Signed contract and now don’t think it’s right fit

[Anonymous]

I am screwed. We don’t think school is now the right fit as recent changes in our child since we accepted back in May. Tuition is $15k so could be worse but we paid and now just wish we hadn’t accepted. No insurance option. Ughh. This is for MS

[Anonymous]

Can they really make you pay? Even if they have a waitlist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can they really make you pay? Even if they have a waitlist?

Yes, they can. OP- if recent changes are a diagnosis of some sort that requires support/accommodations the school doesn't offer (or if it's a school this is explicitly anti-lgbtq+and your child has just come out to you), you can call the school, explain and appeal to them as to why you don't think their program is the right fit anymore and see if you can convince them to let you out without requiring you to pay. More than likely they'll say no, but under the right circumstances and with the right Head of School, you might get lucky. If not, consider the 15K gone and send your child elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Why do you now think school is not a good fit? If it’s a medical or learning diagnosis and you have supporting documentation, you might have a chance getting some of the tuition back, but don’t hold your breath. If you’ve learned things about the school that make you realize it’s not a good match, chalk it up as an expensive mistake and move on.

[Anonymous]

Too much emphasis is placed on fit. Encourage your kid to do the best he or she can.

[Anonymous]

Are the changes gender or sexuality related and you chose a single sex or religious school? If so, know that all schools have kids in this position, and even the ones you'd be surprised about (due to general misconceptions out there) are usually supportive. Talk to the school. If it isn't going to work, they will probably let you out of the contract.

If the change is a new diagnosis of an LD or ADHD, same as above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too much emphasis is placed on fit. Encourage your kid to do the best he or she can.

Totally agree with this. Kids are more flexible than we give them credit for--try it out and see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

With the crazy wait lists and demands there is no legal reason to enforce the contract. If they can't fill the spot then maybe they can go after you. A good lawyer can write a letter to the school explaining the laws in your state. Typical rules

- A full refund of tuition if the student withdraws before the start of the school year or term.
- A partial refund (e.g. 50-75% of remaining tuition) if the student withdraws within the first few weeks of the school year or term.
- No refund for tuition if the student withdraws after a certain cutoff date, such as 4-6 weeks into the school year or term.

[Anonymous]

You should at least talk to the school.

[Anonymous]

Talk to the school.

Most don’t like to fight about anything. If they can fill the spot from the waitlist or recent applicants, they really don’t care.

Additionally, they’d probably not be interested in parents who were going to be long term problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the crazy wait lists and demands there is no legal reason to enforce the contract. If they can't fill the spot then maybe they can go after you. A good lawyer can write a letter to the school explaining the laws in your state. Typical rules

- A full refund of tuition if the student withdraws before the start of the school year or term.
- A partial refund (e.g. 50-75% of remaining tuition) if the student withdraws within the first few weeks of the school year or term.
- No refund for tuition if the student withdraws after a certain cutoff date, such as 4-6 weeks into the school year or term.

Not every school has a waitlist. Also where did you get these "typical rules" from?? Most enrollment contracts are pretty tight and absent tuition insurance the school can go after you for the money and will most likely win. Appealing to the school with your rationale and hoping they will let you out is the best play. If the reason is sound and with documentation (diagnosis school can't serve well, major unexpected family life change, etc), many Head's will have a heart. If you start with a lawyer, you're going to get their back up and hear back from their lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too much emphasis is placed on fit. Encourage your kid to do the best he or she can.

+1
Most of the world just goes to the school they are zoned for. And yet somehow they manage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too much emphasis is placed on fit. Encourage your kid to do the best he or she can.

+1
Most of the world just goes to the school they are zoned for. And yet somehow they manage.

Not everyone manages well in public schools, but many are stuck there anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too much emphasis is placed on fit. Encourage your kid to do the best he or she can.

+1
Most of the world just goes to the school they are zoned for. And yet somehow they manage.

Learning to fit in and coping when it's difficult are extremely valuable lessons.

Your parents aren't always going to be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too much emphasis is placed on fit. Encourage your kid to do the best he or she can.

+1
Most of the world just goes to the school they are zoned for. And yet somehow they manage.

Not everyone manages well in public schools, but many are stuck there anyway.

I don't think OP's faced with the dichotomy you're implicitly setting up here. Of course, some public schools are total failures. Some are truly unsafe. That's not what's being discussed.

This school may not be the best fit for OP's kid, as it turns out. That will probably be ok, even for one year. Even for more than one year.