SSFS HOS leaving

[Anonymous]

It’s too much for us. It may be a good move in the long run but the credibility and prestige of the school has taken such a hit over the past year that we are applying-out. We can’t gamble with our son’s education or future educational options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s too much for us. It may be a good move in the long run but the credibility and prestige of the school has taken such a hit over the past year that we are applying-out. We can’t gamble with our son’s education or future educational options.

Same. The new HOS would have to be exceptional for us to even consider staying.

[Anonymous]

This is so frustrating to watch. Better planning and a communication strategy could have enabled a more seamless transition from the HOS that built trust/confidence in the community. Our DC is having a great year in US, but with many friends applying out, it is going to make it difficult to stay. I feel bad for the teachers. There is not a great deal of confidence in the Board. Going to wait and see what happens with new HOS - a great new head could help change the trajectory and outlook.

[Anonymous]

The teachers are wonderful! Our kid is having a wonderful year as well. However, not naming a HOS or potential HOS at this time doesn’t seem like the best choice.

[Anonymous]

A lot of Chicken Little's on this forum. SSFS is showing many signs of a good turn around after RG disaster. I'm a pleased parent!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of Chicken Little's on this forum. SSFS is showing many signs of a good turn around after RG disaster. I'm a pleased parent!

I don’t think it’s a chicken little situation. Some people had and continue to have a good experience. Seems like you’re one of them and you are fortunate. But those who had a bad experience are not making it up either, they actually had a bad experience. No reason to belittle them.

[Anonymous]

You can’t tell how many people are actually weighing in on these concerns. It may be just one or two negative posters at this point, trying to make it seem like many people are leaving. We are still pleased. PAC repairs in full swing; LS renovation happening over break; a successful day of giving. New HOS candidates introduced next month.

[Anonymous]

Which firm did bring Rodney in? Does anyone recall? Hopefully not RG175 who is doing the current search. Unfortunate initials there…

[Anonymous]

I think Rodney brought himself in. He was there initially with the DEI initiative. And then the HOS position became open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can’t tell how many people are actually weighing in on these concerns. It may be just one or two negative posters at this point, trying to make it seem like many people are leaving. We are still pleased. PAC repairs in full swing; LS renovation happening over break; a successful day of giving. New HOS candidates introduced next month.

This forum doesn’t exist because a couple of parents are disgruntled. The school has real problems caused by a variety of factors and the jury is still out on whether things will get fixed at some point.

Will everyone leave the school next year? Of course not. However the student count went from ~697 in 23-24 to ~615 in 24-25. That’s a huge drop. People weren’t imagining things. I doubt that many ppl will leave next year again cause too many have left already. So yeah I agree not “many ppl are leaving” cause they’re already gone.

But again maybe miraculously the school will attract god candidates and not just ppl desperate for a job and here is one. As an administrator I don’t see how coming into a mess wouldn’t be unappealing to really strong candidates. But yeah, I hope they hire someone decent. Clearly RG sets a really low bar so no doubt anyone will be better than what we had last 4 years. But then how long till things are actually good - not just not terrible, remains to be seen.

[Anonymous]

Quakers are mindful, empathetic, and avoidant of conflict. We are who we are. If you want savvy and cut throat then go to GTown Prep or Landon, etc.

SSFS is doing a tremendous job recovering from the slow burn impact of COVID and RG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quakers are mindful, empathetic, and avoidant of conflict. We are who we are. If you want savvy and cut throat then go to GTown Prep or Landon, etc.

SSFS is doing a tremendous job recovering from the slow burn impact of COVID and RG.

I don’t think anyone wants cut throat. But at least identifying such toxic ppl and keeping them out seems like a good skill to have.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. Empathy and mindfulness are important. But so is recognizing toxicity and setting appropriate boundaries. Maybe being avoidant and the inability to confidently address conflict appropriately is an issue. How can you let your light shine if your voice is avoided?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can’t tell how many people are actually weighing in on these concerns. It may be just one or two negative posters at this point, trying to make it seem like many people are leaving. We are still pleased. PAC repairs in full swing; LS renovation happening over break; a successful day of giving. New HOS candidates introduced next month.

This forum doesn’t exist because a couple of parents are disgruntled. The school has real problems caused by a variety of factors and the jury is still out on whether things will get fixed at some point.

Will everyone leave the school next year? Of course not. However the student count went from ~697 in 23-24 to ~615 in 24-25. That’s a huge drop. People weren’t imagining things. I doubt that many ppl will leave next year again cause too many have left already. So yeah I agree not “many ppl are leaving” cause they’re already gone.

But again maybe miraculously the school will attract god candidates and not just ppl desperate for a job and here is one. As an administrator I don’t see how coming into a mess wouldn’t be unappealing to really strong candidates. But yeah, I hope they hire someone decent. Clearly RG sets a really low bar so no doubt anyone will be better than what we had last 4 years. But then how long till things are actually good - not just not terrible, remains to be seen.

Assuming most of those 80 students are full tuition that would be around 3 million in lost tuition. That's a lot of lost revenue. I hope they are able to keep tuition at a reasonable level, it's one of the appeals of the school compared to others that are much higher.

[Anonymous]

We're having trouble viewing tuition as at a reasonable level. How is SSFS comparable to others with similar tuition, even those with lower tuition? I love the beautiful campus and teachers are fantastic, but they seem overextended with barebones support and operations. And, being manipulated and gaslit that everything else is a great deal when its barely adequate is becoming more unappetizing.