Lawyer recommendation?

[Anonymous]

OP, no reputable lawyer is going to take this case because there simply is no case.

You need to move on. If the school wanted to do things differently they would. Frankly the fact that you are trying to pursue a fruitless litigations makes me think you were a very difficult family to deal with for the school. They simply cannot support your child and I suspect tried to tell you this in many ways that you did not want to hear. So now you have out yourself in a tough spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you- I know that’s where we are headed but I would still like to take legal action.

Here is the honest truth. There doesn’t seem to be any reasonable legal action. While I’m sure this is painful for you and your child, your best bet is to put that money towards the new school and support for your DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our elementary school child is at a private school in DC. The school is trying to push us out- our child has been diagnosed with ADHD this school year. We are doing everything we can as quickly as we can to stabilize our child but medication takes time to work. We understand we signed away a lot of our rights going private but does anyone have a recommendation of a lawyer who can help us? At the very least, we want to document all of the ways the school has failed to partner with us.

I’m a teacher at a local private. In my experience, we’ve never tried to push out any student, even with an adhd diagnosis (which is unfortunately not that rare), unless they had behavioral issues that negatively impacted other children: showing agressive behavior, even sometimes bullying, lack of emotional regulation, etc.
If what you claim is true and the school is resorting to pushing your family out, they clearly have documented how your child’s behavior.
As someone said above, schools don’t do anything they haven’t discussed with their lawyer either.

[Anonymous]

*how your child’s behavior negatively affects others.

[Anonymous]

https://belkowitzlaw.com

https://www.gekimlaw.com/

[Anonymous]

OP, another thing to consider: I’d only go the legal route if you’re 100% sure that your child will be in public moving forward.
Word gets around quickly and no private school will admit a kid whose parents sued his former school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, another thing to consider: I’d only go the legal route if you’re 100% sure that your child will be in public moving forward.
Word gets around quickly and no private school will admit a kid whose parents sued his former school.

This lawsuit will die quickly (if anyone takes it), so that probably won’t matter much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you- I know that’s where we are headed but I would still like to take legal action.

What law is it you think they've broken?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks- OP here. I appreciate the thoughtful replies. We have moved incredibly quickly to do many of the things listed here (therapy for child and family, looking at other options). However, the school has taken actions that have harmed my child, communicated multiple things around the same situation (thereby impacting actions we have taken), and the teaching quality has been incredibly poor. Even outside of this we were planning on making a change because we don’t like the school, we just needed one more year to do so. I want a lawyer to help so the school makes changes in how they handle future situations and not harm others as they have harmed my child and family.

It isn’t going to work. Your unhappiness with the school is not grounds for legal intervention. We’ve all said it, and you’ve gotten good advice about alternatives. Communicate your views to the school and move on. Or don’t listen, but you’ll be wasting time and money.

[Anonymous]

I can’t think of a lawyer to “ document all of the ways the school has failed to partner with us.” That’s something you would do. You would then provide that information to an attorney if the actions of the school violated a law or a contract. Private schools generally have very well written contracts. Regardless of how poorly they accommodate your child, you’re unlikely to find someone who can find a basis to sue based on violation of contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t think of a lawyer to “ document all of the ways the school has failed to partner with us.” That’s something you would do. You would then provide that information to an attorney if the actions of the school violated a law or a contract. Private schools generally have very well written contracts. Regardless of how poorly they accommodate your child, you’re unlikely to find someone who can find a basis to sue based on violation of contract.

Not true. The amount of parents here talking out their ass is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks- OP here. I appreciate the thoughtful replies. We have moved incredibly quickly to do many of the things listed here (therapy for child and family, looking at other options). However, the school has taken actions that have harmed my child, communicated multiple things around the same situation (thereby impacting actions we have taken), and the teaching quality has been incredibly poor. Even outside of this we were planning on making a change because we don’t like the school, we just needed one more year to do so. I want a lawyer to help so the school makes changes in how they handle future situations and not harm others as they have harmed my child and family.

Wait, am I interpreting this correctly? You want to keep your kid at a school you are suing for an additional year? Lady, you need a good, honest friend to sit you down and tell you to cut your losses and to move on. Do not burn bridges, just focus *all* of your energies and your money on your child. Maybe read some Thich Nhat Hanh.

[Anonymous]

Jackie Chiles! The schools behavior is outrageous and egregious!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jackie Chiles! The schools behavior is outrageous and egregious!

Is this a reference to something?

[Anonymous]

OP, I suspect the school is counseling out now in order to provide you enough time to submit applications for the next admission cycle. If they waited until closer to the end of the school year, you'd be upset that they didn't give you adequate notice and were unable to explore different schools and submit applications in a timely manner. It certainly doesn't feel like it from your end, but they're actually trying to do right by your child by broaching this now and giving you time to find a better placement for next school year.