Feynman School Closing

[Anonymous]

This lack of notice is shocking and I imagine this administration is wildly . . .selfish or irresponsible. It's one or the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1/2 year of public is an option. It's only a few months. Focus on next year.

+1

Could be better than hastily moving to another school for half a year. Plus, costly for those that already paid for the full year of tuition at Feynman. No easy answers here!

[Anonymous]

Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Maybe but maybe not? Policies usually are written for withdrawing a student not school closure. Parents need to read the language in their enrollment contracts about school closure and also check the tuition insurance policy (if they have one) to see what they might be able to recover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

It certainly should but not everyone gets it and it still doesn’t fix the fact that families are left having to scramble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1/2 year of public is an option. It's only a few months. Focus on next year.

+1

Could be better than hastily moving to another school for half a year. Plus, costly for those that already paid for the full year of tuition at Feynman. No easy answers here!

I am assuming schools with open spots are not that desirable...but could still be a good fit in some circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1/2 year of public is an option. It's only a few months. Focus on next year.

And seriously - get a transcript ASAP and letters of recommendation from 2 teachers ASAP. Moving forward - if you go to a private - you will need these - whether it be for current school year or a future one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

While you are correct, a closure this sudden indicates that they are out of money and probably are unable to make their payroll, rent, etc to be able to continue operation, so you should prepare yourself for there being no money to return, or at least not enough to return in full.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

While you are correct, a closure this sudden indicates that they are out of money and probably are unable to make their payroll, rent, etc to be able to continue operation, so you should prepare yourself for there being no money to return, or at least not enough to return in full.

I know. It’s just a terrible situation all around and we are prepared for this. But what is infuriating is that the school has not been at transparent about the financial situation. Yes, the fundraising pleas were direct and escalating, but they have never been transparent about revenues and outflows, the way other private schools are. Most parents accepted this because our kids were happy there, but at this point, I think parents are owed at least some answers and more information than we have received.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

While you are correct, a closure this sudden indicates that they are out of money and probably are unable to make their payroll, rent, etc to be able to continue operation, so you should prepare yourself for there being no money to return, or at least not enough to return in full.

And the very last words in this post are exactly where we have questions. We know it’s unlikely we’re going to be made whole. But is there some possibility of a partial reimbursement — no answers yet from school. If the school stonewalls and doesn’t try to be responsive, some parents may choose to file litigation just to get discovery and get some answers and force a reckoning. The lack of clarity and chaos in this situation is just mind boggling, and may drive some parents to litigation for the principle of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

While you are correct, a closure this sudden indicates that they are out of money and probably are unable to make their payroll, rent, etc to be able to continue operation, so you should prepare yourself for there being no money to return, or at least not enough to return in full.

I know. It’s just a terrible situation all around and we are prepared for this. But what is infuriating is that the school has not been at transparent about the financial situation. Yes, the fundraising pleas were direct and escalating, but they have never been transparent about revenues and outflows, the way other private schools are. Most parents accepted this because our kids were happy there, but at this point, I think parents are owed at least some answers and more information than we have received.

Absolutely! The school definitely owes you an explanation and information. I hope you get it soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

While you are correct, a closure this sudden indicates that they are out of money and probably are unable to make their payroll, rent, etc to be able to continue operation, so you should prepare yourself for there being no money to return, or at least not enough to return in full.

I know. It’s just a terrible situation all around and we are prepared for this. But what is infuriating is that the school has not been at transparent about the financial situation. Yes, the fundraising pleas were direct and escalating, but they have never been transparent about revenues and outflows, the way other private schools are. Most parents accepted this because our kids were happy there, but at this point, I think parents are owed at least some answers and more information than we have received.

100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

While you are correct, a closure this sudden indicates that they are out of money and probably are unable to make their payroll, rent, etc to be able to continue operation, so you should prepare yourself for there being no money to return, or at least not enough to return in full.

And the very last words in this post are exactly where we have questions. We know it’s unlikely we’re going to be made whole. But is there some possibility of a partial reimbursement — no answers yet from school. If the school stonewalls and doesn’t try to be responsive, some parents may choose to file litigation just to get discovery and get some answers and force a reckoning. The lack of clarity and chaos in this situation is just mind boggling, and may drive some parents to litigation for the principle of it.

There was a school event today that was cancelled for low RSVPs. I'm calling BS. I'm betting the real reason is the head of school and admin didn't want to have to deal with parents with questions or give the parents a chance to talk and work together to force this issue.

Oh and they are returning recent donations, suggesting its not completely hopeless. But who knows? We can only conjecture and speculate. ZERO TRANSPARENCY.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, wouldn’t tuition insurance cover this kind of situation?

Sadly — when we signed our enrollment contract, it did not come with an option for tuition insurance. I actually called and researched to see if I could purchase tuition insurance on my own. No go. The companies only offer policies for a school as a whole, not to individual families.

In case school admin is reading this — The enrollment contract does not protect the school in this situation. You are only entitled to keep the full tuition if parents withdraw mid year or kid is expelled. NOT applicable here.

While you are correct, a closure this sudden indicates that they are out of money and probably are unable to make their payroll, rent, etc to be able to continue operation, so you should prepare yourself for there being no money to return, or at least not enough to return in full.

I know. It’s just a terrible situation all around and we are prepared for this. But what is infuriating is that the school has not been at transparent about the financial situation. Yes, the fundraising pleas were direct and escalating, but they have never been transparent about revenues and outflows, the way other private schools are. Most parents accepted this because our kids were happy there, but at this point, I think parents are owed at least some answers and more information than we have received.

We left the Feynman community long ago, unfortunately this is long-standing.

See: River Road and additional legal and financial issues

I am terribly sorry for families in this position, but not in any way surprised, even with the midyear closure.