SSFS updates? We are thinking about it for a last minute HS switch

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

The school has had this issue for some time. No one talks about the elephant in the room. What happened to drive people away in the first place? Not all schools are losing 10/25/50% of their students. But ssfs did. Why? Not the same reason for everyone but clearly multiple problems existed that drove ppl away, I hope the admin at least Kate paying attention to those exit interviews even if they don’t say out loud what the answers are. Because if the problems aren’t fixed they will continue to struggle with enrollment. School can’t never recover until they can attract students.

Are you staying or going? Are you interested in solving any problems or just complaining? Are you interested in moving forward with this renaissance or hanging out in the past? This is a broken record.

Please do fill us in on how the school has acknowledged the reasons for the enrollment drop, and what changes they are implementing. Otherwise it's just sleepwalking down the same path as before, and throwing away 22 million in the process.

Please fill us in on why you are interested? The school has been quite clear on the changes they are implementing. Perhaps you are just no longer privy to that information.

Because I still care about SSFS and don't want to see it fail.

Why don't you help OP out with a brief summary of the changes. Since it's a reasonable enough question for a prospective family, right?

Because I'm not going to play your "game". The gaslighting that continues from SSFS forum to forum is motivated by either resentment of the school or insecurity with the decision to leave. The facade of "caring" about the school is easy to see through when you choose to make your claims or raise your fake questions on DCUM.

+1. I’m leaving and wish the school the best. I thought it was a great school and would still recommend it. Not sure why some people seem to have some vendetta against such a lovely school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

The school has had this issue for some time. No one talks about the elephant in the room. What happened to drive people away in the first place? Not all schools are losing 10/25/50% of their students. But ssfs did. Why? Not the same reason for everyone but clearly multiple problems existed that drove ppl away, I hope the admin at least Kate paying attention to those exit interviews even if they don’t say out loud what the answers are. Because if the problems aren’t fixed they will continue to struggle with enrollment. School can’t never recover until they can attract students.

Are you staying or going? Are you interested in solving any problems or just complaining? Are you interested in moving forward with this renaissance or hanging out in the past? This is a broken record.

Please do fill us in on how the school has acknowledged the reasons for the enrollment drop, and what changes they are implementing. Otherwise it's just sleepwalking down the same path as before, and throwing away 22 million in the process.

Please fill us in on why you are interested? The school has been quite clear on the changes they are implementing. Perhaps you are just no longer privy to that information.

Because I still care about SSFS and don't want to see it fail.

Why don't you help OP out with a brief summary of the changes. Since it's a reasonable enough question for a prospective family, right?

Because I'm not going to play your "game". The gaslighting that continues from SSFS forum to forum is motivated by either resentment of the school or insecurity with the decision to leave. The facade of "caring" about the school is easy to see through when you choose to make your claims or raise your fake questions on DCUM.

+1. I’m leaving and wish the school the best. I thought it was a great school and would still recommend it. Not sure why some people seem to have some vendetta against such a lovely school.

Another +1 I have one leaving and one staying but even if I had both leaving I would still recommend SSFS. And if you don't recommend it that's fine too but there's enough negativity in the world. Put your ire towards something more worthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

The school has had this issue for some time. No one talks about the elephant in the room. What happened to drive people away in the first place? Not all schools are losing 10/25/50% of their students. But ssfs did. Why? Not the same reason for everyone but clearly multiple problems existed that drove ppl away, I hope the admin at least Kate paying attention to those exit interviews even if they don’t say out loud what the answers are. Because if the problems aren’t fixed they will continue to struggle with enrollment. School can’t never recover until they can attract students.

Are you staying or going? Are you interested in solving any problems or just complaining? Are you interested in moving forward with this renaissance or hanging out in the past? This is a broken record.

Please do fill us in on how the school has acknowledged the reasons for the enrollment drop, and what changes they are implementing. Otherwise it's just sleepwalking down the same path as before, and throwing away 22 million in the process.

Please fill us in on why you are interested? The school has been quite clear on the changes they are implementing. Perhaps you are just no longer privy to that information.

Because I still care about SSFS and don't want to see it fail.

Why don't you help OP out with a brief summary of the changes. Since it's a reasonable enough question for a prospective family, right?

Because I'm not going to play your "game". The gaslighting that continues from SSFS forum to forum is motivated by either resentment of the school or insecurity with the decision to leave. The facade of "caring" about the school is easy to see through when you choose to make your claims or raise your fake questions on DCUM.

