A warning about St. Columba's Nursery School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You paid $17,000 upfront? Is this common?

That sounds insane.Who would do such a thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a provision that you will see in every private school contract and why you should always obtain tuition insurance.

This! OP, you signed a CONTRACT which obliges you to pay. The school owes you nothing. Stop complaining here. All the DC area schools have the same contracts, edited by $$ education lawyers. Start paying attention to what you sign.

[Anonymous]

Have your employer pay it as a relo expense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, I just want to warn other families about St. Columba's enrollment contract. I took a $17,000 hit and I'm hoping to save another family from the same. I can't even imagine where I'd be if I enrolled two children or opted for the more expensive full-day program.

Here's the situation: I asked to withdraw my 2-year-old a few weeks before school started as we were moving to the West Coast on short notice. I asked if I could be released from the contract if someone took her seat. Kate told me there was no one on the waitlist but if anything changed, she would let me know as soon as possible. She also told me she would take it to the Board of Governors to discuss.

They came back over a month later and said sorry but they decided not to release me, which I understood as I believed there was a vacant seat they couldn't fill. What I did not understand, however, was their refusal to make any attempt to fill that seat... until I dug further. I asked if they were advertising the spot. They said they were not. I asked if I could advertise. They said no, I should not.

This confused me as I had seen Kate advertise available spots on the neighborhood Listserv, and I have seen parents advertise on behalf of the school as well. I asked how they could fill the spot if no one knew it was available.

I was repeatedly told, "the contractual obligation is not related to filling vacant seats" which I initially took to mean that they were not contractually obligated to try to fill an empty seat. I thought they wanted that spot filled so I was baffled by that whole exchange.

It took a turn when they clarified: "Even if a space is filled following a withdrawal, families are still bound to the terms of the contract." This should tell you everything you need to know about the people there, and what their priorities are. It never even crossed my mind that they would use this opportunity to double-dip tuition. They are coming after me and my family even if they have already put another student in that available seat - which I strongly suspect they have.

While I know St. Columba's shouldn't be out any money due to my breach of contract, I also don't think it's right to charge two families for one spot. To pay for a year's worth of childcare for a seat that another kid sits in doesn't feel morally right to me.

I anticipated taking a financial hit. What I did not anticipate was such a lack of compassion from the administration at St. Columba's, or that they would see my family circumstances as a windfall rather than an opportunity to show grace. I recommend anyone think twice about signing a contract with them. I am out $17,000 for a child that spent a grand total of 0 days in the classroom.

it's almost Nov! The school reserved a spot for your child! The standard contract is very clear about your financial obligation.. a fact you gloss over. And now YOU want to blacken that school's name! Shame on you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have your employer pay it as a relo expense

This is such a good point. As a former SCNS family that binding June 1 date is really clear (for other independent schools as well…). You would have known you were well in advance of any relo conversations, and should have asked your employer to consider it.

I’m sorry they didn’t give it back to you but it’s also incredibly clear how the system works when you’re presented the contract in the first place. This hardly seems like a school policy or a reason to tarnish the reputation of a wonderful school who has served hundreds (thousands?) of families with no issue. Just read the contacts you sign, and discuss upfront any issues you might have with them (like a potential relocation…).

To anyone reading this and considering SCNS for your child — it’s a wonderful school, and this persons experience is not the norm. Most families love the school, teachers, admin, and facilities. It is a wonderful place that views the children as individuals, loves them, and is supportive of students and families. The community is unmatched by anything I’ve seen elsewhere in the city, including at our current k-8 school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, I just want to warn other families about St. Columba's enrollment contract. I took a $17,000 hit and I'm hoping to save another family from the same. I can't even imagine where I'd be if I enrolled two children or opted for the more expensive full-day program.

Here's the situation: I asked to withdraw my 2-year-old a few weeks before school started as we were moving to the West Coast on short notice. I asked if I could be released from the contract if someone took her seat. Kate told me there was no one on the waitlist but if anything changed, she would let me know as soon as possible. She also told me she would take it to the Board of Governors to discuss.

They came back over a month later and said sorry but they decided not to release me, which I understood as I believed there was a vacant seat they couldn't fill. What I did not understand, however, was their refusal to make any attempt to fill that seat... until I dug further. I asked if they were advertising the spot. They said they were not. I asked if I could advertise. They said no, I should not.

This confused me as I had seen Kate advertise available spots on the neighborhood Listserv, and I have seen parents advertise on behalf of the school as well. I asked how they could fill the spot if no one knew it was available.

