Pros
Hard working educators and support staff. Early college model tied to Goodwin University. Caring and supportive administration. Beautiful setting right along the CT River in a new building. Parking garage in the winter is a bonus. Students have Anchor which is like homeroom but you stay with your scholars for all 4 years building a strong foundation and relationship to help guide them from 9th grade til graduation. On site security guards.
Cons
The hours are longer than a traditional town high school so you don't get out as early but you still start early. Staff turn over was high towards the end of my time there. Discipline was not always consistent and kids knew how to get around this. Pay was higher in other districts but will say Union worked hard to bring our hours down and pay up towards the end of my time there. While magnet schools can be great for students, as a teacher it is a struggle to get after school clubs going because kids can be from an hour away making rides a challenge. Small schools struggle with having too few teachers to lead all the extra clubs, activities, meetings, etc. It's a con at all small schools not just this one. It leads to teacher burnout. I've taught in enough schools to know they all have their cons and really I do not have complaints about the high school. The middle school is where I would not return. It is under new leadership but it's not in an ideal building, no real gym for the kids, lots of turnover when I was there, but maybe that has changed?
