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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I work in admissions - not in a Big 5 - but in a school in the DMV. I have mentioned this before, but [b]a trend we have noticed is families with more children (3-4) in the younger grades that result in over half of our kindergarten slots being taking by siblings[/b]. These families are also more likely to have high levels of continued enrollment. If they have several children enrolled and happy, they are less likely to leave on a whim. This results in fewer openings in non expansion years (natural churn rates are at an all time low for us).

Another trend we have noticed with schools in similar size and philosophy is that they are shrinking grades by a seat or two to bring teacher ratios down. I’ll note these were already low but parent surveys have indicated it was a priority. We had to up tuition to cover 2 less seats per grade. These seats were removed due to attrition; we didn’t kick people out just for lower ratios.

Our applications were also at record high numbers. Not all were good fits, but as others have mentioned, we could have filled new classes with excellent candidates we just didn’t have room for. [/quote]

This is unfortunate.  It just makes the schools more and more insular.[/quote]

Strongly disagree. As a parent with 4 kids, I would argue it is good business. I would be furious if my 3rd or 4th didn’t get into kindergarten at a school to which we have committed so much time and money. Of course, this is assuming the siblings are all qualified. [/quote]

Good for business, bad for diversity.  Totally understand that you would be furious, but your family is taking all the good stuff for themselves.  [/quote]

Parents with children in independent schools should reevaluate every year whether that school is a fit for their child. No argument with that.

However, people who place their kids, threaten to take them out, have the kids announce they are only staying for this year until they get into x school, etc. are disruptive and require  lots of personnel time to admit replacement candidates. They are not bonuses to the school community. You may not be those people, but a known family is a safer bet.

If you want to complain about people hogging resources, look at the advanced capitalism which is squeezing everyone for profit that doesn’t trickle down. A family that sends three kids to a school supports the stability of the school. That allows some other people of lesser resources benefits from the school.
 Is it fair? No. Is it right that some people have so much and most people have so little? No.

A little school trying to remain solvent needs those multi-kid families. If you prefer the school not exist at all, that’s a fair viewpoint.

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