SFS, StA, GDS, Maret, & Potomac--best choice for underachieving, high-IQ kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT SEND AN UNDERACHIEVING KID WITH ADHD TO GDS. First of all, as had been said, it's incredibly difficult to get into any of the schools you mentioned.
That said:
I have a very high IQ boy with MILD ADHD at GDS and I would not send him there if I had to do it over.

GDS is a pressure cooker. The kids are super smart. There is this image of laid-back kindness, which is true socially and with regard to athletics, but NOT NOT NOT in academics. The kids are very bright and self-motivated. There are very few academic supports. There is very much a sink or swim, parents-stay-out-of-it approach. The kids are acutely aware of who is achieving, and by HS they are super stressed out which college they will go to. An underachieving kid will NOT thrive here.

How about a motivated kid that has executive issues? He does well, gets good grades, is engaged and self advocates, but may have slow processing in some areas and gets extra time for it on tests?

The homework, stress level and pressure increase each year. If he is slow it turns 3-4 hours of homework each day in to 4-8 hours of homework. Remember this is in addition to school and assignments over the weekends. It is not an enjoyable experience and can destroy confidence.

My kid is strange in this area. He’s quicker than the other kids doing class work, projects, etc, but on tests he’s sometimes slower.

Being fast doesn't mean you are always right, you should get a neuropsych test done for him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT SEND AN UNDERACHIEVING KID WITH ADHD TO GDS. First of all, as had been said, it's incredibly difficult to get into any of the schools you mentioned.
That said:
I have a very high IQ boy with MILD ADHD at GDS and I would not send him there if I had to do it over.

GDS is a pressure cooker. The kids are super smart. There is this image of laid-back kindness, which is true socially and with regard to athletics, but NOT NOT NOT in academics. The kids are very bright and self-motivated. There are very few academic supports. There is very much a sink or swim, parents-stay-out-of-it approach. The kids are acutely aware of who is achieving, and by HS they are super stressed out which college they will go to. An underachieving kid will NOT thrive here.

How about a motivated kid that has executive issues? He does well, gets good grades, is engaged and self advocates, but may have slow processing in some areas and gets extra time for it on tests?

The homework, stress level and pressure increase each year. If he is slow it turns 3-4 hours of homework each day in to 4-8 hours of homework. Remember this is in addition to school and assignments over the weekends. It is not an enjoyable experience and can destroy confidence.

My kid is strange in this area. He’s quicker than the other kids doing class work, projects, etc, but on tests he’s sometimes slower.

Being fast doesn't mean you are always right, you should get a neuropsych test done for him

I mean fast to the point that his teachers for years have been saying he catches on quicker to than the other students and gets bored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, our DS started showing these signs in 8th grade after a strong, but not necessarily, outstanding record. But it all blew up in 9th. Even though the school did not suggest a neuropsych, we decided to have him evaluated and learned that he had a mild form of inattentive ADHD. Getting on meds was fairly life changing for him. He was able to engage in classes where he didn't necessarily have a burning interest because he was able to focus.

If you can afford an evaluation, I would do so. You either learn that all is okay or that he has a learning style where he needs some attention - both those results are good for you to know.

GL!

And does the $$$$$ private school help in any way, shape or form or is this all the family secret from them?

I think you are posting in the wrong thread. Or you're an a...

Yes, the school knows. Schools do not always suggest evals b/c they cost money and they do not want to presume families can afford it. Once we had the diagnosis and write-up, we had a meeting with the school's learning center and a plan 48 hours later. DS works with a great specialist and has had the support of nearly all his teachers over his four years in HS. The school's learning center is well regarded by parents and the envy of parents of students at other schools.

As I mentioned above, it was fairly life changing for him and money very, very well spent for our family.

This was at a sta, gds, sfs, maret school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get an evaluation, will be helpful!

Are you asked to disclose any dx from a pediatrician or that you took a neuropsych test or screen, when you apply to wash dc private schools?

Do you have to disclose this?

