Location: California, USA
Looking for advice on a difficult situation we’re facing with a private school.
Earlier this year, we enrolled our child at a private school we were excited about, and paid a substantial tuition deposit. Unfortunately, after enrollment—but before the academic year started and withdrawal deadline—our family situation changed dramatically. My spouse’s business acquisition faced unforeseen delays, and we had to relocate unexpectedly.
Our child never attended a single day of school, and we reached out to the school administration well in advance of the academic year to explain the situation and ask if there was a way to settle or be released from the contract. We weren’t looking to break our obligations lightly—we just hoped they might show flexibility or at least consider a partial forgiveness.
Instead, we received a flat “no”—they’re holding us to the entire year’s tuition, which is a huge financial burden for us, especially given that we’re now absorbing other relocation and business-related costs. They’ve also said they won’t consider a payment plan or mediation.
Has anyone here faced something similar? Is there any recourse, legal or otherwise, for this kind of situation—especially when no services were ever rendered? Any advice on how to negotiate or escalate respectfully?
We’re not trying to get out of obligations unethically—we just feel stuck and are hoping for any guidance.
Comments
They can hold you to the terms of the contract and sue you for noncompliance
If your contract didn’t have an out, they don’t have to grant you one
There might be some benefit in determining whether your child’s seat was ever filled by someone else. It would depend on the specific terms of the contract and you’d want to have it reviewed by an attorney
What does the contract say about cancellation and refund? The contract is what is going to control. So if there was a deadline to cancel and you did not meet it, you are pretty much at the mercy of their willingness to negotiate.