How do I file a complaint against a private school?

[Anonymous]

I see you’ve spoken to the teacher. I would now email whoever is in charge of discipline. For us it’s the VP. What did the teacher do? If you’re not naming the school I think it’s fine to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

Good luck, OP. But keep in mind this isn't a public school and there aren't ombusdman and channels to appeal to. First, talk to the teacher.

Yes, I agree that this is not like a public school. The process seems unclear to me. I did talk to the teacher and she flat out told me what she did to my child…which was absolutely unacceptable, inappropriate and mind boggling. My first thought is that the school will defend her so that is why I was looking to find external resources to file a complaint.

You will be surprised - admin is usually more responsive than you would think, at least at our private. Go to the Principal. If you don't get want you need, take it to the Head.

Agree. I would email the principal and explain the situation, and ask for a meeting. Do not frame this as "Teacher X did this to my kid" but rather, "Larlo did ABC, and Ms. Teacher did XYZ, which was confirmed when we spoke. I'd like to meet to disucss the school's policy on XYZ, and gain a better understanding for how you view ABC, to help Larlo succeed at St. Meany's academy."

100% this. No color commentary, no blathering about feelings. Just the facts. Let them see it in black and white.

[Anonymous]

Yes.
Step 1: Talk to Teacher, if not resolved
Step 2: Talk to the Division Head (e.g., lower school head/upper school head), if not resolved, you can talk to
Step 3: head of school.

My sense is that if step 2 is unsatisfactory, step 3 might be as well. I think the most scope for resolution between steps 1 and 2.

[Anonymous]

My son had a terrible elementary school teacher. Didn’t realize the extent of her behavior until the school year was over and my son and several of his friends admitted that she was mean and repeatedly singled out and yelled at the boys in the classroom. On the last day of school when I was saying goodbye and thanks for a good year she made a rude comment to me. I now wish I had reported her, but we were moving to another school and decided to let it go at the time. It still bugs me.

[Anonymous]

When something similar happened to my kid with a coach/teacher, I emailed the head coach and cc’d the dean of students, son’s adviser and the HOS. It was resolved to me and my son’s satisfaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

Good luck, OP. But keep in mind this isn't a public school and there aren't ombusdman and channels to appeal to. First, talk to the teacher.

Yes, I agree that this is not like a public school. The process seems unclear to me. I did talk to the teacher and she flat out told me what she did to my child…which was absolutely unacceptable, inappropriate and mind boggling. My first thought is that the school will defend her so that is why I was looking to find external resources to file a complaint.

There is no external place to file complaint. You need to consider talking to a lawyer to consider whether any possible civil liability and then go to HOS.

Depends on which state OP’s school is in and what the complaint is about. If it’s about lack of reporting sexual abuse or assault then it’s jail time, fine, and/or loss of teaching license.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

I would email their boss. Ask to set up a meeting and speak about it in person without the teacher present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

I would email their boss. Ask to set up a meeting and speak about it in person without the teacher present.

Does this work in any industry? The first thing the administrator will ask is if you’ve spoken to the teacher directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

I would email their boss. Ask to set up a meeting and speak about it in person without the teacher present.

Does this work in any industry? The first thing the administrator will ask is if you’ve spoken to the teacher directly.

It may work like that prior to COVID but now people email. I am the pp who emailed the Dean of students and cc’d everyone else. There is no way I can ever speak to the coach/teacher in question in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

Good luck, OP. But keep in mind this isn't a public school and there aren't ombusdman and channels to appeal to. First, talk to the teacher.

Yes, I agree that this is not like a public school. The process seems unclear to me. I did talk to the teacher and she flat out told me what she did to my child…which was absolutely unacceptable, inappropriate and mind boggling. My first thought is that the school will defend her so that is why I was looking to find external resources to file a complaint.

You will be surprised - admin is usually more responsive than you would think, at least at our private. Go to the Principal. If you don't get want you need, take it to the Head.

