SSFS Closing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been waiting for this to happen since I heard SSFS was struggling to bring in students from China. There was no way to replace that revenue.

This news makes me sad even though I'm not surprised. SSFS has been a wonderful school. The faculty and administration are serious about intellectual vigor and serious about morality. When it comes to Quaker values, they don't just talk the talk. They walk the walk, consistently, unlike another Quaker school in the area. (I have experience with both SFS and SSFS.)

Private schools are very expensive to run. This type of thing is going to happen more and more at schools that don't attract very wealthy students and donors. Same for liberal arts colleges.

Why were they struggling to bring in kids from China?

100,000 foreign students have decided to not continue their studies here. Not sure anyone would want to start now.

Especially seeing how some of the college students are being deported

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those in K-8, you should reach out to the Sheridans, Lowells, Norwoods, St. Pats, etc. to see whether they might have openings.

Also St John's Episcopal in that area for Pk-8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it really was they didn’t meet the numbers they needed for re-enrollment then why wouldn’t they do a last ditch call for donations from the whole extended school community? Why not even try, if it was a matter of 20 students tuition?

The FAQ said it was 14 to 16 million dollars in debt. 20 more students would not make up that deficit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it really was they didn’t meet the numbers they needed for re-enrollment then why wouldn’t they do a last ditch call for donations from the whole extended school community? Why not even try, if it was a matter of 20 students tuition?

The FAQ said it was 14 to 16 million dollars in debt. 20 more students would not make up that deficit

But they really only needed enough money to service the loans. Unless a balloon payment was due and they couldn’t do a refinance.

I find it hard to imagine that 60 years of alums and family’s wouldn’t have pulled together enough donations to buy them another year or two.

It’s really sad.

We looked at it for K and then again for high school.

It wasn’t the right fit but I know so many people there who love it.

[Anonymous]

It has been a lovely, special community. I am so mad that is has been destroyed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been waiting for this to happen since I heard SSFS was struggling to bring in students from China. There was no way to replace that revenue.

This news makes me sad even though I'm not surprised. SSFS has been a wonderful school. The faculty and administration are serious about intellectual vigor and serious about morality. When it comes to Quaker values, they don't just talk the talk. They walk the walk, consistently, unlike another Quaker school in the area. (I have experience with both SFS and SSFS.)

Private schools are very expensive to run. This type of thing is going to happen more and more at schools that don't attract very wealthy students and donors. Same for liberal arts colleges.

Why were they struggling to bring in kids from China?

Because years ago they pushed out the head of the intl program who did a great job.
SSFS forgot who they were and their mission. The pushed out the Quaker old guard and lost what was special and unique. I’m not Quaker but it was a special place.

Who was the head of the international program? I thought that person left that position to become one of the school division heads.

[Anonymous]

We were a very active SSFS family for many years. We thought they handled the pandemic pretty well for our family's needs. But in 2022-2023, when they decided to raise tuition 16%, set earlier than normal committal dates, and outright refused (after many of us penned a letter to the HoS) to compromise if families decided to attend other schools, we knew something was wrong at the school's core and we ran. We feel so bad for the families who stayed, faculty, and staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private school admissions in the area are working RIGHT now trying to help. I just emailed 4 schools and they all responded in minutes.

I suspect the school may have given them a heads up in an effort to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it really was they didn’t meet the numbers they needed for re-enrollment then why wouldn’t they do a last ditch call for donations from the whole extended school community? Why not even try, if it was a matter of 20 students tuition?

The FAQ said it was 14 to 16 million dollars in debt. 20 more students would not make up that deficit

With an amount that large, it also means the board was aware of this for some time and would have/should have known that they weren't going to be able to fund things. But maybe, as the announcement said, they were trying to secure additional financing or a merger. My heart goes out to the affected kids and their families. I hope you all find a good place to land.

[Anonymous]

Such a cavalier email and FAQs for this level of severity. My God, even ChatGPT could have pulled together a more compassionate announcement. My heart goes out to current families, faculty, and staff. We left a few years ago b/c we saw the signs; however my child aways felt seen by faculty and staff.

[Anonymous]

Did SSFS take a PPP loan? If not, maybe they should have.

[Anonymous]

This is such sad news. We know families in the SSFS HS and it breaks my heart they are all suddenly withought a HS for next years’ school year Also sad that wonderful slimmer camo won’t run this summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it really was they didn’t meet the numbers they needed for re-enrollment then why wouldn’t they do a last ditch call for donations from the whole extended school community? Why not even try, if it was a matter of 20 students tuition?

The FAQ said it was 14 to 16 million dollars in debt. 20 more students would not make up that deficit

With an amount that large, it also means the board was aware of this for some time and would have/should have known that they weren't going to be able to fund things. But maybe, as the announcement said, they were trying to secure additional financing or a merger. My heart goes out to the affected kids and their families. I hope you all find a good place to land.

Whittle was in a similar situation a couple years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those in K-8, you should reach out to the Sheridans, Lowells, Norwoods, St. Pats, etc. to see whether they might have openings.

If near the College Park area, Holy Redeemer College Park has openings Pre K - 8th and been excellent for my child at a fraction of the price of other local private schools.

[Anonymous]

I just feel horrible for the students and the faculty. The teachers must really be in a difficult situation and I hope that many of them were already making plans to leave after they let go of several teachers last May/June after they decided that they were were having enrollment issues.