Whitman for kids with mild learning differences - ADHD etc

[Anonymous]

How is Whitman's special ed department from parents perspective. My daughter coming into 9th - we had a tough time at Pyle and left for 2 years for private (covid/ adhd/screens disaster)but really want to trust that the HS has more resources.

[Anonymous]

You should speak to the counseling Dept at Whitman directly and they will be able to outline in detail what they can provide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should speak to the counseling Dept at Whitman directly and they will be able to outline in detail what they can provide.

NP. sometimes parents in the same circumstances on these boards are helpful too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should speak to the counseling Dept at Whitman directly and they will be able to outline in detail what they can provide.

NP. sometimes parents in the same circumstances on these boards are helpful too.

That's true, but more often than not these boards are occupied by disgruntled parents who complain a lot. I think OP needs the balance of what is genuinely on offer and really only those counselors can help in a day to day way.

[Anonymous]

OP here- I definitely will talk to the folks - it is also helpful for me to hear the parents' side and hopefully read through the lines of the reponnses. We actually were thinking of Wilson but have made the decision that it will not be a good fit and are excited now to be MC residents!

[Anonymous]

I would ask on the special needs board too. Have heard some horror stories about some of the Pyle resource people over these past few years so it could just be Pyle and your child may have a better experience in HS.

[Anonymous]

If there is a 504 or IEP in place, then Whitman teachers should honor it.

If there isn't, you should get one.

[Anonymous]

Not at Whitman but another nearby MCPS school, and DC w/ADHD.

IME, HS is a bit better because you have more choice and thus, more chance to take something that will hold DC’s attention.

DC could not have succeeded in HS w/o accommodations of extra time, copy of class notes, extended/reschedule deadlines, limits on # of tests in a day, calculator accommodation and multi-day testing for all tests over 2 hours. With that, DC was able to take some of the most complex AP classes, which were more interesting.

Medication (both an attention med and an anti-depressant) and therapy helped also.

DC is now managing OK at a large state university.

Any MCPS should be able to supply accommodations, but get started on that process now. Even if you are still in private you can get the IEP now.

Are you MoCo residents now? You might want to ask on the SN board about WJ - which has a HS program for 2E or kids with some learning needs. I’m not sure whether you have to be placed there or just be in bounds.

[Anonymous]

My dc started at whitman this year, and can only compare to our old school in a different district. We have a 504 in place and I’d say the accommodations are clearly not being done by default but they will be given when specifically asked. I’m leaving it up to my DC to advocate with teachers for things like extra time when needed, and that has generally worked out. But I was fairly active behind the scenes with counselors in the beginning. I would say the homework load is challenging but we’ve been through worse. (Some nights up to 4 hours but other nights 30 mins). I’m not sure if the school has a tutoring program or not, but a “homework helper” of some sort to keep your student on task will probably be a must since the kids have all classes every day at whitman (vs block schedule where there’s an extra day in between class meetings if they forget to do an assignment). Also, DCs old school had teacher office hours and that was helpful to get extra copies of worksheets, missing assignments, explanation of concepts missed in class, etc. Whitman does not have this, but DC has been able to meet with teachers during lunch when needed. It’s been hard, but manageable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dc started at whitman this year, and can only compare to our old school in a different district. We have a 504 in place and I’d say the accommodations are clearly not being done by default but they will be given when specifically asked. I’m leaving it up to my DC to advocate with teachers for things like extra time when needed, and that has generally worked out. But I was fairly active behind the scenes with counselors in the beginning. I would say the homework load is challenging but we’ve been through worse. (Some nights up to 4 hours but other nights 30 mins). I’m not sure if the school has a tutoring program or not, but a “homework helper” of some sort to keep your student on task will probably be a must since the kids have all classes every day at whitman (vs block schedule where there’s an extra day in between class meetings if they forget to do an assignment). Also, DCs old school had teacher office hours and that was helpful to get extra copies of worksheets, missing assignments, explanation of concepts missed in class, etc. Whitman does not have this, but DC has been able to meet with teachers during lunch when needed. It’s been hard, but manageable.

There is peer tutoring twice a week during lunch. And office hours are during lunch.