Agree. I would email the principal and explain the situation, and ask for a meeting. Do not frame this as "Teacher X did this to my kid" but rather, "Larlo did ABC, and Ms. Teacher did XYZ, which was confirmed when we spoke. I'd like to meet to disucss the school's policy on XYZ, and gain a better understanding for how you view ABC, to help Larlo succeed at St. Meany's academy."

This is EXCELLENT advice OP. As a parent whose kids are private school lifers at top DMV privates, this is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Really diplomatic. Administration should accurately read between the politely-phrased lines, and if good, will address it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

Good luck, OP. But keep in mind this isn't a public school and there aren't ombusdman and channels to appeal to. First, talk to the teacher.

Yes, I agree that this is not like a public school. The process seems unclear to me. I did talk to the teacher and she flat out told me what she did to my child…which was absolutely unacceptable, inappropriate and mind boggling. My first thought is that the school will defend her so that is why I was looking to find external resources to file a complaint.

You will be surprised - admin is usually more responsive than you would think, at least at our private. Go to the Principal. If you don't get want you need, take it to the Head.

Agree. I would email the principal and explain the situation, and ask for a meeting. Do not frame this as "Teacher X did this to my kid" but rather, "Larlo did ABC, and Ms. Teacher did XYZ, which was confirmed when we spoke. I'd like to meet to disucss the school's policy on XYZ, and gain a better understanding for how you view ABC, to help Larlo succeed at St. Meany's academy."

This is EXCELLENT advice OP. As a parent whose kids are private school lifers at top DMV privates, this is the way to go.

Op here. Great advice. Thank you! I’m going to use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

Good luck, OP. But keep in mind this isn't a public school and there aren't ombusdman and channels to appeal to. First, talk to the teacher.

Yes, I agree that this is not like a public school. The process seems unclear to me. I did talk to the teacher and she flat out told me what she did to my child…which was absolutely unacceptable, inappropriate and mind boggling. My first thought is that the school will defend her so that is why I was looking to find external resources to file a complaint.

You will be surprised - admin is usually more responsive than you would think, at least at our private. Go to the Principal. If you don't get want you need, take it to the Head.

Agree. I would email the principal and explain the situation, and ask for a meeting. Do not frame this as "Teacher X did this to my kid" but rather, "Larlo did ABC, and Ms. Teacher did XYZ, which was confirmed when we spoke. I'd like to meet to disucss the school's policy on XYZ, and gain a better understanding for how you view ABC, to help Larlo succeed at St. Meany's academy."

This is EXCELLENT advice OP. As a parent whose kids are private school lifers at top DMV privates, this is the way to go.

Op here. Great advice. Thank you! I’m going to use it.

Sorry your kid is upset.

You might want to think about an outcome that YOU feel is acceptable before you meet.
Do you wish that they could provide more training on ____, or do you think the teacher should apologize in front of the class or in private to your child? Do you wish the handbook included something on ____ and you advocate for that? Do you wish the teacher had more support/guidance around (behavior, grading, inclusion, religious differences, sexism....).

Having an ask may help you to stay on topic during the this conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all! It is not a criminal complaint. A teacher treated my child very unfairly, and I consider the incident a form of bullying from the teacher.

Good luck, OP. But keep in mind this isn't a public school and there aren't ombusdman and channels to appeal to. First, talk to the teacher.

Yes, I agree that this is not like a public school. The process seems unclear to me. I did talk to the teacher and she flat out told me what she did to my child…which was absolutely unacceptable, inappropriate and mind boggling. My first thought is that the school will defend her so that is why I was looking to find external resources to file a complaint.

There is no external place to file complaint. You need to consider talking to a lawyer to consider whether any possible civil liability and then go to HOS.

If it's bad enough, social media posts naming names are effectively a complaint.

This is some pretty bad advice. Clearly you are NOT a lawyer!

[Anonymous]

If it's a private school OP, what can you do beyond the school except call the police if it was physical abuse.

You might be able to threaten to report the behavior to their accrediting organization, if they have one.