Franklin Montessori Darnestown Rd, MD closed for 3 months, no proactive tuition adjustments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: PP is a troll

Which PP, and how so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Franklin parent who asked for reduced monthly rate and got a discount, I am sorry to hear other families have not been treated the same. I completely understand your frustration. We ended up withdrawing for the rest of the school year and don't know about the fall. Have they released the revised enrollment agreement for 20-21?

They did. It's basically written to say you must pay for the entire year's tuition regardless of any future shutdowns. Or you can pay $1100 - $2200 for an insurance plan that will provide a 50%-100% CREDIT for time missed. DO NOT SIGN.

Yikes. Are parents going through with this? Pushing back? This is disappointing, we really loved our teacher and had had such a positive experience at the school before all of this.

Some are because they feel they are stuck. The school never gave refunds so many are left with several thousands in credits. Even still many families have left because the stress was not worth it. They've lost the trust of many families. Contracts signed earlier in the year have been unilaterally voided so you either sign the new one or leave the school. Take it or leave it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Franklin parent who asked for reduced monthly rate and got a discount, I am sorry to hear other families have not been treated the same. I completely understand your frustration. We ended up withdrawing for the rest of the school year and don't know about the fall. Have they released the revised enrollment agreement for 20-21?

They did. It's basically written to say you must pay for the entire year's tuition regardless of any future shutdowns. Or you can pay $1100 - $2200 for an insurance plan that will provide a 50%-100% CREDIT for time missed. DO NOT SIGN.

Yikes. Are parents going through with this? Pushing back? This is disappointing, we really loved our teacher and had had such a positive experience at the school before all of this.

Some are because they feel they are stuck. The school never gave refunds so many are left with several thousands in credits. Even still many families have left because the stress was not worth it. They've lost the trust of many families. Contracts signed earlier in the year have been unilaterally voided so you either sign the new one or leave the school. Take it or leave it.

** Did the administration say they will be offering a credit to those who have not received any refund? I don't think there would be as much outrage if the administration was more transparent on how they are planning to make families whole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Franklin parent who asked for reduced monthly rate and got a discount, I am sorry to hear other families have not been treated the same. I completely understand your frustration. We ended up withdrawing for the rest of the school year and don't know about the fall. Have they released the revised enrollment agreement for 20-21?

They did. It's basically written to say you must pay for the entire year's tuition regardless of any future shutdowns. Or you can pay $1100 - $2200 for an insurance plan that will provide a 50%-100% CREDIT for time missed. DO NOT SIGN.

Yikes. Are parents going through with this? Pushing back? This is disappointing, we really loved our teacher and had had such a positive experience at the school before all of this.

Some are because they feel they are stuck. The school never gave refunds so many are left with several thousands in credits. Even still many families have left because the stress was not worth it. They've lost the trust of many families. Contracts signed earlier in the year have been unilaterally voided so you either sign the new one or leave the school. Take it or leave it.

** Did the administration say they will be offering a credit to those who have not received any refund? I don't think there would be as much outrage if the administration was more transparent on how they are planning to make families whole.

That's this issue. No one is being made whole. Whole to Franklin is charging full tuition for distance learning 30 minutes a day, if that. Doesn't matter even if your child is an infant. If you normally pay for extended hours - early drop off or late pick up, Franklin is still charging full price for that too.

[Anonymous]

Wow!! That’s outrageous. I will withdraw.

[Anonymous]

Former Aidan parent here. Aidan also totally ripped off parents. No refunds for spring, disastrous online learning and demanded full upfront payment for next year, with zero possibility of a refund if the school is closed. How does that make any sense for toddlers or preschoolers? Maybe being a jerk runs in the Montessori family!

[Anonymous]

Definitely for these two schools! Are you sure they're not owned by the same people?

[Anonymous]

File a complaint with the MD Attorney General. This is unethical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:File a complaint with the MD Attorney General. This is unethical.

What? I agree the policy isn’t the best but it’s not illegal.

[Anonymous]

Umm yes it’s illegal to enter into a contract for a service and the service provider fails to provide his end of the bargain but won’t refund your money. If this is fine then please send me a check for $4,000 and I’ll call it a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Umm yes it’s illegal to enter into a contract for a service and the service provider fails to provide his end of the bargain but won’t refund your money. If this is fine then please send me a check for $4,000 and I’ll call it a day.

You are obviously not a lawyer. There is typically language in a contract that ensures the preschool is covered during a situation like this. It would read “ Acts if God” or “ Force Majeure“ or “pandemic”. Stop advising what’s legal and not unless you are an attorney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umm yes it’s illegal to enter into a contract for a service and the service provider fails to provide his end of the bargain but won’t refund your money. If this is fine then please send me a check for $4,000 and I’ll call it a day.

You are obviously not a lawyer. There is typically language in a contract that ensures the preschool is covered during a situation like this. It would read “ Acts if God” or “ Force Majeure“ or “pandemic”. Stop advising what’s legal and not unless you are an attorney.

Except there isn't any such language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Umm yes it’s illegal to enter into a contract for a service and the service provider fails to provide his end of the bargain but won’t refund your money. If this is fine then please send me a check for $4,000 and I’ll call it a day.

You are obviously not a lawyer. There is typically language in a contract that ensures the preschool is covered during a situation like this. It would read “ Acts if God” or “ Force Majeure“ or “pandemic”. Stop advising what’s legal and not unless you are an attorney.

I agree with PP. I hope you are taking the take time to look elsewhere for sound advice. This thread is not necessarily helpful. It gives posters the opportunity to bash Franklin Montessori- people who do not have children there and just want to add fuel to the fire. I am not on the side of Franklin. However, if you have issues with the school, don't rely on DC Moms for advice... who really knows who these anonymous posters are???

[Anonymous]

Isn't that the point of a forum like this? To get advice and recommendations? The reader needs to determine what's helpful and what's not. Really, I don't see it much different than yelp or google reviews. I wouldn't make a decision of sending my kid to Franklin based solely on dcurbanmom but I would definitely investigate further based on the comments written here.

[Anonymous]

Any update on this school? Are they working with any parents?