Sidwell to increase tuition a WHOPPING 6.7%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what it’s like to live your life having an unhinged and unhealthy grudge against a school you voluntarily pay for your children to attend?

If you don’t like tuition costs, diversity, or the curriculum did the read the website before you applied? Basic due diligence would have determined that Sidwell probably isn’t the school for you.

But it’s not the end of the world! Don’t fall for sunk cost fallacy. There tons of schools that you could potentially transfer your kid to that could be a better fit.

If you’re unhappy with your circumstances, you can change them and the added bonus is that I’m sure there’s a kid and a family that would be absolutely thrilled to take your place. Everyone wins.

Yes, this exactly. Threads like this baffle me. The increases aren’t “unconscionable.” The curriculum isn’t deteriorating.

But if you think it is, there are a lot (A LOT!) of other schools. Attending any one private school is not a requirement in your life. And that’s the beauty of being the “consumer” in this case. You can quite literally take your money elsewhere.

I’m the “unconscionable” poster. Those that say to ‘just find another school’ are offering a complete red herring. My kids are in MS/US and are flourishing. We love the school, think the teachers are fantastic and very much appreciate the community of parents. However, a tuition hike of this amount really is over the top, especially with a lack of information as to why the increase is so large. It’s not a little thing to pull your teenager out of an environment that is working for them to move school. The administration knows that the vast majority of parents won’t pull their kids, but will suck it up and pay the increase. That’s what makes me angry.

I'm glad your kids are thriving - hopefully, that includes being taught a correct understanding of the term "red herring," and then they can explain it to you.

Suggesting that you leave isn't a misdirection, it is literally the only thing you can do to avoid the tuition increase. You can decide it's an unpalatable option, and it's best for your kids to stay. That's fine. But if you are paying for a service, and the price increases to what you think is an unreasonable level, you either find another srevice provider, no matter how much you like your current one, or suck it up.

Oh, and feel free to whine impotently on anonymous message boards. That's always an option. As an aside, why do you think thy owe you an explanation? When the price of your new Land Rover (I'm just guessing, but it's a pretty safe bet) goes up $5000, do you grill the dealership about the reasons?

NP here. Of course the board and the school admin owe parents an explanation about where their tuition dollars are going and why increases are necessary. That’s a basic principle of school leadership and stewardship. The board is entrusted with leading the school. And in return, it is incumbent on any board to show that that trust is deserved, and that the board is properly discharging its fiduciary obligations.

[Anonymous]

Look, 6.7% may seem like a lot, but it's absolutely worth it to know your child is in a top-tier school with good kids, from good families, and are making important contacts for their futures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't know how many Sidwell parents on this forum have or know senior students. Class of 2022 is one of the strongest but ED/EA results seem very poor this year. Most of us send our kids to SFS for quality education. Sooner or later your kids will be a senior. Parents should express our real concern and interests while paying increasing tuitions.

I don't see where the current senior class is having a poor year with colleges. Something like 25-30% got into their ED's. A bunch of kids have had positive results on EA's and ED2's are coming out over the next few weeks. It is pretty much on par with peer schools and previous years results.

-parent of a senior

But not for ordinary students especially EA/ED top 20/LAC

What is the admit rate so far for SFS seniors? What is the admit rate nationally for these schools? Compare the two numbers and you wlil see how well the current senior class is doing. Do you really expect most of the grade to have been admitted ED? It doesn't work like that.

+1 People are acting like not getting in ED is some mark of failure, but that was never intended to be used for most students -- so people are surprised with tens of thousands of students get deferred to RD where they should have applied in the first place.

Many SFS seniors got rejected (not deferred) from their ED school.

and?

Life happens. Do you expect that all seniors from one particular school will have 100% acceptances or deferrals in an environment that under 5% admissions is the norm?

No. I expect that all seniors from one particular school will get good advice and support from the college counseling office. Which is not the case at Sidwell, as demonstrated by the comments here from parents of seniors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what it’s like to live your life having an unhinged and unhealthy grudge against a school you voluntarily pay for your children to attend?

