Threatened with Disenrollment for Asking a Simple Question…read more
I rarely write public reviews, but my recent experience with Little Scholars Academy and staff member Shehara Devendra left me shocked and disappointed.
The issue began with something simple: I dropped off extra clothes for my child and was told they would be labeled by the school. Later, when I picked them up, none had been labeled as promised. I politely messaged the school, explained the situation, and respectfully requested that only the unlabeled items be returned so I could label them myself.
What I received in response was not acknowledgment or accountability, but vague reassurances and generic replies that completely ignored the specific concern I had raised. Instead of acknowledging the oversight, I was told to "trust the process" -- as if my concern was rooted in distrust, when in reality I had simply asked for follow-through and clarity.
I remained calm and polite in every message, even thanking them multiple times. At no point did I use disrespectful or inappropriate language. Despite this, I was later told by the Director that my child's enrollment could be discontinued if I was ever "disrespectful" again.
After receiving that email from the Director, my family felt humiliated, anxious, and unsure of what to do next. After much hesitation, we decided to email the school to withdraw our child from enrollment. The school replied, asking us which date we wanted our child's last day to be. Because we were unfamiliar with their withdrawal process, we politely asked for more detailed guidance -- specifically, what the procedure would be and what date would work for the school. Instead of receiving any instructions, the school simply stopped responding.
Then, one morning at drop-off, I was confronted at the door by staff member Shehara. She blocked the entrance and demanded that I give her a specific last day for my child's attendance. This was done while my child was crying in fear and distress, and while other parents were lined up behind us trying to drop off their children. I asked her repeatedly if my child was allowed to attend class that day, but she replied that she "didn't know" and insisted I give her a date immediately. In the end, I had to almost ask for permission for my child to enter class, promising I would confirm the withdrawal date later that day. Only then did she allow my child to go inside.
This was not the only example of pressured compliance. Shehara insisted we purchase the school's preferred diaper brand, even though we already had a large supply of another suitable brand, making us feel that noncompliance might result in mistreatment of our child.
The Director, who has never been present during our drop-offs or pick-ups, nonetheless defended her staff without ever having witnessed these incidents. Rather than working with us as partners in our child's care, they created an environment where asking a simple question was treated as a disciplinary problem.
As a parent, I believe in collaborating with teachers and staff, and in standing up when communication breaks down and basic respect is lacking. I expected better from a school entrusted with my child's care.
It's disappointing that a parent raising a simple concern -- calmly and constructively -- could be treated as a disciplinary problem, then later confronted publicly at the school door, instead of being treated as a partner in their child's education.
I share this experience in the hope it brings attention to the importance of accountability, empathy, and clear communication in childcare. Parents should be able to ask questions and express concerns without being threatened with disenrollment, ignored when seeking guidance, or put in uncomfortable and public confrontations during drop-off.
I strongly urge parents to consider these experiences before enrolling at Little Scholars Academy. Your family deserves a school that values transparency, respect, and true partnership with parents.
