Uncommon Schools reviews

2.7

30% would recommend to a friend

(1,061 total reviews)
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Brett Peiser

40% approve of CEO

29% positive business outlook

Uncommon Schools has an employee rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars, based on 1,061 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Uncommon Schools employee rating is 28% below average for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

1K reviews
1.0
Feb 15, 2017

They Lie

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The opportunity to work with students who deserve just as much of a headstart as their wealthier counterparts.

Cons

The administration is often demeaning when speaking to staff, calling it feedback. There is a culture of you are either with us or against us. Should you have an opinion different than lead staff you are bullied and ultimately pushed out. They also teach to the test, in effort to improve data.

1.0
Jan 11, 2015

Not worth it...

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Close family/teacher relationships Students learn discipline and routine Good teacher development

Cons

No room to grow within school Leadership does not want to hear anything other than the mission All research points to encouraging students to question and talk to one another for development, and northstar does not allow it, not during lessons and lunch. NOT EVEN RECESS! Teachers do not create their own lessons Teachers are demanded to teach to tests

1.0
Sep 2, 2024

A Narcissistic Organization

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The students and my coworkers

Cons

Uncommon exhibits characteristics that parallel those of narcissists. Self-Aggrandizing Leadership: The leadership projects an image of infallibility, claiming all successes as their own while deflecting or downplaying any shortcomings. -Image over substance Uncommon focuses heavily on external perceptions, prioritizing how they are viewed over the actual well-being of students and staff. There is a noticeable disregard for the needs, emotions, and well-being of employees and students, with decisions being made that prioritize the organization's goals over individual concerns. --Exploitative Practices --Staff and students are overworked and undervalued, with high expectations for performance but little in the way of support or recognition. -- Rigid Hierarchies -- Uncommon has a strict top-down management style where dissent is not tolerated, and the voices of those lower in the hierarchy are often ignored. If you speak up about problems, be prepared to look for a new job. They will turn on you before they look bad. --Overemphasis on Metrics-- Uncommon prioritizes quantitative success indicators (IA and NJSLA scores) at the expense of qualitative measures like student and staff happiness. Uncommon does not care about either --HIGH Staff Turnover --Due to the stressful environment and tixic environment,.there is an unbelievably high turnover rate among teachers and staff, who feel unappreciated or burnt out by the demands placed upon them. Most teacher quit mid-year, the smart ones quit during the weeks long orientation. --Cult-like Culture-- There is an expectation for employees to show unwavering loyalty and commitment to the organization, often at the cost of their personal lives or values. It is the expectation that you will be available to students in the evening and take work home.

Viewing 25 - 27 of 1,061 Reviews

Glassdoor has 1,125 Uncommon Schools reviews submitted anonymously by Uncommon Schools employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Uncommon Schools is right for you.