just curious, how this works? don't private schools require the parents to sign a contract in june saying they will pay the full year of tuition? if that is true, why is there so much movmement when school starts? surely it's not like a public school where kids just don't show up. i mean don't the parents call and try to get their money back if the move out of town?
People who give up their private spot beccause they get into their WP school are probably ok with paying the 20k for the year since they won't have to pay anything after next year.
families that sign up at private schools have to put down a deposit (approx $2,000) and sign a form that obliges them to pay the entire tuition but if they walk away that clause is rarely enforced because (1) the spot released is easily filled so that $2,000 is pure profit for the school, and (2) it would produce a PR fiasco for the school and (3) collection would be more expensive than the $20,000 in legal fees etc.
If the private school tuition contracts don't have attorney's fees clauses in them, those schools don't have very good lawyers. However, you're right--in general if somebody decides not to come, they'll fill the spot off the wait list and no harm done.
I went through the horror of the application process a couple years ago and was dismayed when we got nothing, only a couple waitlists. But I just learned that a friend of a friend who is relocating from the East Coast in January called up two high-demand schools last month (one of which outright rejected my son) and got both her kids in! No interviews or anything! How does that happen?
I'm confused about these posts regarding relocation from the East Coast. Is it easier to get in if you're relocating? That makes no sense. Why would those families have priority over families who live here and go through the regular process?
Does anyone know anyone who has actually had to pay the entire tuition? I don't think it would be enforceable unless the school could show damages (and if the waitlists are as long as they seem, there would be none). I think they put in those provisions to scare people into making a decision and making it early because even if the waitlist is a mile long, it's a hassle. Not that I feel sorry for them!
Convent and Stuart Hall are part of a worldwide network of schools operated by the Religious of the Sacred Heart. They might make accommodations for families already in the school network who are relocating.
Someone moving to San Francisco probably has kids older than kindergarten. Most schools lose students every year. The privates must have had space for the kids at those grades or expanded the class size to accommodate them. If they are coming from a selective private school in another state, the local schools probably considered them pre-vetted and probably asked for transcripts and letters of recommendation from the previous schools.
Is there some movement for K wait listers, promised by Head of School, to get into 1st grade the next year? No crystal ball, just general thoughts on this topic is appreciated. Thanks!
Pretty insightful post. Never thought that it was this simple after all. I had spent a good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you’re the only one that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up
I know of movement at 2 private schools since the contracts were due. Both boy spots.
ReplyDeleteLive Oak will have movement in the next week...
ReplyDeletewell as for now i haven't known yet. if i have i will post it here.
ReplyDeletejust curious, how this works? don't private schools require the parents to sign a contract in june saying they will pay the full year of tuition? if that is true, why is there so much movmement when school starts? surely it's not like a public school where kids just don't show up. i mean don't the parents call and try to get their money back if the move out of town?
ReplyDeleteThere is not "so much movement " at privates after school starts.
ReplyDeleteMost private schools don't start until Sept. 1, so families that are waiting it out to get a public spot will know before the schools start.
ReplyDeletePeople who give up their private spot beccause they get into their WP school are probably ok with paying the 20k for the year since they won't have to pay anything after next year.
ReplyDeleteTuition is inching up..$24K at the Sacred Heart Schools, almost $25K at SF Day and Hamlin
ReplyDeletefamilies that sign up at private schools have to put down a deposit (approx $2,000) and sign a form that obliges them to pay the entire tuition but if they walk away that clause is rarely enforced because (1) the spot released is easily filled so that $2,000 is pure profit for the school, and (2) it would produce a PR fiasco for the school and (3) collection would be more expensive than the $20,000 in legal fees etc.
ReplyDeleteIf the private school tuition contracts don't have attorney's fees clauses in them, those schools don't have very good lawyers. However, you're right--in general if somebody decides not to come, they'll fill the spot off the wait list and no harm done.
ReplyDeleteI went through the horror of the application process a couple years ago and was dismayed when we got nothing, only a couple waitlists. But I just learned that a friend of a friend who is relocating from the East Coast in January called up two high-demand schools last month (one of which outright rejected my son) and got both her kids in! No interviews or anything! How does that happen?
ReplyDeleteAugust 9 @4:51pm - do you feel comfortable sharing what schools those were at?
ReplyDeleteTo Aug. 12 @ 11:25am:
ReplyDeleteThey probably have connections and/or have greased some palms. I am not under the illusion that admission is entirely merit-based. What schools?
We know people who got into lower school at Convent and Stuart Hall in the recent past when moving from the East Coast
ReplyDeleteI'm confused about these posts regarding relocation from the East Coast. Is it easier to get in if you're relocating? That makes no sense. Why would those families have priority over families who live here and go through the regular process?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know anyone who has actually had to pay the entire tuition? I don't think it would be enforceable unless the school could show damages (and if the waitlists are as long as they seem, there would be none). I think they put in those provisions to scare people into making a decision and making it early because even if the waitlist is a mile long, it's a hassle. Not that I feel sorry for them!
ReplyDeleteI know someone who was offered a spot at Live Oak.
ReplyDeleteConvent and Stuart Hall are part of a worldwide network of schools operated by the Religious of the Sacred Heart. They might make accommodations for families already in the school network who are relocating.
ReplyDelete1:48, was it is boy or girl who was offered the spot at Live Oak?
ReplyDeleteA girl.
ReplyDeleteSomeone moving to San Francisco probably has kids older than kindergarten. Most schools lose students every year. The privates must have had space for the kids at those grades or expanded the class size to accommodate them. If they are coming from a selective private school in another state, the local schools probably considered them pre-vetted and probably asked for transcripts and letters of recommendation from the previous schools.
ReplyDeleteSo, no spots opening up with the start of K...
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard about recent movement from the parochial school waitlists? We are hoping for a spot at NDV to open up. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIs there some movement for K wait listers, promised by Head of School, to get into 1st grade the next year? No crystal ball, just general thoughts on this topic is appreciated. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePretty insightful post. Never thought that it was this simple after all. I had spent a good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you’re the only one that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up
ReplyDeletefuture