how to report a formal complaint about a private school?

[Anonymous]

is there a board of trustees or something for privates where you can file a formal complaint?

[Anonymous]

A complaint about what? If it's about a staff or faculty member, yes, probably the board.

If it's about the school itself, no one cares. Just don't attend.

[Anonymous]

If you’re already part of the school community, expect very little unless you go by the formal chain of command. Teacher, head of lower school, head of school, Board of Trustees. Do not be the person who goes straight to the Board unless it’s a complaint about the HOS. Boards employ the HOS and are responsible for the long-term financial and strategic management of a school. HOS is responsible for day-to-day operations. For more information, you may want to see what accrediting body your school is accredited by, and they will have specific recommendations for how their member schools handle complaints. If it’s a criminal issue, you go to the police.

If you’re not part of the school community, it would depend on your complaint. Parents blocking a neighbors’ driveway? Email to HOS. Construction violation? Go to the city. Just don’t like the school? Then you vent here or to friends like everyone else.

[Anonymous]

There is likely a complaint/grievance process. It may start with admin staff and then go to the board. Check your school handbook.

What kind of issue and what channels, if any, have you already pursued?

[Anonymous]

For what? If it's something criminal, the police. If not, no one cares

[Anonymous]

bullying and threats made by a member of the administration.
-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:bullying and threats made by a member of the administration.
-OP

The head of school supervises other administrators. Start there.

[Anonymous]

What kind of threats and to whom?

If it's general a-hole behavior toward a parent or another adult, then you go to that person's boss. If you are worried about your physical safety, then go to the police.

If this is a disciplinary issue with a student, then the school probably has a formal grievance procedure. Consult the handbook.

[Anonymous]

Go to channel 7

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:bullying and threats made by a member of the administration.
-OP

Why don't you have a sit down with them first to sort things out, or at least try, before calling the manager?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to channel 7

what??

[Anonymous]

If it’s criminal, report to the police. Health violations should go to the health department. Different states have different regulations (or lack thereof) for independent schools. In MD you can try complaining to AIMS but it’s likely your school’s leadership is also a leader in AIMS. They always support their own. You can try contacting the Maryland Nonpublic school approval specialist, Karen Gardner, but she will just pass it off to one of her underlings and then when they visit the school to investigate they will believe all the BS the school admin tells them.

You should contact the local news outlets if you really want answers. You can contact them anonymously. I called news 7 in April and they respected my anonymity. I called in response to what I thought was false reporting. They told me exactly the source from the school of what I was calling about.

[Anonymous]

I would start with the Principal or Head of School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s criminal, report to the police. Health violations should go to the health department. Different states have different regulations (or lack thereof) for independent schools. In MD you can try complaining to AIMS but it’s likely your school’s leadership is also a leader in AIMS. They always support their own. You can try contacting the Maryland Nonpublic school approval specialist, Karen Gardner, but she will just pass it off to one of her underlings and then when they visit the school to investigate they will believe all the BS the school admin tells them.

You should contact the local news outlets if you really want answers. You can contact them anonymously. I called news 7 in April and they respected my anonymity. I called in response to what I thought was false reporting. They told me exactly the source from the school of what I was calling about.

This is just silly.

[Anonymous]

I would bring documentation or notes about what occurred to your meeting with the HOS, of if it is the HOS who is doing the offensive behavior, two board members. I would have more than two people in the room for the meeting so that the school can't misrepresent what your meeting was about to others.