We have an on the cusp kid but a lot of environmental factors due to a disabled parent. yes he needs some help, we don’t know what, he is young age 10, but it might just be anxiety or something mild, not a Disorder.
I’d hate to pay for a neuropsych and get told it’s nothing much or mild ADD or mild ASD and nothing much to try, just a few parenting things, PLUS have to report that on a middle or upper school application.

How is this handled? This is not a situation where an IEP or 504 or whatever private schools do, is needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get an evaluation, will be helpful!

Are you asked to disclose any dx from a pediatrician or that you took a neuropsych test or screen, when you apply to wash dc private schools?

Do you have to disclose this?

We have an on the cusp kid but a lot of environmental factors due to a disabled parent. yes he needs some help, we don’t know what, he is young age 10, but it might just be anxiety or something mild, not a Disorder.
I’d hate to pay for a neuropsych and get told it’s nothing much or mild ADD or mild ASD and nothing much to try, just a few parenting things, PLUS have to report that on a middle or upper school application.

How is this handled? This is not a situation where an IEP or 504 or whatever private schools do, is needed.

Ethically, yes, they ask and you should disclose.
Anxiety is a disorder. It can be a very severe disorder that affects many aspects of functioning.
Nobody is going to say your kid has ADD or ASD and therefore "nothing much to try." There is always stuff to try. Nobody will dismiss mild ADHD or ASD as trivial, because they aren't.
If your kid "needs some help," a 504 or possibly an IEP may well be needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get an evaluation, will be helpful!

Are you asked to disclose any dx from a pediatrician or that you took a neuropsych test or screen, when you apply to wash dc private schools?

Do you have to disclose this?

We have an on the cusp kid but a lot of environmental factors due to a disabled parent. yes he needs some help, we don’t know what, he is young age 10, but it might just be anxiety or something mild, not a Disorder.
I’d hate to pay for a neuropsych and get told it’s nothing much or mild ADD or mild ASD and nothing much to try, just a few parenting things, PLUS have to report that on a middle or upper school application.

How is this handled? This is not a situation where an IEP or 504 or whatever private schools do, is needed.

You are contractually obligated to disclose. Many schools represent that they may not be able to accommodate. If the school could not accommodate they would likely refer you to a school, like McLean, that specializes in providing this support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get an evaluation, will be helpful!

Are you asked to disclose any dx from a pediatrician or that you took a neuropsych test or screen, when you apply to wash dc private schools?

Do you have to disclose this?

We have an on the cusp kid but a lot of environmental factors due to a disabled parent. yes he needs some help, we don’t know what, he is young age 10, but it might just be anxiety or something mild, not a Disorder.
I’d hate to pay for a neuropsych and get told it’s nothing much or mild ADD or mild ASD and nothing much to try, just a few parenting things, PLUS have to report that on a middle or upper school application.

How is this handled? This is not a situation where an IEP or 504 or whatever private schools do, is needed.

Ethically, yes, they ask and you should disclose.
Anxiety is a disorder. It can be a very severe disorder that affects many aspects of functioning.
Nobody is going to say your kid has ADD or ASD and therefore "nothing much to try." There is always stuff to try. Nobody will dismiss mild ADHD or ASD as trivial, because they aren't.
If your kid "needs some help," a 504 or possibly an IEP may well be needed.

Will schools like GDS, Sidwell, and the Cathedral schools be okay giving time and a half on tests and quizzes if that’s the only accommodation necessary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT SEND AN UNDERACHIEVING KID WITH ADHD TO GDS. First of all, as had been said, it's incredibly difficult to get into any of the schools you mentioned.
That said:
I have a very high IQ boy with MILD ADHD at GDS and I would not send him there if I had to do it over.

GDS is a pressure cooker. The kids are super smart. There is this image of laid-back kindness, which is true socially and with regard to athletics, but NOT NOT NOT in academics. The kids are very bright and self-motivated. There are very few academic supports. There is very much a sink or swim, parents-stay-out-of-it approach. The kids are acutely aware of who is achieving, and by HS they are super stressed out which college they will go to. An underachieving kid will NOT thrive here.

