The McLean School in Potomac

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me a little about The McLean School in Potomac? Is it a nurturing environment, does it cater to special needs children specifically?

[Anonymous]

Do a search on this Forum and the Special Needs Forum. There was recently a thread on McLean on this forum. They take kids with very mild issues. They are getting a new Head of School in July and the middle school head is currently an interim. So there will be a bit of a transition period. Lower School (K-4) is very small. The middle school (5-8) is larger and then the numbers decrease again for high school. Lots of parents and kids love it. It wasn't the right fit for my dc but I have friends who are happy there.

[Anonymous]

my dc is more shy and is looking for a nurturing environment. Will be in kindergarten next year. Anything in particular you didn't like about it?

[Anonymous]

My DS is there and we love it. It is not only for kids with SN, there are plenty of kids there who benefit from the small classes and attention. You should go visit and see for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Lots of recent threads. Check out the search function on the right and sort by date.

[Anonymous]

21:12 PP, I am curious to know why McLean was not a good fit for your DC. You mention that lots of kids and parents you know are happy. Just wondering why you left.

[Anonymous]

18:38 - a gentle suggestion. Don't confuse wrong fit with dislike. There can be a school you love but it might not be the right fit for your child.

[Anonymous]

10:50 PP, I am not following you. I am not confused. I was merely repeating what the poster said about McLean not being the right fit for their child and requesting more specificity.

[Anonymous]

I missed the earlier posts on this site but am wondering how difficult it is to get into McLean. My DD has mild ADHD (no behavioral issues), poor executive functioning skills and some speech and language processing issues. I have applied for middle school. Any input would be helpful. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10:50 PP, I am not following you. I am not confused. I was merely repeating what the poster said about McLean not being the right fit for their child and requesting more specificity.

I'm the poster you asked originally. I am not getting into specifics b/c I don't want to give out details that could identify my dc. Not sure why you are pressing. If your dc gets in, do a thorough evaluation. I should have listened to my gut but sent dc anyway b/c "everyone says it's such a great school." Again, not saying it's a bad place -- just wasn't right for my kid. It may be perfect for yours and I hope you have a great experience there. Fwiw, my dc wasn't the only one to leave -- others from dc's grade did too. And in response to your probable next question, I don't know why they left. And even if I did, I wouldn't post it here.

Look, I'm not trying to be difficult and I'm not bad mouthing the school. There are just some parents who come on here and can't believe that anyone couldn't have as a great an experience as their dc is having. The reality is that it isn't the right place for everyone -- there is good and bad like there is at every school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I missed the earlier posts on this site but am wondering how difficult it is to get into McLean. My DD has mild ADHD (no behavioral issues), poor executive functioning skills and some speech and language processing issues. I have applied for middle school. Any input would be helpful. Thank you.

I think it sounds like it would be a great fit, but you should visit and decide for yourself.

I'm a PP who has sung the praises of McLean but I would never say its the right school for everyone.

[Anonymous]

I notice on this and other McLean postings, the former parents, with a few exceptions, seem angry and bitter. I also wonder why they bother to post if their child no longer attends the school. I could care less about postings about the former school my kids attended. I recognize it was no longer working for my kids so I wished the remaining families well and moved on. It seems like some folks who left are harboring some bitterness, rooted in who knows what but it makes prospective parents, me in particular, suspicious of their motivations. I sure hope your kids are happier than the parents are.

[Anonymous]

I chuckle because I know one family who left. They had NO IDEA that it was a school for SN kids. They were from another country. They were really mad that the school was not transparent about their role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I chuckle because I know one family who left. They had NO IDEA that it was a school for SN kids. They were from another country. They were really mad that the school was not transparent about their role.

But is not just for special needs kids, is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I chuckle because I know one family who left. They had NO IDEA that it was a school for SN kids. They were from another country. They were really mad that the school was not transparent about their role.

But is not just for special needs kids, is it?

And my sense is that they are trying to sustain this legacy while create a really solid curriculum that would reach/challenge everyone.