If you don’t like tuition costs, diversity, or the curriculum did the read the website before you applied? Basic due diligence would have determined that Sidwell probably isn’t the school for you.

But it’s not the end of the world! Don’t fall for sunk cost fallacy. There tons of schools that you could potentially transfer your kid to that could be a better fit.

If you’re unhappy with your circumstances, you can change them and the added bonus is that I’m sure there’s a kid and a family that would be absolutely thrilled to take your place. Everyone wins.

Yes, this exactly. Threads like this baffle me. The increases aren’t “unconscionable.” The curriculum isn’t deteriorating.

But if you think it is, there are a lot (A LOT!) of other schools. Attending any one private school is not a requirement in your life. And that’s the beauty of being the “consumer” in this case. You can quite literally take your money elsewhere.

I’m the “unconscionable” poster. Those that say to ‘just find another school’ are offering a complete red herring. My kids are in MS/US and are flourishing. We love the school, think the teachers are fantastic and very much appreciate the community of parents. However, a tuition hike of this amount really is over the top, especially with a lack of information as to why the increase is so large. It’s not a little thing to pull your teenager out of an environment that is working for them to move school. The administration knows that the vast majority of parents won’t pull their kids, but will suck it up and pay the increase. That’s what makes me angry.

I'm glad your kids are thriving - hopefully, that includes being taught a correct understanding of the term "red herring," and then they can explain it to you.

Suggesting that you leave isn't a misdirection, it is literally the only thing you can do to avoid the tuition increase. You can decide it's an unpalatable option, and it's best for your kids to stay. That's fine. But if you are paying for a service, and the price increases to what you think is an unreasonable level, you either find another srevice provider, no matter how much you like your current one, or suck it up.

Oh, and feel free to whine impotently on anonymous message boards. That's always an option. As an aside, why do you think thy owe you an explanation? When the price of your new Land Rover (I'm just guessing, but it's a pretty safe bet) goes up $5000, do you grill the dealership about the reasons?

NP here. Of course the board and the school admin owe parents an explanation about where their tuition dollars are going and why increases are necessary. That’s a basic principle of school leadership and stewardship. The board is entrusted with leading the school. And in return, it is incumbent on any board to show that that trust is deserved, and that the board is properly discharging its fiduciary obligations.

"Unconscionable" and "red herring" poster here (the later of which I did use appropriately, BTW -- it's something intended to mislead or distract). Completely agree with the PP that the school does have an obligation to explain any increase, particularly increases of this magnitude. I'm frustrated by the fact that they know most families won't move their kids, so they have the parents between a rock an a hard place. If tuition went up 20% a year, would that warrant an explanation? Or would parents just be told to pull their kids if they don't like it? This is not the same as deciding whether to purchase a good like a new car -- a one time decision based on the price of the good at that moment.

Oh, and I drive a 2013 Prius by the way. We can afford tuition for two kids (for now!) by making decisions like not buying fancy cars. I love the school, my kids love the school, that doesn't mean I can't be frustrated by the lack of transparency in the face of exhorbitantly rising tuition costs.

[Anonymous]

It seems like someone is having a conversation with an imaginary person now. I hope we can get this discussion back on track, as it is a worthwhile conversation to be had.

As to demands for firings and naming particular names, I have not seen any of that. I have seen comments where people asserted that the administration was bloated, which is relevant to a discussion about the school’s budget. Those commenters were then challenged to “name names” and the claim was made that they would not be able to do that, because they would not be able to identify any unneeded admin. And in response, some commenters did in fact identify administrative positions that they believe to be unnecessary. Seems relevant and on topic to me.

[Anonymous]

Really? That’s what your takeaway?! I’m reading frustration with the reputational damage to the SFS education, which is excellent and delivered through all the travails of the pandemic, in spite of parents like the OP etc is negatively compared with a test mill like Khan?