Why would questions motivated by insecurity over a decision to leave be unworthy of answering? I am sure it was a hard decision to leave, which speaks well of the school, so some insecurity is understandable. Especially with missing info about falling enrollment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

The school has had this issue for some time. No one talks about the elephant in the room. What happened to drive people away in the first place? Not all schools are losing 10/25/50% of their students. But ssfs did. Why? Not the same reason for everyone but clearly multiple problems existed that drove ppl away, I hope the admin at least Kate paying attention to those exit interviews even if they don’t say out loud what the answers are. Because if the problems aren’t fixed they will continue to struggle with enrollment. School can’t never recover until they can attract students.

Are you staying or going? Are you interested in solving any problems or just complaining? Are you interested in moving forward with this renaissance or hanging out in the past? This is a broken record.

Please do fill us in on how the school has acknowledged the reasons for the enrollment drop, and what changes they are implementing. Otherwise it's just sleepwalking down the same path as before, and throwing away 22 million in the process.

Please fill us in on why you are interested? The school has been quite clear on the changes they are implementing. Perhaps you are just no longer privy to that information.

Because I still care about SSFS and don't want to see it fail.

Why don't you help OP out with a brief summary of the changes. Since it's a reasonable enough question for a prospective family, right?

Because I'm not going to play your "game". The gaslighting that continues from SSFS forum to forum is motivated by either resentment of the school or insecurity with the decision to leave. The facade of "caring" about the school is easy to see through when you choose to make your claims or raise your fake questions on DCUM.

Why would questions motivated by insecurity over a decision to leave be unworthy of answering? I am sure it was a hard decision to leave, which speaks well of the school, so some insecurity is understandable. Especially with missing info about falling enrollment.

And so what is the point then of the information? You're either looking to make yourself feel better or what? You're going to change your mind and return? There is no missing information about falling enrollment. People have been harping on this since the HOS left last summer and to what end? What "information" do you want? The school doesn't know why each and every person left but the school certainly has the anecdotal information and have acknowledged this and have already started to put measures in place to rebound an even better SSFS. Those measure start with governance and proceed from there. This is NOT a seeking of information. This is a broken record of probably the same handful of people who want some sort of definitive admission of "guilt" from the school to feel vindicated. It's not going to happen. You left. Good for you. I wish you well. Move on with your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

SSFS was a literal lifesaver for one of our kids many years ago, so I was sad to read about its closing and elated that the closing has been averted.

That you continue to participate in discussions about the school having already made the decision to leave is not productive and certainly does the school no favors. Why must you persist in doing so?

I’m not the poster but asking about the school is what people do cause they care. And not having a kid at the school doesn’t mean there isn’t interest (why did alums jump in to save thr school. Why do YOU care if you don’t have a child here now).

But if no one can ask “what went wrong?” How is the school supposed to prevent it from happening again?

[Anonymous]

I think both sides have valid points. We do know that SSFS will be open next year, and have pledged funding for the next three years. We don't know what the student experience will be due to declining enrollment. Many families have said they will stay regardless. Some families are only staying because they did not feel that they had enough time to explore other options. Next year will be critical to see how SSFS fares for the near and long term.

I agree with those who said to take a tour and talk to administration. Ask the hard questions and see how you feel. Anyone who inquires now will be almost certainly extended an invitation to join.

[Anonymous]

We already know the two major reasons for the decline in enrollment and what the school is doing about it.

1) The decline in international students post-COVID, especially from China. This is a known phenomenon affecting schools and colleges around the country. Xi Jinping doesn't want the upper class sending their kids to school overseas anymore. SSFS is going to try to keep their homestead program next year, but no dorm/boarding for the foreseeable future.

2) About 100 of the families who left did so between the 2023 and 2024 school years (if I'm not mistaken -- there was an old thread about it on DCUM last year with more details). We don't know all their reasons. However, we do know that a lot of parents were unhappy with the leadership and culture shift that happened in those years. Starting in the summer, SSFS will have a new head of school and new division heads who are committed to more positive and transparent community going forward.

Hopefully that satisfies your questions.

[Anonymous]

*homeSTAY, apologies for the unintended auto-correct..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

SSFS was a literal lifesaver for one of our kids many years ago, so I was sad to read about its closing and elated that the closing has been averted.

That you continue to participate in discussions about the school having already made the decision to leave is not productive and certainly does the school no favors. Why must you persist in doing so?

I’m not the poster but asking about the school is what people do cause they care. And not having a kid at the school doesn’t mean there isn’t interest (why did alums jump in to save thr school. Why do YOU care if you don’t have a child here now).

But if no one can ask “what went wrong?” How is the school supposed to prevent it from happening again?

