Venting about Vanguard School

Some say they aren't surprised by report of alleged rape at private school

More venting about Vanguard

For those of us who attended Vanguard, this story is nothing new ("Alleged rape at a private school shows how weak oversight threatens vulnerable kids," Dec. 3). The field, the out-buildings, the dorms, the classrooms, lower school, upper school, the tennis courts and the student center, the library and especially the docks were all places this happened. Repeatedly. You can blame it on the administration, but those who were at Vanguard before Dr. [Catherine Wooley-]Brown, and were at the school for Mr. Nelso – or worse, Dr. Moon – know that the school is riddled with issues from the inside out. The majority of teachers that really cared have left. ... Vanguard has its issues, it always will, but the fact that it took this long for allegations of this nature to reach the light is the only surprising thing. This school treats its students based on how much money is donated. Coercion, blackmail, students having relationships with teachers, drugs and alcohol are all daily activities.
Former student: Chelsea, via orlandoweekly.com

I have had two sons at this school. Trust me when I say money talks. It went downhill rapidly while they were there because of students whose parents had the money, but were violent and/or had other issues the school was not designed to handle. Shame on you, Dr. Brown. I thought you were a better person than this.
Parent of former student, via orlandoweekly.com

This entire scenario is disgusting. Lack of oversight by officials has allowed carte blanche in these so-called "therapeutic boarding schools" that target our most vulnerable. Ethics are totally lacking as far as mandated reporting, along with human decency. Containment is not.
Jillie's take, via orlandoweekly.com

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