Let's Brainstorm Schools That Might Still Be Accepting Students
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Anonymous
Yes. That’s correct. |
Anonymous
| Check Grace Episcopal in Kensington. They have a sliding scale for tuition based on income |
Anonymous
| Also McLean school |
Anonymous
I encourage everyone to do their due diligence as well. Private schools are often non-profits (though not all of them are, steer clear of the for profit ones). If they are a non-profit and granted 501(c)(3) status they’re required to publicly file a Form 990. You can search each private school on ProPublica. SSFS does not have a publicly available form 990, as most religious institutions do not. So the financial situation was able to fly under the radar for so long. Some schools, as you will see, will operate on small losses, which is normal. Or on small margins. But the SSFS was incredibly mismanaged, as we all now know. There’s no excuse; grossly mismanaged. From what I can see in the publicly filed 990s, I don’t see other schools listed here like that at all. Non-religious private schools are far more transparent, they’re required to be. They have state of the school meetings, the whole school is part of the corporation, the community understands the health of the school. If you’re interested in a private school listed here, feel free to tour and ask these questions, you will get honest answers as the school is required to be honest. Reach out to friends or community members of that school, and you’ll hear the same thing. It’s very different at non-religious schools. There’s a certain amount of fear mongering here about the health of private schools (especially when people are listing specific schools), and given the news, I understand, but do some homework before casting accusations. I feel for the families of SSFS and I hope you all land on your feet at schools that are warm and welcoming. |
Anonymous
Your last sentence is misleading. Some schools have a mission of providing aid and can afford to do so, and in fact specifically fundraise for this purpose. It isn't a discount to attract; it's a philosophy of education. |
Anonymous
| Barrie school has an open house next Thursday and is still accepting applications. https://www.barrie.org/admission/welcome. |
Anonymous
Barrie is right down the street from SSFS and is intentional about honoring who every child is. I think you'll be surprised with how good a fit this is. |
Anonymous
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I posted this in the other thread and adding it here. They are likely full but I recommend calling Good Counsel. Before you protest, every year SSFS 8th graders apply to GC because it better matches their needs for high school. This was the case for my daughter and her SSFS classmates and they were very happy. |
Anonymous
The Barrie School (birth-12) fits in this category as well. I can attest to the other three as positive too. |
Anonymous
My daughter was forced to change schools at the end of her junior year (long story) and chose Barrie. It has been a few years, but the classes were so small and welcoming that she got up and spoke at commencement (apparently their tradition is that every graduating senior speaks). It was just an unbelievable way to finish her high school career. |
Anonymous
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The other issue facing all schools is this:
The current tuition levels are becoming unsustainable for many. I hear some say, “Oh, yes, but people said that 20 years ago and nothing happened.” The fact is that tuition rates of schools increase by close to 50 percent every 10 years if you assume 4 percent annual increase in tuition. With current tuition rates, fewer people can afford K-12 throughout. So what tends to happen is that the top K-12s might still have their pick if students, other schools like the k-8s might have to fight a bit harder for the overall smaller pool of kids. And the high costs also mean that some families will simply defer private school until high school to reduce the outlay. This again points to weaker demand across the board in the K8 range. This is a cliff schools need to anticipate. Doge will also have spillover effects on the DC economy and will permeate sector across the board that could also see not just those in government questioning whether they can continue to afford private school. Some private schools also developed a false sense of security as demand for school outpaced available slots during Covid because public schools did such a poor job. While some kids stayed in the private schools system, a large number have also returned to public schools. Schools that continue on this path of unabated increases could hit a wall and should ensure they have robust reserves and/or stand ready to cut costs. But the bottom line is the board should have seen this train wreck coming and should have taken measures several years and years ago — whether it was via the annual fund and other donor outreach or finding ways to reduce expenditures, renegotiate with creditors, etc. This should be a cautionary tale for any school on shaky financial ground or thinking about undertaking big expenditures. |
Anonymous
I’ve heard the LAB has been great for middle and upper school gender non-conforming students. |
Anonymous
| Waldorf School in Bethesda too! |
Anonymous
Nora is another school that I have heard is welcoming of gender non-confirming kids. |
Anonymous
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McLean parent - plugging us if your child was at SSFS and receiving some academic support/accomodations/tutoring. We came from a more traditional independent school in grade 9 and now as a junior, my daughter is thriving. She's involved in clubs, sports, taking AP classes, and no longer feels stigmatized for having extended time, and freely asks for the support she needs to be successful.
I'm so sorry folks are going through this. It's just heartbreaking. |