I was repeatedly told, "the contractual obligation is not related to filling vacant seats" which I initially took to mean that they were not contractually obligated to try to fill an empty seat. I thought they wanted that spot filled so I was baffled by that whole exchange.

It took a turn when they clarified: "Even if a space is filled following a withdrawal, families are still bound to the terms of the contract." This should tell you everything you need to know about the people there, and what their priorities are. It never even crossed my mind that they would use this opportunity to double-dip tuition. They are coming after me and my family even if they have already put another student in that available seat - which I strongly suspect they have.

While I know St. Columba's shouldn't be out any money due to my breach of contract, I also don't think it's right to charge two families for one spot. To pay for a year's worth of childcare for a seat that another kid sits in doesn't feel morally right to me.

I anticipated taking a financial hit. What I did not anticipate was such a lack of compassion from the administration at St. Columba's, or that they would see my family circumstances as a windfall rather than an opportunity to show grace. I recommend anyone think twice about signing a contract with them. I am out $17,000 for a child that spent a grand total of 0 days in the classroom.

What a horrific experience. It’s not a good look for St. Columba’s. Shame on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, I just want to warn other families about St. Columba's enrollment contract. I took a $17,000 hit and I'm hoping to save another family from the same. I can't even imagine where I'd be if I enrolled two children or opted for the more expensive full-day program.

Here's the situation: I asked to withdraw my 2-year-old a few weeks before school started as we were moving to the West Coast on short notice. I asked if I could be released from the contract if someone took her seat. Kate told me there was no one on the waitlist but if anything changed, she would let me know as soon as possible. She also told me she would take it to the Board of Governors to discuss.

They came back over a month later and said sorry but they decided not to release me, which I understood as I believed there was a vacant seat they couldn't fill. What I did not understand, however, was their refusal to make any attempt to fill that seat... until I dug further. I asked if they were advertising the spot. They said they were not. I asked if I could advertise. They said no, I should not.

This confused me as I had seen Kate advertise available spots on the neighborhood Listserv, and I have seen parents advertise on behalf of the school as well. I asked how they could fill the spot if no one knew it was available.

I was repeatedly told, "the contractual obligation is not related to filling vacant seats" which I initially took to mean that they were not contractually obligated to try to fill an empty seat. I thought they wanted that spot filled so I was baffled by that whole exchange.

It took a turn when they clarified: "Even if a space is filled following a withdrawal, families are still bound to the terms of the contract." This should tell you everything you need to know about the people there, and what their priorities are. It never even crossed my mind that they would use this opportunity to double-dip tuition. They are coming after me and my family even if they have already put another student in that available seat - which I strongly suspect they have.

While I know St. Columba's shouldn't be out any money due to my breach of contract, I also don't think it's right to charge two families for one spot. To pay for a year's worth of childcare for a seat that another kid sits in doesn't feel morally right to me.

I anticipated taking a financial hit. What I did not anticipate was such a lack of compassion from the administration at St. Columba's, or that they would see my family circumstances as a windfall rather than an opportunity to show grace. I recommend anyone think twice about signing a contract with them. I am out $17,000 for a child that spent a grand total of 0 days in the classroom.

What a horrific experience. It’s not a good look for St. Columba’s. Shame on them.

No, OP agreed to certain terms and when they were held to them, they decided it was just terrible and wrong. No one made them sign that contract. They left the school. What the school does with that empty seat is really not their business.

But you know that. You just don’t like St. Columba.

[Anonymous]

Just pay as your contract says. It's not your business

There's rules to follow. Follow them

[Anonymous]

Op follow the rules. You signed the contract.

Follow the rules

[Anonymous]

Isn’t this a pretty standard term in school contracts? This sounds like what tuition insurance is for. Some schools give the option of paying tuition all at once, or twice a year, or on a monthly basis. We are not a St C family but the school has long had an excellent reputation, and friends’ kids who went there had great experiences there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you didn't pay it upfront, move to the West coast and forget about it. They'll start advertising.

+1. No way would I pay this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, I just want to warn other families about St. Columba's enrollment contract. I took a $17,000 hit and I'm hoping to save another family from the same. I can't even imagine where I'd be if I enrolled two children or opted for the more expensive full-day program.

Here's the situation: I asked to withdraw my 2-year-old a few weeks before school started as we were moving to the West Coast on short notice. I asked if I could be released from the contract if someone took her seat. Kate told me there was no one on the waitlist but if anything changed, she would let me know as soon as possible. She also told me she would take it to the Board of Governors to discuss.

