SSFS Will Stay Open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOW. This is so passive aggressive and grotesque to try and call out an ANONYMOUS poster by claiming yo know who they are and even referring to their child as "her". Shame on you. How about we all go digging to find out who YOU are!

But it's not passive aggressive to gang up on specific Board members on here because you feel you can't do it on Slack? Sounds like you just want an echo chamber and that's not what will help undecided parents.

FWIW - I found the “I know who you are” jarring too.

+1000!

[Anonymous]

Who has the time to compare DCUM posts to Slack? And why are you trying to intimidate people into silence? I agree that both sides haven't always been respectful in tone, but this is some middle school behavior right here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who has the time to compare DCUM posts to Slack? And why are you trying to intimidate people into silence? I agree that both sides haven't always been respectful in tone, but this is some middle school behavior right here.

+1 Shameful in it's attempt to covertly intimidate. The very definition of passive aggressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

So either
1) there is a local school admin on DCUM during the workday posting childish threats that private schools can figure out what you post on an anonymous message board and will hold it against you and your child…
OR
2) someone is pretending to be a school admin and posting childish threats on a thread about a school they have no connection to.

This reminds me of the poster in the SSFS Closing thread who first pretended to be a parent, then some kind of community member, then admitted to being neither, and ended up calling kids “rejects,” and even when asked to stop with the insults *by an actual student* still couldn’t help themselves.

DCUM can be useful place to vent and to glean some info that hasn’t yet been released, but there are clearly people using this forum for their own entertainment or to work through some deep-rooted personal issues.

I didn't read that thread, but just want to point out that you're stirring up s**t too. Why bring up old drama?

In any case, I'm working right now and am taking a break on DCUM. Maybe this unnamed administrator did the same? You're just making SSFS community look bad. I agree with the poster who said we need to focus on the future. Which means right now giving space to undecided families to ask the last minute questions before making a decision.

I’m actually an undecided family (I have put off the offer on the other school until tomorrow) and my question is not so much about the 25-26 school year but the 26-27 year. What happens if more people leave. Is there a number where BOT decide to close? This is the uncertainty that has kept me up at night especially since I have a high schooler.

Unfortunately, I think next year’s enrollment will consist of a lot of families that only came back to give themselves time to look for a new school. I think the 20/6–27 school year will reflect that and the school will be in rough shape. It won’t have had time to build up trust from the larger community in terms of brand new families enrolling.

Without a doubt, I would be very afraid to enroll my high schooler at SSFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

So either
1) there is a local school admin on DCUM during the workday posting childish threats that private schools can figure out what you post on an anonymous message board and will hold it against you and your child…
OR
2) someone is pretending to be a school admin and posting childish threats on a thread about a school they have no connection to.

This reminds me of the poster in the SSFS Closing thread who first pretended to be a parent, then some kind of community member, then admitted to being neither, and ended up calling kids “rejects,” and even when asked to stop with the insults *by an actual student* still couldn’t help themselves.

DCUM can be useful place to vent and to glean some info that hasn’t yet been released, but there are clearly people using this forum for their own entertainment or to work through some deep-rooted personal issues.

I didn't read that thread, but just want to point out that you're stirring up s**t too. Why bring up old drama?

In any case, I'm working right now and am taking a break on DCUM. Maybe this unnamed administrator did the same? You're just making SSFS community look bad. I agree with the poster who said we need to focus on the future. Which means right now giving space to undecided families to ask the last minute questions before making a decision.

I’m actually an undecided family (I have put off the offer on the other school until tomorrow) and my question is not so much about the 25-26 school year but the 26-27 year. What happens if more people leave. Is there a number where BOT decide to close? This is the uncertainty that has kept me up at night especially since I have a high schooler.

Unfortunately, I think next year’s enrollment will consist of a lot of families that only came back to give themselves time to look for a new school. I think the 20/6–27 school year will reflect that and the school will be in rough shape. It won’t have had time to build up trust from the larger community in terms of brand new families enrolling.

Without a doubt, I would be very afraid to enroll my high schooler at SSFS.

+1

The families that I know that are returning, are doing so for the very reasons you wrote. Giving themselves a little more time to find a long-term situation versus this year by year, let’s keep our fingers crossed situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

So either
1) there is a local school admin on DCUM during the workday posting childish threats that private schools can figure out what you post on an anonymous message board and will hold it against you and your child…
OR
2) someone is pretending to be a school admin and posting childish threats on a thread about a school they have no connection to.

