Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 19:13     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:I miss Debbie as HOS


+1000!!!
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 18:59     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
I miss Debbie as HOS
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 18:15     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:
A prior post summed it up well: Any school worth its salt should be able to attract new students and endear itself to existing ones through word of mouth. This one doesn't seem to be able to. It isn't a demographic cliff or Covid bump or whatever amorphous force driving declining enrollment. That's just deflection. It stems from ineffective, reactionary, and, in many cases, mean-spirited leadership that has cut the heart out of what used to endear people to Lowell.


This is incredibly sad. We loved Lowell. But we pulled our kid from the school some years ago because of concerns with its governance. Perhaps this crisis would finally force the powers that be at Lowell to support the needs of the actual school (families, students, staff and faculty). Instead of focusing the bulk of their energies on cheerleading and shoring up the over-promoted, incompetent HOS who unbelievably is still there.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 16:52     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
The in-demand schools are as in-demand as ever. The fledgling schools and those without a strong reputation are seeing fewer “any private will do” families, which has been their go-to for the last 5-10 years.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 15:12     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
There is definitely a birth rate dip that many schools are seeing in the area--some are adjusting enrollment targets because of this.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 14:29     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:Agree with this. While there might be grades with some softness, a school like Lowell missing its target is a Lowell issue, not a demographic issue. Which is really sad, because it really is (was?) a great school.


Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Lowell missed its enrollment target by dozens and has to make up at least $1M to float next year.


Is under enrollment a Lowell issue, or a general trend seen in the area’s other independent schools?


According to the parents who applied for Kindergarten this year, I would say under enrollment is NOT a problem at other independent schools...


I think was is probably a better statement. It doe have a gorgeous campus...
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 14:26     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Agree with this. While there might be grades with some softness, a school like Lowell missing its target is a Lowell issue, not a demographic issue. Which is really sad, because it really is (was?) a great school.


Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Lowell missed its enrollment target by dozens and has to make up at least $1M to float next year.


Is under enrollment a Lowell issue, or a general trend seen in the area’s other independent schools?


According to the parents who applied for Kindergarten this year, I would say under enrollment is NOT a problem at other independent schools...
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 14:20     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Lowell missed its enrollment target by dozens and has to make up at least $1M to float next year.


Is under enrollment a Lowell issue, or a general trend seen in the area’s other independent schools?


According to the parents who applied for Kindergarten this year, I would say under enrollment is NOT a problem at other independent schools...
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 14:09     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Lowell missed its enrollment target by dozens and has to make up at least $1M to float next year.


Is under enrollment a Lowell issue, or a general trend seen in the area’s other independent schools?


A prior post summed it up well: Any school worth it's salt should be able to attract new students and endear itself to existing ones through word of mouth. This one doesn't seem to be able to. It isn't a demographic cliff or Covid bump or whatever amorphous force driving declining enrollment. That's just deflection. It stems from ineffective, reactionary, and, in many cases, mean-spirited leadership that has cut the heart out of what used to endear people to Lowell.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 12:11     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:Lowell missed its enrollment target by dozens and has to make up at least $1M to float next year.


Is under enrollment a Lowell issue, or a general trend seen in the area’s other independent schools?
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 08:41     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Lowell missed its enrollment target by dozens and has to make up at least $1M to float next year.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2026 11:57     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:Teachers got their contracts. The delay sucked but it’s water under the bridge now.


LOL!!! Nothing to see here, just STHO now and pay your tuition like good little snowflakes
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2026 11:34     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Teachers got their contracts. The delay sucked but it’s water under the bridge now.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2026 11:08     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Those salaries seem entirely reasonable and actually less than I would have expected.


Right. There are just too many administrative positions for a school of this size. There's definitely fat to be cut. The key question here is: if these salaries are so reasonable, isn't that even more reason to question why the school can't operate normally? Not only should faculty have been secure in knowing their jobs were safe for next year at least a month ago, they should not have to be strung along each year while they wait for "offer letters" that may not come. This is NOT how teachers should be treated, and I don't care if "everyone else is doing it" or "that's just the way things are." Ok, well they shouldn't be that way. Teachers should be the priority at any functional school, and the fact that they aren't at this point is a very, very bad sign.

Any school worth it's salt should be able to attract new students and endear itself to existing ones through word of mouth. This one doesn't seem to be able to. It isn't a demographic cliff or Covid bump or whatever amorphous force driving declining enrollment. That's just deflection. It stems from ineffective, reactionary, and, in many cases, mean-spirited leadership that has cut the heart out of what used to endear people to Lowell. Legendary faculty who had been there for years? Cut out at the knees. Innovative curriculum that could have inspired WaPo articles or institutes devoted to progressive educational models? In the garbage can. Long-term families who could have acted as generational ambassadors and inspire generational giving? Antagonized and pushed out. Lowell has a choice now. It can continue on its current trajectory or it could take all of this as a flashing red warning, clean house, and bring in new leaders that actually know what a school's priorities should be.


IME this is just how things are. There are no tenured faculty jobs. As a courtesy, the School will probably quietly let you know by February or March if you need to look elsewhere.
Anonymous
Post 04/22/2026 10:24     Subject: Lowell School Delaying Employee Contracts
Anonymous wrote:My kid is going to Lowell for summer camp this year and I went to the camp open house. I wasn't expecting a full court press on Lowell admissions, but I got one.


Lol well welcome to our newly appointed DCUM reporter!

Don't hold back! What is the 411?