What Happens If You Withdraw Your Child?
"I actually have a question rather than a comment. My son is currently attending a private Catholic school which is not working out for him. He recently was accepted mid year to a much better (although more expensive) Accelerated Episcopal School, mid year. He will start the new school in three days. What are my obligations to his current school? BTW I have not told them yet."
My response was:
Be careful about breaking your agreement with the old school. Contract law tends to be tough on us parents. They will require you to honor any written agreement as far as I know. That means you could end up paying fees to both schools.
My advice to every parent enrolling their children in private school at any level is to read the contract very carefully. Understand fully what your financial and other obligations are. Most schools offer tuition insurance in the event that your child is expelled or has to withdraw from the school for some reason. Buy it.
I am not an attorney. Consult a legal adviser before signing any contract you do not understand or have questions about.
Comments
Contract law tends to be tough on us parents.
I have a problem with this statement. Contract law is tough on both parties to a contract – not tough, actually, just expecting people and institutions to keep the contract promises they make.
When a family pulls out of a school at midyear, the expenses incurred by the school do not go away. The school cannot let staff (with whom they have a contract) go because the numbers are now lower. It cannot pay the food contractor (with whom it has a contract) less. It cannot return the books and supplies, etc., etc.
In my experience, schools try to be as sympathetic and cooperative as possible, but they have expenses that continue even when a family has moved on.
what obligation do schools have to the families they promise to serve in their best interest? if a school does not provide the rigor, safety, competent individuals they promise, what recourse is there? if the institution is not provide the service they promise, isn’t that a breach of contract on their part?
Thank you.