Monsey schools - getting in and asking for tuition breaks

amother

Poppy

Sat, Jun 17 2023, 9:28 pm

amother Crimson wrote:

I didn’t have to pay a dime either. Apply to schools where you really fit in and if they have room they will accept you, those who have a hard time are applying to schools where they think they belong but actually dont. Or they are for real busting at their seams and can’t fit you in. Well said, Highstrung!
Op, if you want to explain your family type and which schools you are coming from we can give you suggestions.

Would you share what’s school

amother

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:10 am

Thanks for replies, everyone. Sorry for disappearing.

I actually did some RL research and heard a "down payment" horror story from someone close to me whom I trust. They were told for 15k "building fund donation" their child has a spot. This family might be considered comfortable - far from rich, though.

I'm looking for fully chassidish schools, boys and girls elementary school age. I have no problem being zech machniya to administrative requests, and I think we have a good name religiously - I'm in education- but finances are a big issue.

I will apply to every school within our range. I would appreciate a list of options, and also tips for where to get contact info and applications.

amother

Stoneblue

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:14 am

amother OP wrote:

Thanks for replies, everyone. Sorry for disappearing.

I actually did some RL research and heard a "down payment" horror story from someone close to me whom I trust. They were told for 15k "building fund donation" their child has a spot. This family might be considered comfortable - far from rich, though.

I'm looking for fully chassidish schools, boys and girls elementary school age. I have no problem being zech machniya to administrative requests, and I think we have a good name religiously - I'm in chinuch - but finances are a big issue.

I will apply to every school within our range. I would appreciate a list of options, and also tips for where to get contact info and applications.

Every parent in the school must pay building fund. It's not a down payment. My girls are in school for years already & I'm paying building fee every month. They don't ask for 15K on the spot, schools generally break it down in to monthly payments. I don't think you can get away with building fee in any school.

amother

Crimson

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:16 am

amother OP wrote:

Thanks for replies, everyone. Sorry for disappearing.

I actually did some RL research and heard a "down payment" horror story from someone close to me whom I trust. They were told for 15k "building fund donation" their child has a spot. This family might be considered comfortable - far from rich, though.

I'm looking for fully chassidish schools, boys and girls elementary school age. I have no problem being zech machniya to administrative requests, and I think we have a good name religiously - I'm in chinuch - but finances are a big issue.

I will apply to every school within our range. I would appreciate a list of options, and also tips for where to get contact info and applications.

Are you trying for this year? AKA next week?

amother

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:41 am

amother Stoneblue wrote:

True. This was way beyond a reasonable building fund fee, which would be included in the registration or tuition bill. It was a one-time "donation" in order for the child to be accepted.

Edit: If a 15k fee is normal, then I can't afford schools for my children, period.

amother

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:42 am

amother Crimson wrote:

Are you trying for this year? AKA next week?

No, for next year. I'm told it's never too early to start the process, but I would wait until school starts so they can focus better. It's a very busy time of year for everyone.

amother

Stoneblue

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:43 am

amother OP wrote:

True. This was way beyond a reasonable building fund fee, which would be included in the registration or tuition bill. It was a one-time "donation" in order for the child to be accepted.

Building fee is not included in registration/tuition. It's a separate fee which every school asks for.

amother

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:44 am

amother Stoneblue wrote:

Building fee is not included in registration/tuition. It's a separate fee which every school asks for.

I said tuition bill, meaning it's itemized separately but it's a monthly or annual request, not a condition for accepting the child into school.

It was a donation extortion.

At least, that's how this person experienced it and described it to me.

amother

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:49 am

To summarize: If it's a normal practice for chassidish schools to demand 15k per child in order to accept them, calling it building donation, filing fee, or what-have-you, I can't afford to send my children to any chassidish school in Monsey. It would add up to half a down payment.

Also, people's responses that 15k acceptance fee is normal makes me wonder whether I misheard and it was a demand for 50k.

They're equally impossible for me.

amother

Stoneblue

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 11:52 am

amother OP wrote:

I do not know of any chassidish school that does this.
Maybe they use it as a deterrent instead of saying no? Between my girls & Boys, we got accepted to 5 different schools and none asked for money.

amother

Poppy

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 2:35 pm

amother Stoneblue wrote:

I do not know of any chassidish school that does this.
Maybe they use it as a deterrent instead of saying no? Between my girls & Boys, we got accepted to 5 different schools and none asked for money.

I’d love to hear which schools

amother

Hyacinth

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 2:53 pm

amother Poppy wrote:

I’d love to hear which schools

I sent to Satmar, CUTA. Not sure if this is the type of school you're looking for, OP. I got in, no problem and no one asked for building fund money. In fact, my husband was out of work at the time and they were very accommodating with tuition.

amother

Phlox

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 3:30 pm

My child is in a monsey school for a few years with no issues, paid full tuition on time etc, and now they're demanding 10k to continue.

And when I fought back they charged my card on file anyway.

amother

Stoneblue

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 4:01 pm

amother Phlox wrote:

My child is in a monsey school for a few years with no issues, paid full tuition on time etc, and now they're demanding 10k to continue.

And when I fought back they charged my card on file anyway.

What? What are they saying the 10K is for? Building fee? Just because? I'd dispute the charge. I pay with head checks because if not, the schools charge the card on file whenever they want.

amother

Phlox

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 4:47 pm

amother Stoneblue wrote:

What? What are they saying the 10K is for? Building fee? Just because? I'd dispute the charge. I pay with head checks because if not, the schools charge the card on file whenever they want.

Punishment. Cus I didn't have my technology exactly like their rules last year so they're angry. They need 10k to trust me going fwd. (My child is a star student).

I couldn't make this up if I tried.

amother

Sapphire

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 4:57 pm

amother Phlox wrote:

amother

Stoneblue

Tue, Aug 29 2023, 5:01 pm

amother Phlox wrote:

My oh my. Like the schools that charge 15K if you go to Israel for sukkos and stay till Rosh Chodesh cheshvan and the kids miss a week of school...
Or charging 10K because the girls wore gowns and make-up to a wedding...