Jemicy School's acquisition of Ruxton Country School
In a story in today's paper on Jemicy's plans to acquire Ruxton Country School in Owings Mills, I mentioned that, after the 2009-2010 academic year, Ruxton Country students would be helped with placement at another school - or accepted at Jemicy.
Jemicy's Head of School, Ben Shifrin, told me this morning that Ruxton students would have priority, provided they meet the admissions criteria.
"I think that’s only an ethical and fair thing to do," Shifrin said.
Until that time, the two schools will remain separate entities.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
This is a curious business decision to me. I don't know why Jemicy buys RCS if that is not a school that really fits their mission. They bought Valley Academy in Towson a few years ago so is the plan to move that school to RCS's current campus? And if so, what do they do with the land in Towson? And why does RCS sell their school anyway? I guess time will tell...
Posted by: Dan | March 6, 2009 1:48 PM
Dan,
Thanks for your comment. As I mentioned in the story, Jemicy plans to move its Upper School (now in Towson) to the RCS campus, after the 2009-2010 academic year. I'm not sure what their plans are for the Towson campus after that.
RCS approached Jemicy because of financial difficulties the school was having. What exactly those entailed, I don't know, as I've been unable to talk with the Head of School yet.
Posted by: Arin | March 6, 2009 4:48 PM
I hope that jeimcy find a way to help all the ruxton employees with a compensation package because the will be left out in the cold it’s a sad day for ruxton the faculty and staff their work so hard for my children when they where there this is a shame because all of the staff there are great people. And also does ruxton have enough students retuning to even run next year concerned parent thank you
Posted by: concerned parent | March 6, 2009 7:20 PM
I was at the meeting and have to tell you that I am very shocked and saddened about the acquisition. The most upsetting issue is that we as parents were not informed early enough to make other choices for our children as the deadline for other AIMS Schools have passed, leaving us forced to make hard decisions very late in the game. I personally do not want to send my child back to RCS in the fall to only 2 or 3 students in his 7th grade class, being that we were told that potentially only 60-80 students will even return in the fall BEFORE this news was announced on March 5th to the FACULTY and parents. Very unethical if you really want to know what most parents are feeling at this juncture.
Posted by: Concerned middle school parent | March 8, 2009 6:17 PM
As a parent at RCS, I do understand why the decision to approach Jemicy was made. RCS is not a well big well endowed school and the economy has definately gone downhill since the fall. Many families have already made decisions not to continue private school because of finances. RCS provides small classes and resources with the goal of teaching to the child. It is very unique which is why most parents choose to be here to begin with. We have one year to continue at RCS with no changes and during that time have the input of teachers from RCS and Jemicy staff to make the decision about the best placement for our child(ren) after that. I feel confident that the administration at RCS made the best decision they could in these difficult financial times. Our family is looking forward to being at RCS next year.
Posted by: Marianne Berger | March 11, 2009 8:24 PM