Which private schools are struggling to fill classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be surprised if WES were having any serious issues. It is a terrific school. We do not have a child there but it has always been on our short short list. Moreover, I gather they had a great exmissions year this past spring.

The person who posted about those 3 schools was just baiting. I know two of them very well, and neither is in any jeopardy at all -- even though they have strong competition from local publics and other privates.

[Anonymous]

WES enrollment is down for the coming year. They certainly aren't in financial trouble, but are seeking applicants.

[Anonymous]

I hear Sidwell, GDS, Maret and Beauvoir are struggling and about to shut down. Quick. Send checks in now.

[Anonymous]

Lowell does not have pre-k slots available...enrollment is great, they actually have a waitlist for pre-k.

[Anonymous]

@20:25 You are grossly misinformed!! Lowell has openings at almost every grade level. They are under enrolled and have been for the last two years.

[Anonymous]

Lowell is very under enrolled. They laid of a pre-k teacher because of this. JK may be on wait but not pre-k. All of the other classes are under enrolled as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WES enrollment is down for the coming year. They certainly aren't in financial trouble, but are seeking applicants.

Aren't they overenrolled? DC will be there in the fall and apparently the class is larger than their usual size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lowell is very under enrolled. They laid of a pre-k teacher because of this. JK may be on wait but not pre-k. All of the other classes are under enrolled as well.

Pre-K at Lowell IS JK. The PP (Pre-primary division) is for kids aged 3-4.5, so not pre-K but pre-school. One class in PP has kids technically aged for pre-K and that class is full. In this economy I am not surprised that a preschool for kids younger than that is having trouble filling spots.

[Anonymous]

PP 12:08. Your child's class might be larger than usual.
But, the overall enrollment is down at WES.

[Anonymous]

JK at Lowell is underenrolled as well, unless they deliberately shrunk the class size.

[Anonymous]

Lowell has a big sign out in front that says they are still taking applications for spaces in the Fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP 12:08. Your child's class might be larger than usual.
But, the overall enrollment is down at WES.

Just speculation, but maybe they're accepting more children in the lower grades because they lose so many as time progresses. They seem to struggle with retaining students in the higher grades.

[Anonymous]

That's correct. Lots of kids leave after 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

You mean they're accepting the "wrong" type of student???! Does that mean my child will end up in classes with students who could cause potential problems/disruptions??

Anonymous wrote:The title of the post is "Which private schools are struggling to fill classes?" How is that asking which schools are close to failure? Perhaps that is how some have interpreted, but the question itself is fair to ask. Not only does it give parents an idea of where openings might exist, but it also calls into question WHY schools may be struggling. Both of those are legitimate aims.

PP-
As a school insider, I will say that schools sometimes do make decisions based on financial bottom lines instead of educational bottom lines. They will accept students they might not otherwise accept if enrollment is down. I'm not saying they are taking gross numbers of kids that they can't support (though there may be some sprinkled in), but they definitely do change admissions standards based on yield. You are right that, long term, this is a wrong-headed decision as it only serves to further the difficulties schools are facing. But when budgets turn from black to red, those higher up the food chain have to consider different factors.

Trust me, in schools where enrollment is very down, a kid has to have screaming red flag to be rejected.

[Anonymous]

I was the original poster there. Not sure I understand your question. I don't know who the "right" or "wrong" student is. But when applications are down, students change their application standards to maintain yield. Sometimes the changes are minute and sometimes, like in Lowell's case, you are creating untenable situations for students and teachers alike. They're enrollment has dropped 10% in the last few years even with the lower standards.