SSFS Will Stay Open

[Anonymous]

Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Let’s just say it’s not a number I picked out of the air and it’s not a secret if you’re on the inside.

It seems unlikely to me - and we are a family that is not returning but still hopes the school survives - that SSFS could have lost so many kids in a lower school grade. They just gave contracts to the whole lower school faculty which to me implies they have their lower school enrollments and don't have what they hope for when it comes to middle and upper school.

Yep. Unfortunately I do not think they have anywhere near what they were hoping for for upper school.

And contracts aren't due back yet, so there are likely still families on the fence, or waiting to hear from other schools. It seems MUCH easier to switch schools in lower and middle than in upper school if families are looking at other private schools - we thought about it when the closure first happened and the list of schools that were even potentially viable was very, very small.

There are lots of kids in upper school that aren't returning since the closure. We aren't and there were plenty of viable schools that were close in size to SSFS.

Close in size is one thing, but close in proximity to where we are, and close in "vibe" was another. I'm sure a lot of families aren't returning, I was just saying my experience is that I don't think it's as easy for upper schoolers as for younger kids to find another school.

Agree it has not been easy to find a similar upper school. We will probably leave but for different size school and different vibe in DC because it’s too hard to stay for upper school without guarantees. College is 2 years away and DC needs to be ready and I can’t wait around to see if SSFS will turn itself around. DC really doesn’t want to leave, but school still has too many unanswered questions and not sure I trust the administration anymore. Not to mention, if everything were going so well, there wouldn’t be teachers writing us emails to stay.

Why make teachers solicit students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let’s just say it’s not a number I picked out of the air and it’s not a secret if you’re on the inside.

It seems unlikely to me - and we are a family that is not returning but still hopes the school survives - that SSFS could have lost so many kids in a lower school grade. They just gave contracts to the whole lower school faculty which to me implies they have their lower school enrollments and don't have what they hope for when it comes to middle and upper school.

Yep. Unfortunately I do not think they have anywhere near what they were hoping for for upper school.

And contracts aren't due back yet, so there are likely still families on the fence, or waiting to hear from other schools. It seems MUCH easier to switch schools in lower and middle than in upper school if families are looking at other private schools - we thought about it when the closure first happened and the list of schools that were even potentially viable was very, very small.

There are lots of kids in upper school that aren't returning since the closure. We aren't and there were plenty of viable schools that were close in size to SSFS.

Close in size is one thing, but close in proximity to where we are, and close in "vibe" was another. I'm sure a lot of families aren't returning, I was just saying my experience is that I don't think it's as easy for upper schoolers as for younger kids to find another school.

Agree it has not been easy to find a similar upper school. We will probably leave but for different size school and different vibe in DC because it’s too hard to stay for upper school without guarantees. College is 2 years away and DC needs to be ready and I can’t wait around to see if SSFS will turn itself around. DC really doesn’t want to leave, but school still has too many unanswered questions and not sure I trust the administration anymore. Not to mention, if everything were going so well, there wouldn’t be teachers writing us emails to stay.

Good luck to you and your DC! I hope that your family finds a school that works for you, whether that's SSFS or elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let’s just say it’s not a number I picked out of the air and it’s not a secret if you’re on the inside.

It seems unlikely to me - and we are a family that is not returning but still hopes the school survives - that SSFS could have lost so many kids in a lower school grade. They just gave contracts to the whole lower school faculty which to me implies they have their lower school enrollments and don't have what they hope for when it comes to middle and upper school.

Yep. Unfortunately I do not think they have anywhere near what they were hoping for for upper school.

And contracts aren't due back yet, so there are likely still families on the fence, or waiting to hear from other schools. It seems MUCH easier to switch schools in lower and middle than in upper school if families are looking at other private schools - we thought about it when the closure first happened and the list of schools that were even potentially viable was very, very small.

There are lots of kids in upper school that aren't returning since the closure. We aren't and there were plenty of viable schools that were close in size to SSFS.

Close in size is one thing, but close in proximity to where we are, and close in "vibe" was another. I'm sure a lot of families aren't returning, I was just saying my experience is that I don't think it's as easy for upper schoolers as for younger kids to find another school.

Agree it has not been easy to find a similar upper school. We will probably leave but for different size school and different vibe in DC because it’s too hard to stay for upper school without guarantees. College is 2 years away and DC needs to be ready and I can’t wait around to see if SSFS will turn itself around. DC really doesn’t want to leave, but school still has too many unanswered questions and not sure I trust the administration anymore. Not to mention, if everything were going so well, there wouldn’t be teachers writing us emails to stay.

Good luck to you and your DC! I hope that your family finds a school that works for you, whether that's SSFS or elsewhere.

