Any St. Andrews parents with experience for kid with ADHD in middle school/high school

[Anonymous]

We are looking at options for our son for middle school (6th grade) for next year. We visited St. Andrew's yesterday and were impressed by the school and their focus on the science of learning. Our son has ADHD. He is on treatment but still has a short attention span and only fair executive function skills. He is doing average to better than average in one of the upper NW privates, but we're not sure he is going to be able to keep up with the academic load in middle/high school there and the school does to offer a lot of support for kids with additional needs. St. Andrew's was one of the schools recommended by our son's doctor. We would love to hear from any current or recently former St. Andrew's parents about their child with ADHD's experience at this school.

Other schools we are considering are Field and Burke. Our son's doctor does not think he needs the level of accommodation at Lab, but we are going to look at the school for information. We are also considering looking at McLean. So, feedback from any parents with kids with ADHD at these schools would also be welcomed.

[Anonymous]

No knowledge of St. Andrews, but a friend of ours has a son with your son's profile. He was at McLean for 2 years and they had a good experience. Your son seems like their target student.

[Anonymous]

I was reading a local blog that mentioned St. Andrew's curriculum in a very positive manner. It was a well researched look at curriculum, objectives and outcomes. Looked at Maret, Visi and a few other local schools seemed well researched and cited. Picking a Private School or something: http://process999.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/assessing-the-private-school-curriculum-what-does-better-look-like/

It might help. St. Andrew's looked like a strong school.

[Anonymous]

I am a current St. Andrew's parent. Our children do not have ADHD (although I think almost all boys look as if they do sometimes, especially in middle school) but there are plenty of children at St. Andrew's who do. The hype about the emphasis on teacher training, best practices, studying how children best learn, etc. is true - big emphasis on it at the school. It seems to make the teachers feel a greater sense of professionalism there than at many other schools. But in my opinion, what makes St. Andrew's most special is simply the extraordinary commitment of the teachers to the students, the great relationships they have with the students, and the overall kindness and supportiveness with which the kids there treat one another. The strongest students can run with best kids at big name pressure cooker academic schools, - but the St. Andrew's school culture and open acceptance of the kids with mild ADD, dyslexia, etc. seems to promote a sense of compassion throughout the school rather than competition which is good for all the students in many ways. That said, the school does try to get the best out of every student whether they are in the standard classes or the most rigorous AP courses, and I can tell you that there are kids with ADD who have done very well there in AP courses and standardized AP exams. Of course, as you know ADHD covers a very wide range of students and each child's situation may be different. As for comparing the different schools you are looking at, there are several different threads on that -- some more reliable than others. You really should just call the schools and ask to talk to parents -- maybe parents of children that remind the admissions office of being similar to your child. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I am a current St. Andrew's parent. Our children do not have ADHD (although I think almost all boys look as if they do sometimes, especially in middle school) but there are plenty of children at St. Andrew's who do. The hype about the emphasis on teacher training, best practices, studying how children best learn, etc. is true - big emphasis on it at the school. It seems to make the teachers feel a greater sense of professionalism there than at many other schools. But in my opinion, what makes St. Andrew's most special is simply the extraordinary commitment of the teachers to the students, the great relationships they have with the students, and the overall kindness and supportiveness with which the kids there treat one another. The strongest students can run with best kids at big name pressure cooker academic schools, - but the St. Andrew's school culture and open acceptance of the kids with mild ADD, dyslexia, etc. seems to promote a sense of compassion throughout the school rather than competition which is good for all the students in many ways. That said, the school does try to get the best out of every student whether they are in the standard classes or the most rigorous AP courses, and I can tell you that there are kids with ADD who have done very well there in AP courses and standardized AP exams. Of course, as you know ADHD covers a very wide range of students and each child's situation may be different. As for comparing the different schools you are looking at, there are several different threads on that -- some more reliable than others. You really should just call the schools and ask to talk to parents -- maybe parents of children that remind the admissions office of being similar to your child. Good luck.

Current St. Andrew's parent, OP here. Thanks for your very valuable insights. They are very helpful and much appreciated. Others with experience who want to comment?