Check the NAIS website for the tuition binding date for your school and notify the school in writing before that date. You will forfeit the deposit, but not be responsible for tuition if you withdraw before the binding date. Most schools will pursue the tuition if you withdraw after the binding date and they can do so even if the spot is later filled.

http://www.independenteducation.org/File%20Library/Unassigned/Admission-Dates-Survey-Results-in-pre-pdf-format.pdf

OP, I am an administrator at an independent school and have had my position at two different independent schools. I do think that the school will go after you for the money.. most schools would. That said, it's all about how you spin it. If I were you, I would go on the offensive. Act like you are considering legal action against them for whatever incidents have happened- maybe even have an attorney friend write a letter. If you make it believable enough, which is not hard to do, I guarantee that they will happily let you out of the contract with no problem. You may even get your deposit back. As much as they do not want to lose money, they REALLY do not want a lawsuit or bad publicity. Good luck!

OP accidents do happen. And the school tend to way down play them. I do not think it is troll -- private schools are small towns.

I think they will probably go after you for the full amount. most schools do, actually. And you'd quickly run up many thousands in lawyers fees. At a minimum do you want a hit on your credit rating?

I'd try to stick it out -- share concerns over safety if need be, and don't participate in field trips, and look for options or 2014. Day to day, can it really be unsafe? Recess is recess, basically, unless there's fear the kids will fall in a pond or something while unsupervised?

Op, do you also have the option to purchase tuition insurance? I understand that's wat some families had to do to get most of their money back. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, posters. My DH feels like we should have one more meeting with them to express our concern before full withdrawl. Sigh. I am not a confrontational person and dread having to be face to face, even though I feel strongly that my concerns are valid. I have tried all year to be accommodating, but once my child was hurt I took a hard look and could not rationalize any longer.

There is nothing on the school website about withdrawing. For posters wondering, this is a small school in a rural-ish area, not one of the schools usually discussed on this board. I do suspect that some of the parents read this site, though, maybe not specifically this forum. Who knows.

Still thinking over options.

If you are not confrontational, then please let your husband take over this. You are talking about the SAFETY of your child, and yet you're just ok with waffling around and never saying anything? Be an active advocate for your child, whether it makes you uncomfortable or not. It's not about you, it's about your KID.

I know you are right--100%. I was just so upset after his injury it happened I was afraid I would not be able to calmly communicate--I realize now I should have had my DH talk with them if I felt that way. I am always afraid that my behavior will reflect badly on my kid and that it will affect his relationship with the teacher. I know that should take a backseat to his safety--I should have said something at the time, and after the other incidents that gave me pause.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, posters. My DH feels like we should have one more meeting with them to express our concern before full withdrawl. Sigh. I am not a confrontational person and dread having to be face to face, even though I feel strongly that my concerns are valid. I have tried all year to be accommodating, but once my child was hurt I took a hard look and could not rationalize any longer.

There is nothing on the school website about withdrawing. For posters wondering, this is a small school in a rural-ish area, not one of the schools usually discussed on this board. I do suspect that some of the parents read this site, though, maybe not specifically this forum. Who knows.

Still thinking over options.

If you are not confrontational, then please let your husband take over this. You are talking about the SAFETY of your child, and yet you're just ok with waffling around and never saying anything? Be an active advocate for your child, whether it makes you uncomfortable or not. It's not about you, it's about your KID.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know - this smells troll-y to me.

What school has a once page contract? What school starts payments in September?

OP uses odd words - "we're sad." Which I guess isn't that odd, but what is odd is a complete unwillingness to document. You mentioned something seemed unsafe and they said it was the way they've always done it. Have you attempted any sort of resolution to nay of the problems you've identified, or attempted to discuss it with school leadership?

I think either you're not in the DC area, or this is a total troll. Otherwise my advice is grow a pair and man up - address this all directly, not so passively.

I'm not a troll--this is all true. I'm just being cage-y because I don't want to disclose too much. It's a small school not in the immediate area, not one of the schools usually discussed here.

Thanks, posters. My DH feels like we should have one more meeting with them to express our concern before full withdrawl. Sigh. I am not a confrontational person and dread having to be face to face, even though I feel strongly that my concerns are valid. I have tried all year to be accommodating, but once my child was hurt I took a hard look and could not rationalize any longer.

There is nothing on the school website about withdrawing. For posters wondering, this is a small school in a rural-ish area, not one of the schools usually discussed on this board. I do suspect that some of the parents read this site, though, maybe not specifically this forum. Who knows.

Still thinking over options.

OP, I definitely agree with those that urge you to communicate formally in writing that you are withdrawing your child as soon as possible ... you want to give the school time to find a replacement for your child, as that is your best chance for them to refund you your full tuition. I also agree that you should quickly contact a lawyer who might help you phrase your letter in the most advantageous way. Don't go in there loaded for bull ... just politely and formally state your intentions and see how the school responds before deciding next steps.

I don't know - this smells troll-y to me.

What school has a once page contract? What school starts payments in September?

OP uses odd words - "we're sad." Which I guess isn't that odd, but what is odd is a complete unwillingness to document. You mentioned something seemed unsafe and they said it was the way they've always done it. Have you attempted any sort of resolution to nay of the problems you've identified, or attempted to discuss it with school leadership?

I think either you're not in the DC area, or this is a total troll. Otherwise my advice is grow a pair and man up - address this all directly, not so passively.

Some schools definitely imply that you are still liable for the full amount if you sign the contract. (regardless of refund) I think there might be some support in law if you do not attend at all.

OP: Of course, but did you check the school website? Ours is so complicated that I would not be able to find it, but it might be on there someplace.

OP, please ask to meet with the Head of School, and also submit a letter to them in writing beforehand politely stating your intention to withdraw and perhaps the reason why (safety concerns).

State to them in person, and in your letter, that other than your rendered deposit, you expect not to have to pay the School any further amount for next year's tuition.

Submit both your letter and meeting immediately this week, so that you have given the school plenty of notice.

If your child was not seriously hurt, I would not pursue a lawsuit as those are expensive and may get you labeled a nuisance in the private schools community. I would however mention your safety concerns/incidents so that the school is as eager to let you out of your contract, as you are to leave the school.

By the way, as most of the well-known DC privates specifically include a withdraw before date in their contracts, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing that it is not one of those! Good luck OP.

I would review the Parent handbook as well. I would copy thr Board of Trustees or their counsel on your letter and make it clear that it is your understanding you have forfeited only the deposit, you should also talk to a lawyer in case you have a good counter claim if they threaten to sue you that could then lead to a settlement.

GL