Living Word Academy

As a graduate of LWA, I live my life in regret that I didn't transfer out. Students are coerced to accept the most right-wing, hateful dogma. Hatred of LGBT and non-Christians is preached in mandatory daily sermons. A friend was expelled for listening to rock music. Girls are taught to be subservient to men in marriage, and girls are not allowed to wear pants to functions. Leadership makes degrading comments about girls' looks for example, the principal told a classmate that she had "child-bearing hips," while we were in 9th grade.

Even for conservatives who accept the above, I cannot recommend this school. LWA refuses to provide recommendations for colleges outside of CNY, with the rationale that all graduates should attend Living Word Church. No AP classes are offered. The best teachers are very overworked, and others completely unqualified. I saw a teacher pick a 7th-grader up by the shoulders, shake him and scream at him. The teacher was back in the classroom the next day, and the student's parents shunned for complaining. When I went to college, I was completely unprepared, as I had breezed through classes at LWA without needing to study or being pushed.

I know the low tuition here is hard to ignore, but you get nothing for your money. My siblings transferred to charter schools with Christian teachers and had much better experiences.