers are leaving because they hate how they’re being treated and judged. Students are leaving because we aren’t taken seriously and no one wants to talk about the prevalent issues the school has. On more than one occasion our principal has accidentally sent emails to the wrong person, making fun of/bullying students and their families. The only good parts of the school are the counselor, which everyone needs. Save yourself the co pay money for therapy and don’t step foot near here

Winter M.

As a former staff, I experienced harassment and bullying by a male staff member. It's also ironic since the school was supposed to empower women and dedicated to Catholic values. I would like potential students and families to be aware of this "teacher," since the school clearly took no action against him.

Emily Empowered

I left APH and it was by far the best thing I've ever done. Stay away. Also, all the reviews above mine are either from the administration or reviews from when a teacher told a group of freshman to leave positive reviews to balance out the bad ones. Don't be fooled

Alex Osborn

I am a 2019 graduate of the Academy at Penguin Hall. This school changed my life for the better. I was suffering at my public high school through freshman and sophomore year. I felt different and excluded and began the search for a private school that would fit my needs. I hated the idea of an all girls school but I liked what the school represented so I went to an open house. Flash forward to next fall I'm attending orientation for new students. APH found someone who felt as if they had no voice, and instead of speaking for me, they handed me a megaphone so that the world could not ignore me. I grew as a person in a way I never knew I could. I was given so many opportunities that my biggest issue at this school was figuring out which opportunity to take. The teachers truly care for each and every student and the relationship between faculty and students is one that continues past high school. Any student who chooses to go here is in for a treat and a journey that will allow them to be the best possible version of themselves.

Courtney Fine

I would highly recommend APH to any family looking for an outstanding environment and education for their daughter. The teachers and staff are extremely supportive and go above and beyond to make students feel included.

John Mahoney

My daughter is a freshman here and we couldn't be happier! The skilled and caring faculty and administration are helping her become the best version of her. She has met wonderful young ladies who are quickly becoming close friends. Do your daughter a favor and check out the school and talk to the current staff and students.

Zoe Ross

As a current student at APH, I think this school is one of the single most enlightening things that have ever happened to me. I come here every day excited to learn in another inclusive, communitave classroom. This is the first time in a long time that I have thoroughly enjoyed learning. Every teacher is willing to work with each student and adjust their teaching style to their student's learning style. This is a school full of love and respect. The lack of boys populating these halls makes me feel free to act how I want and think how I want. It is a feminist society full of girls and women willing to help you on a road to success. I feel like coming here, even when this school is so new, will make me learn so much more than if I went to any other. This is not just a class or a grade, it's a family. People who support eachother. I see a friendly face in every one that greets me in these halls. I highly suggest coming here. It's truly an experience for not only your brain, but your heart.

sara hackett

It is amazing to see what this program has done for the young women, both current students and alumni.

Dean Tsouvalas

Incredible opportunity for young women in this area to be educated in an all girls environment. You must visit The Academy at Penguin Hall to experience this incredible high school for all girls North of Boston.