If you want to look for racism reread the multiple posts against athletes, alleged athletic recruits and financial aid. That’s a good place to look for that sort of a thing… Attack is not always the best defense

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Administrative bloat is completely out of control. Start there if you want to fix the “inflationary” burden[/quote]

Counterargument - parents demand this and that and the other thing. In order to stay competitive, the school has to have all of the staff and services. What bloat is there? Be specific, what positions would you eliminate?[/quote]
They won’t because they can’t. [/quote]

A few easy ones: one of the middle school librarians (very little value added if any), Freshman Dean role (advisories and others can cover the core responsibilities), and the full time parent relationships coordinator (I don’t know her current title). Separately, my kids’ have had awesome teachers, a terrific and challenging learning environment, and great friends. He condescension of some members of the administration toward parents is palpable, and the narrow range of views that are viewed as acceptable, are disappointing and frustrating. But our kids have gotten terrific, open-minded and engaged teachers with a wide range of interests and backgrounds, and we couldn’t be happier. It’s really just part of the administration we are crazy about. And our kids don’t really need to deal with them and have a terrific school experience which is all that really matters to us in the end. We would take the same path again in a heartbeat.[/quote]

The three positions you mention, ya, no, you have no idea what you are talking about. Sorry, you just don't.[/quote]

Also learning specialist.

Those were good suggestions that someone provided, when challenged that they couldn’t provide anyone. The response is unhelpful and not illuminating. Here are some more: Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs (yes I said it), half of the bloated development office, US community service coordinator.[/quote][/quote]

I am a parent, steeped in the Sidwell experience for many years, in all divisions. Easily, the EJC Coordinator position should be the first to go. As with the freshman dean role, any benefits that role yield can be provided by others, especially given Sidwell's outspoken posture on diversity (it imbues everything, they will tell you). And everything I have seen the current coordinator do is PERFORMATIVE. I've been part of the community than more years than I care to admit and I don't see that this effort by the school makes any difference. So I say again, performative. Furthermore, the EJC Coordinator has alienated many parents (yes, including minority, alumni parents) in assorted ways.

As with the "formalized partnership" with Howard University intended to "have an impact on the civic dialogue about race, democracy, equity, and education among teachers and youth leaders for years to come," (???) announced in late 2020, the organized EJC program seems intended to allow the school to say they are doing something positive. And most I know have experienced it as a rather empty effort for the school community. Rather, it is something nice to put on the website, to announce to alumni, and the NAIS.

[Anonymous]

[reposting from prior post}

I am a parent, steeped in the Sidwell experience for many years, in all divisions. Easily, the EJC Coordinator position should be the first to go. As with the freshman dean role, any benefits that role yield can be provided by others, especially given Sidwell's outspoken posture on diversity (it imbues everything, they will tell you). And everything I have seen the current coordinator do is PERFORMATIVE. I've been part of the community than more years than I care to admit and I don't see that this effort by the school makes any difference. So I say again, performative. Furthermore, the EJC Coordinator has alienated many parents (yes, including minority, alumni parents) in assorted ways.

As with the "formalized partnership" with Howard University intended to "have an impact on the civic dialogue about race, democracy, equity, and education among teachers and youth leaders for years to come," (???) announced in late 2020, the organized EJC program seems intended to allow the school to say they are doing something positive. And most I know have experienced it as a rather empty effort for the school community. Rather, it is something nice to put on the website, to announce to alumni, and the NAIS.

[Anonymous]

Thread is hijacked and getting off topic…. Most parents sending children to private schools either own businesses or have a high paying job. I’m sure the increase in salaries or revenue will more than make up for this tuition increase. My question is what about those on financial aid? Do they get more aid due to tuition costs rising??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thread is hijacked and getting off topic…. Most parents sending children to private schools either own businesses or have a high paying job. I’m sure the increase in salaries or revenue will more than make up for this tuition increase. My question is what about those on financial aid? Do they get more aid due to tuition costs rising??

Yes. FA is a percentage of tuition not a set amount.

[Anonymous]

I know that’s your honest opinion. That is why we even bother to respond to any of your drivel. Because you are more offensive and potentially harmful than you even intend to be. Read the article above, it’s a real condition on a narcissistic personality disorder spectrum — serial compulsive action for all to see something that should be kept private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The development office has quickly become huge under the new advancement head. And check out the job listings where they are looking for 5 more hires to start immediately.

