Thornton Donovan School

This is the worst school that ever existed. I was abused mentally by the principal because I had a learning disability and because my parents did not donate as much money to the school as some other parents did. I spent every single day studying in their library after school and going to the teachers for extra help but I was still bullied for being a supposed slacker by both students and teachers alike. I attempted suicide in my senior year and spent time in a psychiatric hospital and the school responded by attempting to expel me even though I'd never caused any trouble there whatsoever. I have severe ptsd as a result of my experiences in the school and am having torturous flashbacks as I write this.
Oct 19th, 2020

I just wanted to post an update about my experience at T-D. This was years ago, but I've been getting messages stating that my review is "illegitimate".You probably have not seen the things that go on in T-D because you were probably not a student - or you just don't notice the underlying sneaky comments students make about other ethnic groups. Kids would say vicious things to each other when teachers were not around,  or left unsupervised. It has been years since I even looked at this school, so I wonder if the environment has really changed. I will not be naming any names in this review.I attended T-D back in 2009 to 2012. As soon as I stepped foot in T-D, I knew I was going to have a hard time because I was so different culture-wise and class wise. I am from Jamaican descent, I had a thick accent, and I could not afford the same technology/materials that other students had. My "peers" would sometimes mock my accent, and I even had a math professor tell me to "pronounce my words correctly before I speak" to him. Everyone thought his comments about the way I spoke was funny, so they mimicked him constantly whenever they got the chance to. I was called ghetto for the way I spoke and also because of the music choice I listened to. If I didn't listen to rock music, or didn't watch certain shows, I just did not fit in.I would constantly get the question, "You don't watch/know (insert name or show here), what the hell is wrong with you?"I can name many, many, many examples of the times I felt uneasy, upset, or anxious around other students, but it would make this message too long. But here are two major instances. Before there were even sports in the school, we would have around an hour and a half lunch break to do whatever "sport" activity you like. Students would run around the campus , in that big muddy field, and play whatever sport they wanted to play. (Frisbee and throwing around a football was the most popular one).I one time heard a student call another student a "dumb ni**er" after he dropped the ball. I went to confront the student, and I asked him "why did you call him that?" Of course he looked flabbergasted, so he apologized and tried to explain to me his sad excuse of why he said those words. While he was speaking to me, the other student he was playing with ran over and asked what happened.I told him, "I don't like how he called you the n-word, it's not necessary and it's a disgusting word."The other student replied, "Oh, is it because you're a ni**er?"I replied saying , "I am not a ni**er! I am a human being, please show some respect!"He kept on calling a me a ni**er over and over again, so I ran off.I can remember my blood boiling while walking away, I couldn't handle my emotions, so I ran to the bathroom by the science lab to cry. I eventually came across this person again, and told him how I felt, and he said it was "just a joke" and I need to stop "overthinking it". Another major instance was when I finally got a computer for home and I decided to join Facebook. I added most people from school, but I was eventually cyberbullied. I'm not going to go into major detail because it was a major event that happened in the school - but a particular group of classmates recorded me crying and being taunted, and uploaded it to Facebook for everyone to see. The headmaster did not know about that incident expect for one teacher who stood up for me and forced them to remove the video. That video was literally the joke for whole entire year. I would walk by and people would mimic crying sounds and wheezing. After that, I attempted my first suicide attempt. That same year, I was pulled out and I had to attend therapy. I eventually went back to my own neighborhood, and attended a private school there.My life was so much better - I found my own group of people, graduated with honors, and got accepted into a prestigious college (which I graduated).My parents shelled out a lot of money to attend T-D because they believed I was hardworking and smart, and somehow this school would give me a chance to succeed in life.Listen, this was almost over several years ago, so I don't doubt things are under control and people are nicer than before - but that does not mean I cannot tell my experience about T-D. I read some other reviews, accusing mine of being "false" and that they had an "African-American" student attend the school just fine for several years. Good for them, but that was NOT my experience. There is a lot of favoritism within the school. There were a lot of students who would get passes for bad behaviors, whether it was by teachers or the headmaster himself. Take this information however you would like. Just know that not T-D was not this happy little place of wonderful students. Listen and look closely to how students talk to each other, and don't look from an employee perspective, look from a student perspective.
Jul 3rd, 2019

I really cant think of any cons. Great school. Had a ton of memorial experiences
Aug 25th, 2018

I have been at this school for a while, I can tell you it has been the best years of my life. Anyone who is looking for schools please come here you won't regret it.
Feb 11th, 2018

TD Summer Camp has gone downhillMy boys have gone to this camp for the last 3 years and it's gotten progressively worse; this summer, though, they complained nearly every day that they didn't want to go so I thought it was time to write a review. What's appealing about it is the fact that they have bus service and provide lunch (however, it includes sugary drinks and unhealthy chips/snacks), it costs less than other area day camps and you can select as many or few weeks as you like--so it's quite convenient. But from the quality of the food to the curriculum, the camp has declined. On rainy days, and there were many this summer, the kids mostly watch movies and play with legos. They could do this at home, I was disappointed to hear there weren't any crafts, or group/team games. The counselors in the play school camp (younger kids) are seriously lacking. TD insists you bring 2 bathing suits and 2 towels every day and the one day I sent my 6 year old with just one, the counselors wouldn't let him go into the pool the second time; he sat on the side on a very hot day! Really, no one could let him put on a damp suit?He also came home more than once with bruises and cuts that he said happened when other kids were 'piling' on each other. Despite bringing his pajamas in on PJ Day, he was confused about when to change into them and there was no counselor to help out. Five year olds need counselors with initiative! Neither of my kids advanced at all in the 'swimming lessons' and half the time they didn't go into the pool when they were supposed to.A particular non-highlight of the camp is the Closing Ceremony, in the middle of the afternoon on the last Friday. Parents are invited (basically, stalked by email to attend) and then you sit through performances and 'awards' of EVERY group (last year the counselors completely forgot to give my 5 year old a Best-of-Whatever and he was the only kid in the group without an awar.) Then there is a VERY long commercial about why TD is the place to go for private school. Next summer, I'll pay more to get more--someplace else.
Aug 16th, 2018