Parents Demand Accountability Following Closure of St Andrews School

LETTER

I am a former parent of two children who attended St. Andrew’s, and I write this to support the many voices, past and present, who have spoken up about the mismanagement and toxic environment that led to the school’s decline.

In 2016, following Marrissa’s return from the U.S. in 2015, a formal letter was sent to Mrs. Andrea Walter, the school principal, to raise concerns regarding Marrissa’s behavior and its growing negative impact on the school.

A meeting was even requested at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre to address these urgent issues. Unfortunately, these early warnings were ignored.

Many of us, as concerned parents, initially defended the teachers and tried to “nip the problem in the bud,” but our efforts were constantly dismissed. During that time, over 100 students left the school across various levels mine included.

That kind of mass withdrawal speaks volumes about the internal issues and the leadership’s failure to act.

I personally witnessed Marrissa push three teachers out of their jobs within months, creating a hostile and abusive environment. Let’s be clear the eventual closure of the school was not due to COVID-19 or any of the other excuses being offered. The school’s problems began long before that.

Teachers’ salaries were slashed without warning, yet parents were still expected to pay full tuition even while our children were learning from home. Where was that money going?

We’ve had enough. I call on all parents past and present who lived through this trauma to come forward and demand accountability.

The leadership must be held responsible, not only for the financial mismanagement but also for the emotional and professional harm inflicted on teachers, students, and families.

Justice is long overdue. The school may be closed, but the pain and loss remain. It’s time we stand together to support those who were affected and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

—A Former Parent of St. Andrew’s

Also Read: https://antigua.news/2025/06/07/sudden-closure-of-st-andrews-school-amid-allegations-of-abuse/