So, you want to know what it’s really like at Wildwood School…Well, the truth is, it’s awesome – or I should say, it’s awesome for my family.
I was worried, as I think most sane parents are, about the level of entitlement that might exist at a Los Angeles private school. Worried for my child, but also worried for me. I mean look, I was well aware that I was gonna have to see these folks everyday – potentially for years. Now, for the kind of misanthropic person I can sometimes be, well, that’s a HUGE commitment!
Thankfully, thus far, it’s been pretty smooth sailing and I’ve met lots of great people at Wildwood!
Cue the applause.
Admittedly, I’m a new parent at Wildwood, my son just having started last year, but really, so far so good…
Families come from all over town at Wildwood. Most folks that I hang with and have met are down to earth, normal, like-minded souls — just regular people trying to live interesting, thoughtful lives. And, the same can be said of the Administration, Faculty and Staff. I was thrilled to realize, once school started, that there were many people who worked at Wildwood with whom I would HAPPILY have a beer or glass of wine – maybe even two.
Now that’s a recommendation in my book!
There are families with money at Wildwood. Some of them have, I would imagine, A LOT of money. There are also families with not so much. Some families have their parents help with tuition. Some don’t. It really seems like a hodgepodge of differing scenarios.
Wildwood is, in my opinion, very “normal” in terms of people and their relationship to money. The cars at pick-up are just that — cars, not a replica of the Barney’s parking lot. People don’t wear couture clothing to drop off their kids…
I have yet to see a tiara.
Volunteering, happily, seems to really mean volunteering. I was involved this year at Wildwood, but was selective about where I spent my time. Some of my friends took their first year “off”, as it were, and wanted to get the lay of the land before they committed to anything. Others hit the ground running, and really rolled up their proverbial sleeves.
And you know what? Any and all of that seemed ok. There seemed to be no pressure, no — do more, give more, be more attitude – at all. It really has felt genuinely relaxed, and I’m thrilled…
And did I mention? Relieved.
I was so excited to read this blog post. We plan to tour Wildwood in September and I appreciate the "inside" scoop from a Wildwood mom. Please write more of these kind of blog articles.
What refreshing news to hear that the Wildwood that was in temporary classrooms and an old industrial building on Olympic over 20 years ago still has some of the same values and spirit. There was always a very easy relationship between parents, teachers and staff; among parents there was little competition – just a lot of hard work and caring. I remember so many things fondly – especially Friday sing a longs. Carry on Wildwood!