Thank you PP. It is a very difficult decision because as I said, DC loves the school and we were happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

Have they talked about what their plan is? Are they combining classes in LS? How will they handle the situation in US. There are schools that do well with that size enrollment, but their curriculum is totally different to reflect that, their sports work differently, etc . . .

Or are they just praying that they'll get more enrollments?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:And both can be false. And we’ll never know since no transparency exists

THIS IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE. And how anyone can send their child back there because of this, I don't get.

Leadership and the BOT will have to give the best speech ever with real answers presented on Monday. I'm about to sign a contract for another school, but they are allowing me to wait until Tuesday morning.

I for one, don’t plan to be swayed by any speech even if it’s the best in history. Besides I knew a guy who gave amazing speeches, about possums, Dorothy and Beyoncé. So I’ve got no time for speeches.

But cold hard facts and numbers, presented with provable documentation. I’ll listen to that.

Not the opossum! Lololol

https://wildlifeinformer.com/opossum-vs-possum/

*the more you know.gif*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

I can tell you this is absolutely false information. I know how many have enrolled in one of the US grades and that number alone for just one out of the 4 grades in upper school would make your number false. Show proof or stop stirring the pot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

FALSE. There are over 70 kids already enrolled just for the rising 11th and 12 grade. That still leaves the rising 10th graders and rising 9th graders who have already enrolled to increase that number. AND there is still a week to go. Numbers will move after Monday's meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

I can tell you this is absolutely false information. I know how many have enrolled in one of the US grades and that number alone for just one out of the 4 grades in upper school would make your number false. Show proof or stop stirring the pot.

Why can’t you say what the real number is then and what your source is? Wouldn’t that “refute” the false claim? Better yet, why doesn’t the school provide updates since this is on everyone’s mind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

I can tell you this is absolutely false information. I know how many have enrolled in one of the US grades and that number alone for just one out of the 4 grades in upper school would make your number false. Show proof or stop stirring the pot.

Why can’t you say what the real number is then and what your source is? Wouldn’t that “refute” the false claim? Better yet, why doesn’t the school provide updates since this is on everyone’s mind?

Why won't the OP provide a source? And if you want information from the school because you're an actual SSFS parent, then you know where and how to tune in on Monday.

[Anonymous]

Not sure about other grades but 10th grade parents filled out a Google form to have an estimate of how many were staying, leaving, or unsure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" ... the DCUM forum leans heavily towards those who already left yet are still disgruntled along with those who are undecided and rightly angry about all that has happened. Slack leans heavily towards those who are staying and those who are undecided but looking for reasons to stay. The shame in all this is that the two camps can't seem to find a way to converse without gaslighting each other. A sign of the times I guess but very very sad."

Well said!

In actual news, BOT says that the Friends of SSFS will get to nominate three members, and that the new HOS will start in a few weeks.

IMO, the BOT openings should also consider the wider community, not just the Friends of SSFS members. Like it or not, they haven't been as forthcoming with information either, and there are parents who don't trust their motives either.

Just my opinion.

The Friends of SSFS get a free pass from me for a little while longer. They did mobilize and save the school. And, I am of the opinion that they are not permitted to divulge some of the information that you may be seeking. But since you did put put a statement out there speaking on behalf of parents who you allege don't trust their motives, I am seriously asking for you to follow up by sharing with us what you suspect their motives might be?

But we don't even know that they saved the school yet. Have the pledges become real money in hand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

I can tell you this is absolutely false information. I know how many have enrolled in one of the US grades and that number alone for just one out of the 4 grades in upper school would make your number false. Show proof or stop stirring the pot.

Why can’t you say what the real number is then and what your source is? Wouldn’t that “refute” the false claim? Better yet, why doesn’t the school provide updates since this is on everyone’s mind?

Why won't the OP provide a source? And if you want information from the school because you're an actual SSFS parent, then you know where and how to tune in on Monday.

Everything here is unsubstantiated. There are no sources but "I'm an insider, trust me" variety. I agree we wouldn't be posting on anon boards if the administration would just provide the information to us. They know what the incoming numbers are at the moment.

That's all we want. Communication and straightforward about SSFS' reality. They don't even have to wait until Monday. Just put it out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Approximately 70 kids are enrolled in the US.
4 in 4th grade at this time.
Yes LS contracts are extended and yes they can be terminated at any time.

FALSE. There are over 70 kids already enrolled just for the rising 11th and 12 grade. That still leaves the rising 10th graders and rising 9th graders who have already enrolled to increase that number. AND there is still a week to go. Numbers will move after Monday's meeting.

False. The majority have signed but not paid deposit

[Anonymous]

If we don’t get to 275, will the school not open?