Veritas School Of Social Sciences

As a former parent of a Veritas scholar, I had high hopes for what this program promised: rigorous academic development, leadership training, and unique opportunities for Black and Brown youth. The program absolutely has strengths, including charismatic instructors, intellectual challenge, and global exposure. However, the execution does not always align with the mission.

The financial burden on families is significant. Tuition is over $14,500. Optional but highly encouraged program components like corporate immersion and global travel cost thousands more. These costs are not clearly communicated during the application process, which many parents have found misleading. The program touts a prestigious list of sponsors and donors, but it is not clear how this funding is being used to subsidize student experiences, given the hefty tuition and cost of programming. There is nothing wrong with recruiting an elite and well-resourced clientele, but the marketing and donor solicitations should align with that.

More concerning is the way emotional development and student well-being are handled. Students who struggle, even momentarily, may find themselves dismissed from the program without meaningful support, restorative pathways, or a refund of tuition costs. This all-or-nothing approach is especially disheartening for families who believed the program was designed to develop, not just showcase, talent.

The marketing suggests the program is for a wide range of students, but only a niche few seem to be well-served—those who already come with strong oratory skills and high confidence. Families hoping for a developmental experience may be disappointed.

To maintain donor confidence, I encourage the Board to conduct a transparent program evaluation, publicly share outcome data, and ensure all policies reflect the mission of equity and opportunity. Donors should request recent financial statements and accountability metrics to understand how their support impacts growth for all of their students—not just the highest performers.

Respectfully,
An intentional parent and child advocate