Would you leave a school because of the parent community?

[Anonymous]

As we approach re-enrollment, I am more and more skeptical about keeping our child at their private school.

The year has been good for kid so far, and there are lots of things I appreciate about the school (like hours of time outside daily).

BUT, it is a not-insignificant financial sacrifice for us AND the parent community as a whole is exceedingly demanding, controlling, cliquish, and petty, which is bleeding over into the "feel" of the school. Parents are pitting children against each other and against certain teachers, petitions are circulating, the administration is in flux, etc.

Kid has made a good friend and I have made connections with at least a couple of like-minded families. But still... the bad vibes are making me reconsider.

Child has friends at local public, so the switch, while challenging to me in terms of pedagogical / philosophical alignment, would likely be just fine for kid.

Would this be enough to make you switch?

[Anonymous]

Haven’t you already paid your deposit? If you’re okay with paying for it while your kids is in public (maybe in virtual) go for it. Your kids spot will be filled tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven’t you already paid your deposit? If you’re okay with paying for it while your kids is in public (maybe in virtual) go for it. Your kids spot will be filled tomorrow.

No, our re-enrollment starts in Jan.

[Anonymous]

The parent community was enough to make me lose my deposit and withdraw initially. Community is incredibly important in schools. If that is not the right fit for your family, reconsider. This is your child's workday and where s/he spends the vast majority of her time. Make it a pleasant environment for him/her. That's half the battle.

[Anonymous]

"Parents are pitting children against each other and against certain teachers, petitions are circulating, the administration is in flux, etc. " This looks concerning to me. But if only one or two parents are doing this I won't make the switch as the quality of education and our financial situation are far more important than the parents community.

[Anonymous]

What year is your child? If HS/US, I would consider sticking it out. If younger, the parent community is more important because the families are where your child’s classmates are getting their values. I consider the parent community at my child’s school to be insufferable but am unlikely to change because child is in US. I have known people to leave private for the very thing you are concerned about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What year is your child? If HS/US, I would consider sticking it out. If younger, the parent community is more important because the families are where your child’s classmates are getting their values. I consider the parent community at my child’s school to be insufferable but am unlikely to change because child is in US. I have known people to leave private for the very thing you are concerned about.

Currently in K.

[Anonymous]

What school is this that parents are like this in K?

[Anonymous]

If Admin is in Flux and you are new to the school maybe ride it out.

Perhaps this has been building for a few years and your DC - if you stick around- will benefit from the changes under foot

[Anonymous]

What kind of petitions are circulating? About teachers, or about school protocol, etc?

[Anonymous]

I had two kids in a K-8. I didn’t like one ☝️ aren’t grade but really like the other. In a small school there can be a lot of variety of parents.

[Anonymous]

*parent

[Anonymous]

I would if it were deeply concerning to me. The school community includes you and how well you feel there. Do make sure you are being a positive force though (not just reacting) before you make your decision. Often we get back what we put in, twice.

[Anonymous]

Leave. No one needs to pay for this drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What school is this that parents are like this in K?

I can think of half a dozen off the top of my head.