A warning about St. Columba's Nursery 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.

[Anonymous]

I went there as a child and didn’t experience this. Of course I had no idea about money but enjoyed the classroom and playground. Different perspective.

[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.

half of NWDC parents are lawyers, you're not gonna get much sympathy here for expecting "compassion" over knowing how to read a contract.

I think you all are being jerks.

OP clearly understands the contract and her obligation but is also surprised that if the school filled the spot (which OP infers they did) then why wouldn't they release her from the contract? This seems reasonable.

Maybe they could keep an amount for the admin of on boarding her child or whatever but the majority should be released. This is similar to finding a new renter to get out of a lease. It's not complicated.

And while not contractually obligated - which OP acknowledges - maybe morally or ethically motivated.

[Anonymous]

People do not realize that a schools operating budget is primarily based on tuition. Based on local trends, it is highly unlikely st Columba’s was completely full and therefore, they should not return tuition—this is not the equivalent of finding new renters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People do not realize that a schools operating budget is primarily based on tuition. Based on local trends, it is highly unlikely st Columba’s was completely full and therefore, they should not return tuition—this is not the equivalent of finding new renters.

OP says they think that the spot is already filled. Therefore, it is highly likely you are wrong in your assessment.

If they filled it, then they're double dipping.

[Anonymous]

No, they are abiding by the contract as agreed to by all parties. OP is pissed off and attempting to smear the school on social media. Wonder where else she posted this “warning”? Wonder if the school has an action since they know who OP is.