They came back over a month later and said sorry but they decided not to release me, which I understood as I believed there was a vacant seat they couldn't fill. What I did not understand, however, was their refusal to make any attempt to fill that seat... until I dug further. I asked if they were advertising the spot. They said they were not. I asked if I could advertise. They said no, I should not.

This confused me as I had seen Kate advertise available spots on the neighborhood Listserv, and I have seen parents advertise on behalf of the school as well. I asked how they could fill the spot if no one knew it was available.

I was repeatedly told, "the contractual obligation is not related to filling vacant seats" which I initially took to mean that they were not contractually obligated to try to fill an empty seat. I thought they wanted that spot filled so I was baffled by that whole exchange.

It took a turn when they clarified: "Even if a space is filled following a withdrawal, families are still bound to the terms of the contract." This should tell you everything you need to know about the people there, and what their priorities are. It never even crossed my mind that they would use this opportunity to double-dip tuition. They are coming after me and my family even if they have already put another student in that available seat - which I strongly suspect they have.

While I know St. Columba's shouldn't be out any money due to my breach of contract, I also don't think it's right to charge two families for one spot. To pay for a year's worth of childcare for a seat that another kid sits in doesn't feel morally right to me.

I anticipated taking a financial hit. What I did not anticipate was such a lack of compassion from the administration at St. Columba's, or that they would see my family circumstances as a windfall rather than an opportunity to show grace. I recommend anyone think twice about signing a contract with them. I am out $17,000 for a child that spent a grand total of 0 days in the classroom.

What a horrific experience. It’s not a good look for St. Columba’s. Shame on them.

No, OP agreed to certain terms and when they were held to them, they decided it was just terrible and wrong. No one made them sign that contract. They left the school. What the school does with that empty seat is really not their business.

But you know that. You just don’t like St. Columba.

If St Columbas is truly as fabulous as parents raving about it say that it is, they will have no trouble filling this spot.

I understand holding a family to a contract if they just change their mind, but come on. Moving to the west coast on short notice? Surely a church-affiliated PRESCHOOL that claims to be in such demand can show a little grace in this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, I just want to warn other families about St. Columba's enrollment contract. I took a $17,000 hit and I'm hoping to save another family from the same. I can't even imagine where I'd be if I enrolled two children or opted for the more expensive full-day program.

Here's the situation: I asked to withdraw my 2-year-old a few weeks before school started as we were moving to the West Coast on short notice. I asked if I could be released from the contract if someone took her seat. Kate told me there was no one on the waitlist but if anything changed, she would let me know as soon as possible. She also told me she would take it to the Board of Governors to discuss.

They came back over a month later and said sorry but they decided not to release me, which I understood as I believed there was a vacant seat they couldn't fill. What I did not understand, however, was their refusal to make any attempt to fill that seat... until I dug further. I asked if they were advertising the spot. They said they were not. I asked if I could advertise. They said no, I should not.

This confused me as I had seen Kate advertise available spots on the neighborhood Listserv, and I have seen parents advertise on behalf of the school as well. I asked how they could fill the spot if no one knew it was available.

I was repeatedly told, "the contractual obligation is not related to filling vacant seats" which I initially took to mean that they were not contractually obligated to try to fill an empty seat. I thought they wanted that spot filled so I was baffled by that whole exchange.

It took a turn when they clarified: "Even if a space is filled following a withdrawal, families are still bound to the terms of the contract." This should tell you everything you need to know about the people there, and what their priorities are. It never even crossed my mind that they would use this opportunity to double-dip tuition. They are coming after me and my family even if they have already put another student in that available seat - which I strongly suspect they have.

While I know St. Columba's shouldn't be out any money due to my breach of contract, I also don't think it's right to charge two families for one spot. To pay for a year's worth of childcare for a seat that another kid sits in doesn't feel morally right to me.

I anticipated taking a financial hit. What I did not anticipate was such a lack of compassion from the administration at St. Columba's, or that they would see my family circumstances as a windfall rather than an opportunity to show grace. I recommend anyone think twice about signing a contract with them. I am out $17,000 for a child that spent a grand total of 0 days in the classroom.

it's almost Nov! The school reserved a spot for your child! The standard contract is very clear about your financial obligation.. a fact you gloss over. And now YOU want to blacken that school's name! Shame on you!

Calm down. It's a freaking pre-school.

[Anonymous]

The background legal principal is that parties have an obligation to mitigate damages in a breach of contract—so that the preschool would have to try to find a replacement. Maybe that can be contracted around in DC, I don’t know. But I sympathize with OP.

[Anonymous]

If they are still advertising, it means the class wasn’t full so it’s not really a fair swap.