Getting out of contract?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any experience in getting out of the $25K contract you signed for your child's school? If so, how and what school?

[Anonymous]

I don't have experience, but it might make a difference if they can find a replacement family, and the reason you want out. They would be hard pressed to chase you around for money if their wait list is forever, or of there has been a SERIOUS family crisis. They don't want too much negative publicity.

[Anonymous]

There is no way to get all your money back. The best you can do is 60% but only after your child attends 14 calandar days in September (assuming you signed up for tuition insurance).

[Anonymous]

That can't be true for EVERY school.

What school contract do you need to get out of?

[Anonymous]

Agree w/ pp. Make sure the story is good, and see if they can find a replacement.

[Anonymous]

They don't need to let you out if even if they can turn to their waitlist. It would set a bad precedent, even for schools like GDS, Maret, Beauvoir, or Sidwell.

http://www.aisgw.org/news/detail.asp?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=659&ModuleID=156

[Anonymous]

I think actually the Barrie school is among the most restrictive however (partly because they know they need to "lock in" students who have other first choice schools). I'm not sure if the same applies to GDS, Beauvoir, etc.

[Anonymous]

I read the Barrie case and I agree with every word that the judge said. A contract is a contract and parents should be made to live up to their commitments. If parents were allowed to walk away without penalty after signing a contract then it would make an otherwise crazy process even more so. If a parent is not sure that they want to send their child to a school then do not sign the contract.

[Anonymous]

It depends on your reasons for wanting to get out of the contract. It may be a contract but it does not mean no matter how your child is treated, no matter what the circumstances, your child must stay or you pay. There are some deal breakers. If you have already moved your child, I would suggest contacting an attorney and discussing the circumstances.

...and regarding the PP..it is quite possible that you believe with all of your heart, knowledge and soul that you want your child in a particular school...but that circumstances can arise that change your mind, ie the teacher changes, etc. We are all doing the best we can with the information that we have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on your reasons for wanting to get out of the contract. It may be a contract but it does not mean no matter how your child is treated, no matter what the circumstances, your child must stay or you pay. There are some deal breakers. If you have already moved your child, I would suggest contacting an attorney and discussing the circumstances.

...and regarding the PP..it is quite possible that you believe with all of your heart, knowledge and soul that you want your child in a particular school...but that circumstances can arise that change your mind, ie the teacher changes, etc. We are all doing the best we can with the information that we have.

PP here, I am not saying that you should force to attend the school if you change your mind, just that you should be expect to pay whatever penalty you agreed to when you signed the contract. Also, lets bear in mind that we are not talking about a life or death situation here. Worse case for the parent who cannot afford to pay the liquidated damages is that there child will be in a school that is not ideal (for whatever reason) for a nine month period. BTW, I highly reccomend tuition insurance.

[Anonymous]

Most schools will try to fill the space if you contact them and explain your situation. However, even the most sought after schools have trouble filling slots in July and August because the families on the wait list have already committed elsewhere and could be held accountable for two separate tuitions bills.

It's not in the best interest of the school to try to enforce the contract, but they have no choice if it's late July or August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on your reasons for wanting to get out of the contract. It may be a contract but it does not mean no matter how your child is treated, no matter what the circumstances, your child must stay or you pay. There are some deal breakers. If you have already moved your child, I would suggest contacting an attorney and discussing the circumstances.

.[/quot

OP, clearly I have not read your contract, but as a lawyer, I would not put too much stock in this advice. Please do not assume that having a claim against the school means that you do not have to honor your contract. Unless the terms of the contract say otherwise legal claims are not netted against each other.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP, but I think 13:33 might have been suggesting something else--e.g., if you have serious, well-founded claims against the school that might lead you to take legal action, you might be able to reach a settlement with the help of an attorney.

Not sure this is the type of situation OP is referring to, though. I took it to be a simpler case of buyer's remorse or a change of heart, in which case I think you have little recourse--but it doesn't hurt to ask the school.

[Anonymous]

Related article from the Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/nyregion/23bigcity.html?ex=1212206400&en=f0f4efde7f12f480&ei=5070&emc=eta1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any experience in getting out of the $25K contract you signed for your child\'s school? If so, how and what school?

Are you getting out of your Beauvoir contract?