When Private Schools Circle the Wagons....

Dear Mr. Kennedy... My son is 12 years old who attended a private school in Delaware until this year. In the summer we informed his school that we are moving outside of the country for a couple of years and that he would not be going to 7th grade at that school. As a result, his spot was given to another student.

In the middle of August, we had a change of plans and decided to stay in the US. I contacted the school and was told that there are no rooms in the 7th grade. As a result I contacted another private school (let's call it School B) for admissions. My son and I met with the director of admissions and provided her with my son's national test scores and report cards. She advised us that although the 7th grade classes are full, the school's policy is always to make room for exceptional students like my son. She assured me that she sees no issues with admission and that I need not to look into other schools. At a follow-up telephone conversation I was advised that the recommendation forms from the previous school has not been submitted yet. Those are the only things holding up the process and not to worry about anything. Two weeks later I was contacted by School B's director of admissions that they had received the previous school's documentation and my son was declined admissions to the school.

Totally surprised by the outcome, and close to start of the school year, I contacted another private school (let's call it C). The director of admissions advised me over the phone that there were several openings in the 7th grade level and they are still taking new applications for admissions. We completed the application and met with the director of admissions. He was very impressed with my son and assured us that there will be no issues with the admissions and that he would let us know in a couple of days.

I contacted him again in a few days and was told that I shouldn't worry about anything and they only thing holding up the process the previous schools recommendation forms. I contacted my son's old school and talked with the Middle School Director who assured me that everything is on track and the forms have been sent. The next day when I called school C's director of admissions, I was told that my son was refused admission. Unfortunately I was unable to obtain any valid reason for this decision.

Again, I called the Middle School Director of my son's previous school and was assured that there are nothing in the recommendation forms that have not been included in the report cards.

Mr. Kennedy, my son is a very good student and a wonderful individual. This is every person's impression of him when they meet and/or get to know him. He is very polite and considerate. At school, he was always assigned to help the teachers and other students with their assignments. He is now enrolled in a public school that will not provide him with half of what he has been used to since kindergarten. Based on information in your site, it seems like these private schools can do as they please. Are there any legal avenues we can take to get him into these schools? Please help us. Thanks.

My response:

My goodness! Unfortunately private schools can pick and choose who they will admit. And I doubt that you have any legal recourse to counter their decisions.

It's kind of like somebody knocking on your front door. YOU and you alone decide if the person at the door will be admitted into your home.

I am not sure what good a lawyer would do in any case. If the schools don't want your son, he is better off where he is. Enrich his academic life with plenty of activities and courses. Keep him challenged. Then try again for Grades 9 or 10 if you choose.

Read Student's Rights for more on this subject.