This reminds me of the poster in the SSFS Closing thread who first pretended to be a parent, then some kind of community member, then admitted to being neither, and ended up calling kids “rejects,” and even when asked to stop with the insults *by an actual student* still couldn’t help themselves.

DCUM can be useful place to vent and to glean some info that hasn’t yet been released, but there are clearly people using this forum for their own entertainment or to work through some deep-rooted personal issues.

I didn't read that thread, but just want to point out that you're stirring up s**t too. Why bring up old drama?

In any case, I'm working right now and am taking a break on DCUM. Maybe this unnamed administrator did the same? You're just making SSFS community look bad. I agree with the poster who said we need to focus on the future. Which means right now giving space to undecided families to ask the last minute questions before making a decision.

I’m actually an undecided family (I have put off the offer on the other school until tomorrow) and my question is not so much about the 25-26 school year but the 26-27 year. What happens if more people leave. Is there a number where BOT decide to close? This is the uncertainty that has kept me up at night especially since I have a high schooler.

Unfortunately, I think next year’s enrollment will consist of a lot of families that only came back to give themselves time to look for a new school. I think the 20/6–27 school year will reflect that and the school will be in rough shape. It won’t have had time to build up trust from the larger community in terms of brand new families enrolling.

Without a doubt, I would be very afraid to enroll my high schooler at SSFS.

+1

The families that I know that are returning, are doing so for the very reasons you wrote. Giving themselves a little more time to find a long-term situation versus this year by year, let’s keep our fingers crossed situation.

Yes, for us my child's new school may very well be temporary too. It was too rushed of a process to figure out best fit for 2025-26. I'm going to use the summer and next Fall to figure out where to apply for 2026-27. If you have a current Junior, you don't have this luxury of time, but for us, it made more sense to leave now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

So either
1) there is a local school admin on DCUM during the workday posting childish threats that private schools can figure out what you post on an anonymous message board and will hold it against you and your child…
OR
2) someone is pretending to be a school admin and posting childish threats on a thread about a school they have no connection to.

This reminds me of the poster in the SSFS Closing thread who first pretended to be a parent, then some kind of community member, then admitted to being neither, and ended up calling kids “rejects,” and even when asked to stop with the insults *by an actual student* still couldn’t help themselves.

DCUM can be useful place to vent and to glean some info that hasn’t yet been released, but there are clearly people using this forum for their own entertainment or to work through some deep-rooted personal issues.

I didn't read that thread, but just want to point out that you're stirring up s**t too. Why bring up old drama?

In any case, I'm working right now and am taking a break on DCUM. Maybe this unnamed administrator did the same? You're just making SSFS community look bad. I agree with the poster who said we need to focus on the future. Which means right now giving space to undecided families to ask the last minute questions before making a decision.

I’m actually an undecided family (I have put off the offer on the other school until tomorrow) and my question is not so much about the 25-26 school year but the 26-27 year. What happens if more people leave. Is there a number where BOT decide to close? This is the uncertainty that has kept me up at night especially since I have a high schooler.

Unfortunately, I think next year’s enrollment will consist of a lot of families that only came back to give themselves time to look for a new school. I think the 20/6–27 school year will reflect that and the school will be in rough shape. It won’t have had time to build up trust from the larger community in terms of brand new families enrolling.

Without a doubt, I would be very afraid to enroll my high schooler at SSFS.

I disagree. High school parent here. At first I too was worried that a lot of families would only return for one year. I'm not worried about that anymore. This is not the sense I get from those that are returning. We got accepted to 4 other schools in the last few weeks. First of all, it actually wasn't that hard to do the looking. It was a rush for sure but the other schools were really easy to work with and welcoming. In fact, I wonder if they would have the time to be so attentive during the regular admission cycle. I think in many ways it actually worked to our advantage doing things outside of the cycle. My point is, it wasn't all that hard to look. It's not like a college search. There's only X amount of schools to look at in the DMV. I get the overwhelming sense that those staying are committed to staying. They either didn't choose to look once the school reopened because they want to be here. Or, they did look just as we did and even after admissions from other schools, we chose to come back. I'm not saying things won't be hard over the next few years to turn it all around but I am not at all worried anymore about another big enrollment hit after this upcoming year. I think the worst case scenario is that the enrollment stays flat for another year or to. I

