Chase Ranch Montessori School

Thank you for the information regarding this Revdex.com complaint, the first such complaint we have had in more than years of operationIt appears that several factors combined to create a perfect storm of misunderstandingsMID YEAR START: Most clients start at the beginning of the academic year
starting in SeptemberSome clients to start mid-year in JanuaryHowever, this client first contacted us in January with the stated intention that they wanted their child to start in FebruaryAll clients must pay a registration fee and a tuition payment in advanceWe anticipated that they would be starting right away.Also due to the mid-year start, this client did not attend our orientation meetings when they would be fully briefed on our tuition payment schedule and other policiesThis contributed to the confusion factorHowever, all our policies are clearly stated on our websiteANNUAL TUITION: Our school is based on annual tuition for the Septto June academic year which we allow clients to split up into equal installmentsInstallment payments are due on the 20th of each monthThese installments are NOT for the month in which they are paid, but to fulfill their obligation to pay for the entire tuition for the year in equal installmentsWe also offer a reduced rate if the client pays for the entire year in one single payment (i.eno finance charge)ANNUAL COMMITMENT: Our clients make a commitment to fulfill the entire academic year from September to JuneSome schools offer a “drop-in” service when you can start and stop on a dimeWe do not offer that service.In this case, we expected them to start in February and attend February, March, April, May, and portion of June which we provide in the academic yearClients that start mid-year may receive a small refund at the end so that the amount they pay is EXACTLY the daily rate for each day we are in session, to be fair to everyoneSCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: This client also received the Scholarship program, which reduces their annual tuition for the full year by $2,(a reduction of $per payment)The Scholarship program is based on need and a commitment by the customer to be a loyal and fulfill the academic year, as well as go to a portion of summer schoolNEW VACCINATION LAW: State law changed in Vaccinations are now required for all studentsThere is no longer a “personal belief” exemptionTo be exempted, the client must obtain a letter from a doctor stating that the child cannot accept the vaccinations for medical reasonsIt is the law that we cannot accept the student until they have completed the health screening and have all required vaccinationsThere is no flexibility in the law but since it is new, there are many questions and even the officials were not sure of the answersMany parents were upset that they were required to obtain vaccinations.The client did not have their required vaccinations and we held their spot for THREE months at no charge so they could complete the required paperworkFinally, they got the required health screening paperwork and were able to start on May PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND SCHOOL: On May we expect all clients to pay the last tuition installment for the academic yearThis client decided not to pay the May tuition installmentInstead, they said they would simply finish out the month of MayThe client was informed that they could not attend school without paying tuitionWE OFFERED A FAIR AMOUNT: The client claims that we sent them a rude emailThat email is attached so everyone can see we were not being rude, we were simply explaining our policiesWhen they said they did not want to pay the tuition, we went ahead and calculated the exact amount due for the end of school through June based on a daily rate under the scholarship program for the exact number of days they could attend school from May to June We offered that amount due to them to continue the remainder of the year and fulfill their commitment to their agreement with the schoolThis amount was substantially less than the full tuition amountThey refused to pay this fair amountWE ARE NOT SEEKING FURTHER RELIEFAlthough it is our right to seek full amount due for the academic school year which they started, per the agreement they signed, we are not seeking any further reliefThe amount they did pay was appropriate for the time they spent at the school, given that they started on May and pulled out on May This may seem counter-intuitive since at first glance it would appear that the one and only installment payment they made would pay for all of MayBut realize that most clients pay a full tuition installment on May 20, and June is an abbreviated monthThus, the May payment distributes over the rest of the yearThe amount this client paid in their one and only first payment was appropriate for the period in May that they did attendWE ARE SORRY TO SEE THEM GOWe are sorry to hear that this client did not want to continue at the school because their child was doing very well and we were expecting continued enrollment for the following yearOur business can accommodate only a limited number of clients and they tend to stay with us for several yearsSo we do build lasting relationships with our customers and it is very unfortunate that all these factors added up to a customer who felt that they did not get their money's worthBut for us the policy is very clearWe do not provide service without appropriate payment.Thus, the mid-year start, difficulty with vaccinations, and the confusion about our payment program all added up to an unfortunate resultHowever, we can only assure the customer that they were treated with utmost and absolute fairness and according to school policyThey were not singled out in any way and they were charged even a bit under the daily rate for the time they were thereThus after additional and careful review, we have found no amount due to the client.Thank you for your kind assistance in this matter

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below
Regards,
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