Private equity owned and incompetent head of school. Unfortunately we did not have a good experience at all.

Any recent parent updates on this school?

Parent of an Auburn kid here. It is not perfect, but we have been very happy there, and it has literally done wonders for our kid.

Yes, there are things that could be better for the super high cost. Yes, it seems like enrollment is low and there is a lack of teachers.

BUT... All the teachers there that we have interacted with have been outstanding (except one, but was not bad but was kind of "meh"). They have all been very communicative with us and have helped us troubleshoot any issues that arise. The social learning has been really well-thought-out and helpful. They were lacking an OT for a while but now have one.

Our kid is happy going there and happy with his experiences there. I will say that he (and we) wish there were more after-school activities and a little more of a vibrant school community. It has been great having small classes, but my kid would also like more peers to choose from for friendships.

I don't know where the school will end up in the future because it does seem like there are some issues they need to figure out, but right now, we are pretty happy with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any updates?

Pretty similar pattern. Staff turn over and kids leaving. The BS is now the admissions director. Classes are super small now. They had to combine a Middle School classroom.

Any updates? We are new parents at Auburn and I have the feeling we enrolled our DC into an empty promise. Very disappointing experience so far.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everything bought by private equity turns to crap.

Did private equity buy Auburn? I know they bought up a lot of ABA practices but didn’t know about SN schools. Does not bode well.

Yup. They have been owned by a private equity since the first year of COVID.

Anonymous wrote:Everything bought by private equity turns to crap.

Did private equity buy Auburn? I know they bought up a lot of ABA practices but didn’t know about SN schools. Does not bode well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any updates?

Pretty similar pattern. Staff turn over and kids leaving. The BS is now the admissions director. Classes are super small now. They had to combine a Middle School classroom.

I thought they just hired a new admissions director? Is that person already gone?

They left

Everything bought by private equity turns to crap.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any updates?

Pretty similar pattern. Staff turn over and kids leaving. The BS is now the admissions director. Classes are super small now. They had to combine a Middle School classroom.

I thought they just hired a new admissions director? Is that person already gone?

Anonymous wrote:Any updates?

Pretty similar pattern. Staff turn over and kids leaving. The BS is now the admissions director. Classes are super small now. They had to combine a Middle School classroom.

Any updates?

Bumping. Also considering for elementary..

restarting this thread..... just was at their open house yesterday. Can anyone give new updates? Anything change? Better or worse? considering for my DS who is in elementary. Greatly appreciate anyones feedback.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My impression is that the staff are very dedicated and mostly great, but there isn't a lot of support from the overarching organization and that they are probably forced to work with limited resources.

Despite the high price tag, the number of students there is small, and I'm not aware of robust fundraising efforts (I guess that is limited if it is for-profit?), so I don't think they have a lot of funds to work with. On top of that, the pandemic has caused a major hit to teaching positions and supplementary positions like OTs, etc. - not just at Auburn, but everywhere. I hope the staff doesn't get burned out and leave because I think most of them are really great, and I would love to see them get some more support to do their work.

I agree that keeping good teachers at Auburn or at any school is critical. Good ones are harder to find and keep post-pandemic. But several Auburn parents I know have raised issues with the HOS. Supporting your staff is one thing but bragging that they are all doing 3 jobs during a townhall meeting is, um...bizarre? Certainly not reassuring. Highlighting that you have a dedicated staff is understandable but so what, parents are supposed to accept lack of services and accommodations indefinitely?

This is not just an Auburn thing of course, but I feel like it's only going to get worse. I would not be surprised to hear that more staff have resigned. Its horrible for the staff and horrible for parents. How do we break the cycle?

Anonymous wrote:My impression is that the staff are very dedicated and mostly great, but there isn't a lot of support from the overarching organization and that they are probably forced to work with limited resources.

Despite the high price tag, the number of students there is small, and I'm not aware of robust fundraising efforts (I guess that is limited if it is for-profit?), so I don't think they have a lot of funds to work with. On top of that, the pandemic has caused a major hit to teaching positions and supplementary positions like OTs, etc. - not just at Auburn, but everywhere. I hope the staff doesn't get burned out and leave because I think most of them are really great, and I would love to see them get some more support to do their work.

I agree that keeping good teachers at Auburn or at any school is critical. Good ones are harder to find and keep post-pandemic. But several Auburn parents I know have raised issues with the HOS. Supporting your staff is one thing but bragging that they are all doing 3 jobs during a townhall meeting is, um...bizarre? Certainly not reassuring. Highlighting that you have a dedicated staff is understandable but so what, parents are supposed to accept lack of services and accommodations indefinitely?