School Finance 706: Re-enrollment for 2018–19

Re-enrollment for 2018–19

Our annual re-enrollment will start after winter break, and we invite all SAS families to be ready to complete the process by March 1, 2018.

WHY RE-ENROLLMENT?

We know that SAS parents sometimes wonder why they must re-enroll their children each year. In fact, re-enrollment is vitally important in maintaining the school's operational efficiency and financial health. The SAS community benefits in many ways from a timely and efficient re-enrollment process:


  • Families can affirm their ongoing commitment to the school and know that their seats are guaranteed for the upcoming school year.
  • The admissions office can forecast returning-student numbers accurately and accept strong candidates promptly.
  • Accepted applicants can commit to SAS rather than to a second-choice school that offers a place more quickly.
  • New families, including those moving from overseas, can complete their planning with less stress.
  • Administrators can plan staff assignments and recruit excellent new teachers.
  • The school can continue operating at full capacity, avoiding damaging enrollment fluctuations and keeping tuition rate increases low.
  • Program needs, facilities schedules, and classroom materials can be predicted and addressed.


Parents sometimes ask why SAS charges a fee for re-enrollment. Quite simply, a monetary commitment yields a more accurate estimate of returning students, which is the goal of re-enrollment. A fee helps eliminate false re-enrollments and encourages undecided families to finalize their plans. Accepting a student's re-enrollment fee commits us to having a spot for that child in August.

Singapore law does not allow tuition deposits, so international schools either require tuition fees up to six months in advance or a re-enrollment fee. The fee is included in our average total cost of attendance, which we benchmark against other schools' averages.


RE-ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

Last year we moved the entire re-enrollment process onto an electronic enrollment platform (Veracross), making it more efficient for parents and school staff. This year, we have clarified some instructions and added several items to the "policies and agreements" that re-enrolling parents must sign (step 1b). Otherwise, the process is the same as last year.

An email will be sent to you in mid-January directing you to the Veracross parent portal. Once you click on the "re-enrollment" button, you will see three options:

1. Re-enroll: Finalize the 2018–19 re-enrollment process by completing steps 1a through 1d on your personal re-enrollment page. If an employer is paying the re-enrollment fee, you may check whether payment has been received by returning to your re-enrollment page at any time. Until the four steps are completed, your child's seat for 2018–19 is not reserved.

2. Tell us why you are undecided: If you are unsure of your plans for 2018–19, fill out step 2 to let us know your situation. However, keep in mind that this action does not hold a child's spot or delay the need for a re-enrollment decision. See the table below to understand the process, fees, and terms of re-enrolling by March 1, March 14, or later.

3. Withdraw: If you know you will not be returning, complete step 3.

Summary of re-enrollment dates, fees, and terms




Our re-enrollment process is an important element in the school's financial stability and overall success. We hope you will take some time over the holidays to consider your plans for next year in preparation for your re-enrollment decision. Please send any re-enrollment questions to reenroll@sas.edu.sg. Comments, questions, and suggestions for future articles are always welcome at mrogers@sas.edu.sg. We look forward to hearing from you.