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, never mind. I'm so done with all of this crap. We will NOT be re-enrolling. I sincerely wish the school well and what the coalition accomplished was amazing - I commend them. But the whole thing is weird and the way families (and teachers) have been treated (other than the coalition leadership who I guess are "in the know") has been unconscionable. We were accepted at another school and the fact that I held out until the day before should have been seen as a sign that we wanted to feel better about SSFS. We do not. The above post, the meeting on Monday, the fear of saying anything questioning or negative on slack, having to resort to this god-awful DCUM board - it's just been too much. IF "magical" was code for cult like then yeah - it's been "magical" this past month.

No one said not to ask questions or be negative. We're saying if you're mad at the Baord, be mad at all 24 of them who made the final call. And the many Board members over the years who have since left; their choices also got us here.

I think I have figured out who you are by comparing these posts to the Slack. How would you feel if someone started posting about you and saying the school's failure was all your fault because you pulled your kids out? Ignoring the hundreds of parents who have done the same over the past couple years? No one would do that, because this isn't a witch hunt on individuals. I imagine I'm not the only one who's uncomfortable with trying to turn it into one.

I agree this is not a great place to get concrete info (I joined mostly to call out misinfo when I see it) but there are Coalition 1-on-1 sessions today. Anything they can't answer, it's for legal/confidentiality reasons. People here love to make it look like there is no plan. Don't let them discourage you. But if you do ultimately leave, I wish you and your child the best. Her happiness is what's most important, wherever that is 🙂

WOW. This is so passive aggressive and grotesque to try and call out an ANONYMOUS poster by claiming yo know who they are and even referring to their child as "her". Shame on you. How about we all go digging to find out who YOU are!

+1
It’s creepy and feels vaguely threatening. I hope the person being addressed goes elsewhere than SSFS after this display of how the school’s boosters are monitoring and policing people’s posts. I would certainly not feel comfortable staying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOW. This is so passive aggressive and grotesque to try and call out an ANONYMOUS poster by claiming yo know who they are and even referring to their child as "her". Shame on you. How about we all go digging to find out who YOU are!

But it's not passive aggressive to gang up on specific Board members on here because you feel you can't do it on Slack? Sounds like you just want an echo chamber and that's not what will help undecided parents.

The BOT are responsible for what happened, not the parents including the parents who post here. There's a huge difference between calling out the entire BOT and/or some members and what you did in your post. Just as RG was fair game last summer to be called out and/or to question what really happened, so is the BOT fair game now because of the situation we find ourselves in. What you did in your post was absolutely shameful and the fact that you can't see the difference is hugely problematic if you are some sort of representative for the coalition or board.

+1 interesting how some are working so hard to defend and excuse certain people and certain things

[Anonymous]

I keep seeing BoT and HoS—but what about the coalition that is pushing this? How will they be held accountable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

So either
1) there is a local school admin on DCUM during the workday posting childish threats that private schools can figure out what you post on an anonymous message board and will hold it against you and your child…
OR
2) someone is pretending to be a school admin and posting childish threats on a thread about a school they have no connection to.

This reminds me of the poster in the SSFS Closing thread who first pretended to be a parent, then some kind of community member, then admitted to being neither, and ended up calling kids “rejects,” and even when asked to stop with the insults *by an actual student* still couldn’t help themselves.

DCUM can be useful place to vent and to glean some info that hasn’t yet been released, but there are clearly people using this forum for their own entertainment or to work through some deep-rooted personal issues.

I didn't read that thread, but just want to point out that you're stirring up s**t too. Why bring up old drama?

In any case, I'm working right now and am taking a break on DCUM. Maybe this unnamed administrator did the same? You're just making SSFS community look bad. I agree with the poster who said we need to focus on the future. Which means right now giving space to undecided families to ask the last minute questions before making a decision.

I’m actually an undecided family (I have put off the offer on the other school until tomorrow) and my question is not so much about the 25-26 school year but the 26-27 year. What happens if more people leave. Is there a number where BOT decide to close? This is the uncertainty that has kept me up at night especially since I have a high schooler.