They make more money for the school than they spend on the salaries. And they are replacing attrition, not expanding the staff.

Making more money for the school than their salaries is not the question. That’s a basic principle of independent school advancement, and it would be a serious problem if that was not the case.

The question is whether the development office is needlessly bloated, which it is. Also, they are absolutely expanding the staff, as confirmed to me by someone in the office.

So what? What is the problem with a private school trying to raise money to make the best possible institution for its students?

Parents complain when a campus looks shabby or when teachers are subpar, or when programs get cut.

So now people are complaining because the fundraising staff is bloated.

WTF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't know how many Sidwell parents on this forum have or know senior students. Class of 2022 is one of the strongest but ED/EA results seem very poor this year. Most of us send our kids to SFS for quality education. Sooner or later your kids will be a senior. Parents should express our real concern and interests while paying increasing tuitions.

Isn't SFS the only private school with 10 national merit semifinalists or something like that?

But most NMSFs didn't get in EA/ED. LOL. Sidwell CCO is really subpar.

+1 (class of ‘22 parent here)

+2. Were apparently advising some seniors in mid-Jan to apply to more "safety" schools - mind you after the Jan. 1 deadline for many schools, and right up against the later deadlines of Jan. 15 for some schools.

+3 Try to schedule an appointment to check the Naviance Data and finalized the RD list prior to the winter break after knowing the ED result, but we were told her schedule was fully booked. COO was closed except for checking the emails.

-1 They sent out a ton of emails to finalize lists KNOWING that you were getting ED results any day. The reason they were booked is because other people read their emails and booked time. For some reason, you feel like you can ignore the emaisl and then complain about being snubbed on a public forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't know how many Sidwell parents on this forum have or know senior students. Class of 2022 is one of the strongest but ED/EA results seem very poor this year. Most of us send our kids to SFS for quality education. Sooner or later your kids will be a senior. Parents should express our real concern and interests while paying increasing tuitions.

I don't see where the current senior class is having a poor year with colleges. Something like 25-30% got into their ED's. A bunch of kids have had positive results on EA's and ED2's are coming out over the next few weeks. It is pretty much on par with peer schools and previous years results.

-parent of a senior

But not for ordinary students especially EA/ED top 20/LAC

What is the admit rate so far for SFS seniors? What is the admit rate nationally for these schools? Compare the two numbers and you wlil see how well the current senior class is doing. Do you really expect most of the grade to have been admitted ED? It doesn't work like that.

+1 People are acting like not getting in ED is some mark of failure, but that was never intended to be used for most students -- so people are surprised with tens of thousands of students get deferred to RD where they should have applied in the first place.

Many SFS seniors got rejected (not deferred) from their ED school.

and?

Life happens. Do you expect that all seniors from one particular school will have 100% acceptances or deferrals in an environment that under 5% admissions is the norm?

No. I expect that all seniors from one particular school will get good advice and support from the college counseling office. Which is not the case at Sidwell, as demonstrated by the comments here from parents of seniors.

There are 130+ kids in the class.

There are like 2 people here complaining.

Look, I get it. Your kid got rejected or deferred ED. Guess what, so do about 99% of the rest of the applicants. That isn't Sidwell fault or your kids fault. Blaming the CCO because 53,000 kids applied to Brown ED and Sidwell got shut out for acceptances is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like someone is having a conversation with an imaginary person now. I hope we can get this discussion back on track, as it is a worthwhile conversation to be had.

As to demands for firings and naming particular names, I have not seen any of that. I have seen comments where people asserted that the administration was bloated, which is relevant to a discussion about the school’s budget. Those commenters were then challenged to “name names” and the claim was made that they would not be able to do that, because they would not be able to identify any unneeded admin. And in response, some commenters did in fact identify administrative positions that they believe to be unnecessary. Seems relevant and on topic to me.

Claiming staff is unneccesary without understanding what each of them does on a daily basis to support their kid or the families in the community is BS. These people work hard for minimal pay to help our kids develop as students and people.