Tony private schools apparently don't do things like the rest of us. While we might think that the family of a student who had been or is being rejected should probably be left alone, the Dalton School apparently thinks they are the perfect target for public shaming and fundraising efforts. Or something—this is a weird one.
Today Page Six spells out one of the strangest stories in private education fundraising we've heard in ages: Apparently, Dalton recently sent out a letter to "boosters and alumni" that included a list of families that have applications pending—as well as the names of students who were rejected from the exclusive school. And they did so to give people fundraising targets!
The revealing e-mail went out as part of a fundraising effort to have school supporters lobby parents of recently rejected kids for money, sources say. Recipients, we’re told, were encouraged to make contact with the families in an effort to broker better relations and deepen the potential fund-raising pool.
Naturally, some folks are fuming at the breach of privacy—who wants the world to know that little Bertolt and Reagan didn't make the cut at Dalton?—but at the same time those listed aren't even sure what to do. If they take legal action against the school, well, then everyone knows about their intellectually stunted offspring!
Honestly we're shocked the school's powerful admissions head didn't stop this before it was too late. But these things happen, and now Dalton (which is sending out its official acceptance and rejection letters next week like all the other private schools) is playing super apologetic. In a statement they say:
Dalton’s policy is to treat information about applying families confidentially. We were informed there was a breach of this policy, and we are taking all steps so it will not happen again. As a matter of practice, we do not solicit families who are in the admissions process.
Hmm...Sounds like somebody at the school needs a refresher course on their policies. They must have expensive policy tutors there somewhere, right?