I dont think anyone can answer this for you. the coalition will say it will be fine for 3 years. But it's not like they are accountable if it doesnt. You need to decide for yourself how you weigh the risk and if the worst happens and the school shrinks some more whether that will be acceptable to YOU or you're okay with leaving a year from now. I dont believe anyone can determnistically predict the outcome of the 3 year experiment. Sure, the angel donor with a blank check may provide the money, but do YOU want a possibly smaller class? less aminities that come with smaller classes (sports, eletives). if you're okay with that, probably low risk. If the school folds because the number of students dropped to under 100 for example, again are you okay with that? You'll have to jump ship next year instead of now. I am not trying to discourage you to stay or encourage you to leave. I think you just need to do a realistic "what if the worst happens next year" and see what makes you comfortable. there really is no way to know for sure how the school will be doing next year and anyone who tells you they KNOW would be lying to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

So either
1) there is a local school admin on DCUM during the workday posting childish threats that private schools can figure out what you post on an anonymous message board and will hold it against you and your child…
OR
2) someone is pretending to be a school admin and posting childish threats on a thread about a school they have no connection to.

This reminds me of the poster in the SSFS Closing thread who first pretended to be a parent, then some kind of community member, then admitted to being neither, and ended up calling kids “rejects,” and even when asked to stop with the insults *by an actual student* still couldn’t help themselves.

DCUM can be useful place to vent and to glean some info that hasn’t yet been released, but there are clearly people using this forum for their own entertainment or to work through some deep-rooted personal issues.

I didn't read that thread, but just want to point out that you're stirring up s**t too. Why bring up old drama?

In any case, I'm working right now and am taking a break on DCUM. Maybe this unnamed administrator did the same? You're just making SSFS community look bad. I agree with the poster who said we need to focus on the future. Which means right now giving space to undecided families to ask the last minute questions before making a decision.

I’m actually an undecided family (I have put off the offer on the other school until tomorrow) and my question is not so much about the 25-26 school year but the 26-27 year. What happens if more people leave. Is there a number where BOT decide to close? This is the uncertainty that has kept me up at night especially since I have a high schooler.

This is the perfect question to submit for the FAQs since it will benefit the larger community: https://www.ssfs.org/news-media/faqs-for-2025-2026. Also, the coalition leadership has made an offer to speak with any undecided families 1-on-1 if you DM them. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, why not email the US Head or the BOT Clerk directly? I think that's a safer bet than asking here, where those providing answers may not be who they say they are and are not always acting in good faith.

Unless someone has a crystal ball i dont think anyone can answer this question. they can hope for the best. How can the coaltion know if families will leave next year? or if new families will come? they can only hope. If they tell you 'it will be fine hang in there" that's just a lie.

No one can KNOW. we all have to decide what will we do if we are in this position next year again. if we are okay with that possibility we can stay. If not, we leave. No one can tell us what the student count will be for the 26-27 year period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOW. This is so passive aggressive and grotesque to try and call out an ANONYMOUS poster by claiming yo know who they are and even referring to their child as "her". Shame on you. How about we all go digging to find out who YOU are!

But it's not passive aggressive to gang up on specific Board members on here because you feel you can't do it on Slack? Sounds like you just want an echo chamber and that's not what will help undecided parents.

FWIW - I found the “I know who you are” jarring too.

“I know who you are” is always an intimidation tactic. Seems like this person is trying to silence any concerns rather than acknowledge or address them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing BoT and HoS—but what about the coalition that is pushing this? How will they be held accountable?

At the moment there's nothing to really hold them accountable for. They literally saved the school. However, the 3 coalition members that are set to join the BOT will not be held accountable as board members. I guess it depends on what administrative or operational influence the coalition has moving forward. In general, anyone who has influence or gets a seat at the decision making table should be held accountable. No ill will here. I'm thankful to the coalition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing BoT and HoS—but what about the coalition that is pushing this? How will they be held accountable?

At the moment there's nothing to really hold them accountable for. They literally saved the school. However, the 3 coalition members that are set to join the BOT will not be held accountable as board members. I guess it depends on what administrative or operational influence the coalition has moving forward. In general, anyone who has influence or gets a seat at the decision making table should be held accountable. No ill will here. I'm thankful to the coalition.

OOps. I meant to say that the 3 coalition members set to join the BOT *WILL* be held accountable just like the rest of the board.