How about a motivated kid that has executive issues? He does well, gets good grades, is engaged and self advocates, but may have slow processing in some areas and gets extra time for it on tests?

The homework, stress level and pressure increase each year. If he is slow it turns 3-4 hours of homework each day in to 4-8 hours of homework. Remember this is in addition to school and assignments over the weekends. It is not an enjoyable experience and can destroy confidence.

Don’t worry, I’m sure the parents and “doctor” can make it so he gets half the homework!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT SEND AN UNDERACHIEVING KID WITH ADHD TO GDS. First of all, as had been said, it's incredibly difficult to get into any of the schools you mentioned.
That said:
I have a very high IQ boy with MILD ADHD at GDS and I would not send him there if I had to do it over.

GDS is a pressure cooker. The kids are super smart. There is this image of laid-back kindness, which is true socially and with regard to athletics, but NOT NOT NOT in academics. The kids are very bright and self-motivated. There are very few academic supports. There is very much a sink or swim, parents-stay-out-of-it approach. The kids are acutely aware of who is achieving, and by HS they are super stressed out which college they will go to. An underachieving kid will NOT thrive here.

How about a motivated kid that has executive issues? He does well, gets good grades, is engaged and self advocates, but may have slow processing in some areas and gets extra time for it on tests?

The homework, stress level and pressure increase each year. If he is slow it turns 3-4 hours of homework each day in to 4-8 hours of homework. Remember this is in addition to school and assignments over the weekends. It is not an enjoyable experience and can destroy confidence.

Don’t worry, I’m sure the parents and “doctor” can make it so he gets half the homework!

Why so bitter?

[Anonymous]

My kid’s at a hard super-Grindy school and time-and-a-half on tests won’t save your bacon. The workload for assignments and studying is so, so high. Some very sad kids barely keeping up with the workload.

I Really wish parents would let their kids be happy instead of forcing them into high ranking schools. It’s ok if they’re still getting their bearings in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid’s at a hard super-Grindy school and time-and-a-half on tests won’t save your bacon. The workload for assignments and studying is so, so high. Some very sad kids barely keeping up with the workload.

I Really wish parents would let their kids be happy instead of forcing them into high ranking schools. It’s ok if they’re still getting their bearings in high school.

what are you saying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get an evaluation, will be helpful!

Are you asked to disclose any dx from a pediatrician or that you took a neuropsych test or screen, when you apply to wash dc private schools?

Do you have to disclose this?

We have an on the cusp kid but a lot of environmental factors due to a disabled parent. yes he needs some help, we don’t know what, he is young age 10, but it might just be anxiety or something mild, not a Disorder.
I’d hate to pay for a neuropsych and get told it’s nothing much or mild ADD or mild ASD and nothing much to try, just a few parenting things, PLUS have to report that on a middle or upper school application.

How is this handled? This is not a situation where an IEP or 504 or whatever private schools do, is needed.

Ethically, yes, they ask and you should disclose.
Anxiety is a disorder. It can be a very severe disorder that affects many aspects of functioning.
Nobody is going to say your kid has ADD or ASD and therefore "nothing much to try." There is always stuff to try. Nobody will dismiss mild ADHD or ASD as trivial, because they aren't.
If your kid "needs some help," a 504 or possibly an IEP may well be needed.

Will schools like GDS, Sidwell, and the Cathedral schools be okay giving time and a half on tests and quizzes if that’s the only accommodation necessary?

Our hFA kid is at one of those, and merely needs reminders. So we email his teachers in the beginning to either remind him a lot or email us/his coach and we get the dates and a work plan in his system.

