GDS or Burke for HS

[Anonymous]

DS is a strong student, but he has ADHD, which impacts his organization abilities (ie, remembering all the materials he needs for each class, proofreading written assignments, etc.). He loves music (currently plays in an outside of school jazz band) and debate; hates sports. He is willing to work hard, but wants to have time for music.

If we are lucky enough to have a choice, which would you choose?

[Anonymous]

Burke. If you send him to GDS it is likely they will counsel him out to Burke or Field.

[Anonymous]

Burke

[Anonymous]

Either

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burke. If you send him to GDS it is likely they will counsel him out to Burke or Field.

Why?

[Anonymous]

GDS s a "self starter" school. A kid with ADHD will get crushed there.

[Anonymous]

Oh please! Either one is fine. He will just take the easy classes at GDS. At GDS all Physical activity is optional. The social climate at Burke Who is probably kinder though.

[Anonymous]

GDS and get him an Executive Functuon tutor to learn those important skills

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS s a "self starter" school. A kid with ADHD will get crushed there.

No they let plenty of people like that float around, but they don’t push them or improve them much. It’s like college- what you make of it or don’t. Easier for the teachers that way too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS s a "self starter" school. A kid with ADHD will get crushed there.

No they let plenty of people like that float around, but they don’t push them or improve them much. It’s like college- what you make of it or don’t. Easier for the teachers that way too.

This was unfortunately our experience with “meets your child where they are….” And keeps them there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS s a "self starter" school. A kid with ADHD will get crushed there.

No they let plenty of people like that float around, but they don’t push them or improve them much. It’s like college- what you make of it or don’t. Easier for the teachers that way too.

This was unfortunately our experience with “meets your child where they are….” And keeps them there!

To build on pp’s points, you really ought to consider more structured schools, op. GDS has many strengths, but giving kids tools to excel is simply not one of them. GDS will provide endless resources for self-starting kids to pursue their passions, and those self starters will also get their other stuff done. They’ll provide similar resources for less organized or driven kids to pursue their passions, but almost nothing in the way of tools to get other stuff done. You’ll end up with the same kid you started with, and come tenth grade, you’ll be scrambling to get all the tutors so that your kid can get the fundamentals. The fundamentals just aren’t what gds provides.

[Anonymous]

STA may be an option

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh please! Either one is fine. He will just take the easy classes at GDS. At GDS all Physical activity is optional. The social climate at Burke Who is probably kinder though.

Physical activity is optional at GDS US? I am deeply skeptical of this statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GDS s a "self starter" school. A kid with ADHD will get crushed there.

No they let plenty of people like that float around, but they don’t push them or improve them much. It’s like college- what you make of it or don’t. Easier for the teachers that way too.

This was unfortunately our experience with “meets your child where they are….” And keeps them there!

To build on pp’s points, you really ought to consider more structured schools, op. GDS has many strengths, but giving kids tools to excel is simply not one of them. GDS will provide endless resources for self-starting kids to pursue their passions, and those self starters will also get their other stuff done. They’ll provide similar resources for less organized or driven kids to pursue their passions, but almost nothing in the way of tools to get other stuff done. You’ll end up with the same kid you started with, and come tenth grade, you’ll be scrambling to get all the tutors so that your kid can get the fundamentals. The fundamentals just aren’t what gds provides.

Do you have suggestions for more structured schools that aren't sporty? Not only does he not want to be required to participate in sports, he struggles socially when sports are how others organize themselves (ie, if the dominant lunch conversation is last night's football game or if other boys primarily want to shoot hoops after school). We've thought about St. Andrews, but concerned about the sports emphasis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:STA may be an option

No, there is little to no support for kids who are struggling or need help with organization. My kid is a freshman this year. Boys are supposed to have figured this out before 9th grade.
Try Landon--they have all boys take a study skills course in the fall of freshman year.