How long and how many times are we going to keep asking "what went wrong"? This has been well covered in meetings and the school is now moving forward with many well thought out plans. Those that keep asking this question over and over again and particularly those that have left, have questionable intent.

[Anonymous]

What new family with any sense, or prior connection, would join?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

The school has had this issue for some time. No one talks about the elephant in the room. What happened to drive people away in the first place? Not all schools are losing 10/25/50% of their students. But ssfs did. Why? Not the same reason for everyone but clearly multiple problems existed that drove ppl away, I hope the admin at least Kate paying attention to those exit interviews even if they don’t say out loud what the answers are. Because if the problems aren’t fixed they will continue to struggle with enrollment. School can’t never recover until they can attract students.

Are you staying or going? Are you interested in solving any problems or just complaining? Are you interested in moving forward with this renaissance or hanging out in the past? This is a broken record.

Please do fill us in on how the school has acknowledged the reasons for the enrollment drop, and what changes they are implementing. Otherwise it's just sleepwalking down the same path as before, and throwing away 22 million in the process.

Please fill us in on why you are interested? The school has been quite clear on the changes they are implementing. Perhaps you are just no longer privy to that information.

Because I still care about SSFS and don't want to see it fail.

Why don't you help OP out with a brief summary of the changes. Since it's a reasonable enough question for a prospective family, right?

Because I'm not going to play your "game". The gaslighting that continues from SSFS forum to forum is motivated by either resentment of the school or insecurity with the decision to leave. The facade of "caring" about the school is easy to see through when you choose to make your claims or raise your fake questions on DCUM.

Why would questions motivated by insecurity over a decision to leave be unworthy of answering? I am sure it was a hard decision to leave, which speaks well of the school, so some insecurity is understandable. Especially with missing info about falling enrollment.

And so what is the point then of the information? You're either looking to make yourself feel better or what? You're going to change your mind and return? There is no missing information about falling enrollment. People have been harping on this since the HOS left last summer and to what end? What "information" do you want? The school doesn't know why each and every person left but the school certainly has the anecdotal information and have acknowledged this and have already started to put measures in place to rebound an even better SSFS. Those measure start with governance and proceed from there. This is NOT a seeking of information. This is a broken record of probably the same handful of people who want some sort of definitive admission of "guilt" from the school to feel vindicated. It's not going to happen. You left. Good for you. I wish you well. Move on with your life.

+1000 Oh my gosh, AMEN!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What new family with any sense, or prior connection, would join?

What person who no longer has ties to this school would keep following us from forum to forum to post such drivel? Haters. Trolls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What new family with any sense, or prior connection, would join?

I'm sorry you have such an unhappy life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question as a family choosing not to go back to high school this year. Those of you who are returning - are you not troubled that for all the talk about finances past and future, no one is talking about why the school lost 200 enrollments from fall of 2023 to Spring of 2025? 690 kids to 495 — and that’s why they thought they had to close the school. Now with reopening they are at 326.

They had to shut the school because of a huge exodus of families and there has been zero discussion of the underlying reasons for that. I have been at every board meeting, coalition call, and all over Slack.

The fact that there was something so broken that almost 1/3 of families left and no one wants to talk about that - we couldn’t overcome that. But I am finding it so amazing that so many families don’t have insurmountable problems with that.

SSFS was a literal lifesaver for one of our kids many years ago, so I was sad to read about its closing and elated that the closing has been averted.

That you continue to participate in discussions about the school having already made the decision to leave is not productive and certainly does the school no favors. Why must you persist in doing so?

I’m not the poster but asking about the school is what people do cause they care. And not having a kid at the school doesn’t mean there isn’t interest (why did alums jump in to save thr school. Why do YOU care if you don’t have a child here now).

But if no one can ask “what went wrong?” How is the school supposed to prevent it from happening again?

How long and how many times are we going to keep asking "what went wrong"? This has been well covered in meetings and the school is now moving forward with many well thought out plans. Those that keep asking this question over and over again and particularly those that have left, have questionable intent.

No it hasn’t. I have been at all the forums. The debt and what got us into the financial hole we are in has been discussed. But no one has discussed — and thus have solved for — the issues of school culture that resulted in over 100 kids being pulled this year before the announcement. And yes there is new leadership coming, but selected by the old board. I hope things improve, but for sure don’t understand why so many families left.

[Anonymous]

I’ve not heard anyone openly address the enrollment drop from ~700 2 years ago to 460 at the time of closure. I’m not sure we will ever hear why from the school. But if you just ask around you’ll know the top reasons why people left. But not on this forum. That’s always been off limits to talk about it here.