[Anonymous]

hey! I’m actually an eighth grader at SFS right now, and although it is challenging, the teachers provide so much support and there are many different tracks to support all kinds of students. I have heard Highschool is difficult, but we’ve gone through a bunch of assemblies about how to prepare for Highschool. For example, I am taking Spanish 4 next year (there are four different languages to choose from starting in 7th!!!), but a lot of my classmates are taking Spanish 1, 2, or 3, so everyone is in a suitable class. Sidwell is super progressive, which I love, but just prepare for that. There are also three different math classes you can be in starting in sixth grade, which is another way to customise your learning. This is the same with science in Highschool. For your child’s anxiety, there is an amazing team of guidance counselors who helped my best friend overcome her anxiety a few years ago. Just please make sure you don’t put too much pressure on your kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get an evaluation, will be helpful!

Are you asked to disclose any dx from a pediatrician or that you took a neuropsych test or screen, when you apply to wash dc private schools?

Do you have to disclose this?

We have an on the cusp kid but a lot of environmental factors due to a disabled parent. yes he needs some help, we don’t know what, he is young age 10, but it might just be anxiety or something mild, not a Disorder.
I’d hate to pay for a neuropsych and get told it’s nothing much or mild ADD or mild ASD and nothing much to try, just a few parenting things, PLUS have to report that on a middle or upper school application.

How is this handled? This is not a situation where an IEP or 504 or whatever private schools do, is needed.

Ethically, yes, they ask and you should disclose.
Anxiety is a disorder. It can be a very severe disorder that affects many aspects of functioning.
Nobody is going to say your kid has ADD or ASD and therefore "nothing much to try." There is always stuff to try. Nobody will dismiss mild ADHD or ASD as trivial, because they aren't.
If your kid "needs some help," a 504 or possibly an IEP may well be needed.

Will schools like GDS, Sidwell, and the Cathedral schools be okay giving time and a half on tests and quizzes if that’s the only accommodation necessary?

It’s the law. So yes with a documented diagnoses. GDS, Sidwell and Cathedral Schools have a lot of homework. GDS(high school) during the admissions process proudly stated 4-5 hour a night. This is in addition to school and extracurricular activities. The kids with no learning difference become overwhelmed. If the kid has a learning difference that homework will take longer. Kid with anxiety may feel they can never get caught up. This type of workload in high school can turn many kids off and burn them out. It is totally unnecessary.

If you are looking at the lower school realize this is coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT SEND AN UNDERACHIEVING KID WITH ADHD TO GDS. First of all, as had been said, it's incredibly difficult to get into any of the schools you mentioned.
That said:
I have a very high IQ boy with MILD ADHD at GDS and I would not send him there if I had to do it over.

GDS is a pressure cooker. The kids are super smart. There is this image of laid-back kindness, which is true socially and with regard to athletics, but NOT NOT NOT in academics. The kids are very bright and self-motivated. There are very few academic supports. There is very much a sink or swim, parents-stay-out-of-it approach. The kids are acutely aware of who is achieving, and by HS they are super stressed out which college they will go to. An underachieving kid will NOT thrive here.

How about a motivated kid that has executive issues? He does well, gets good grades, is engaged and self advocates, but may have slow processing in some areas and gets extra time for it on tests?

The homework, stress level and pressure increase each year. If he is slow it turns 3-4 hours of homework each day in to 4-8 hours of homework. Remember this is in addition to school and assignments over the weekends. It is not an enjoyable experience and can destroy confidence.

My kid is strange in this area. He’s quicker than the other kids doing class work, projects, etc, but on tests he’s sometimes slower.

If it's ADHD that's not necessarily strange. Fundamentally, ADHD is a dopamine deficiency. Working fast can help create and perpetuate the dopamine needed to focus. More than this, many ADHD kids are also really, really freaking smart. It can be a seemingly odd combination to outsiders, but it's not terribly uncommon. A smart ADHD kid works fast b/c they're smart AND because slow work requires endogenous dopamine they lack. This is why ADHD is treated with stimulants, of course-they stimulate dopamine exogenously. Deadlines, competition, working quickly, and a host of others are strategies to produce dopamine. Used adaptively and with an understanding of their limitations--which is true of any strategy any person, ADHD or otherwise, would use--these strategies can be really helpful.

Yeah no. ADHD kids are evenly distributed. There is no evidence to suggest most ADHD are really freaking smart. Some are some are not.