Does NCS generally honor accommodation recommendations based on a neuropsych exam?

[Anonymous]

My kid just finished a neuropsych exam. Will NCS generally honor accommodation requests (assuming the recommendation is for extra time, etc?)
We're not trying to work the system (at all)--kid is really struggling and anxiety is out of control regarding keeping up with the workload and in-class assignments.
Yes, we're also exploring other options for next year.

[Anonymous]

I believe these matters are handled through the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) at NCS. See the Teaching and Learning Center FAQ under "Parent Information" in MyNCS. Coincidentally, the next Parents Association meeting (Dec 7, 8:00 am at Hearst) will feature a presentation by the TLC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just finished a neuropsych exam. Will NCS generally honor accommodation requests (assuming the recommendation is for extra time, etc?)
We're not trying to work the system (at all)--kid is really struggling and anxiety is out of control regarding keeping up with the workload and in-class assignments.
Yes, we're also exploring other options for next year.

Extra time accommodations are generally honored after a neuropsych exam. Reach out to the TLC, the staff is excellent.

[Anonymous]

There's a difference between extra time on tests and extra time on assignments. Even if you can get extensions/extra time on assignments, you really don't want it, because then the child gets more and more behind until it all becomes due at the end of the quarter. If your child can't keep up with the assignments, finding a new school is much better.

That's very different from getting extra time on tests.

[Anonymous]

Another parent of an anxious kid in an independent schools. Extra time on assignments is often disastrous.

Can you reduce her courseload? Drop an elective?

[Anonymous]

My NCS grad daughter told me that she thought about half the girls in her class got extra time on tests. She was probably incorrect overall, but among her friends it was very common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My NCS grad daughter told me that she thought about half the girls in her class got extra time on tests. She was probably incorrect overall, but among her friends it was very common.

Not at NCS, but our HS freshman daughter at a private school told us a significant amount of her classmates got this also, as well as the notes handed to them by the teacher. Not nearly so many girls got this in her K8.

[Anonymous]

This is interesting to me as a new parent in the MS at NCS. My daughter would love extra time on tests in one subject but I don’t think she would actually qualify for it. Do you think all of these girls getting extra time on tests have demonstrated actual need? It doesn’t seem to ring true to me from my observations, limited as they may be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is interesting to me as a new parent in the MS at NCS. My daughter would love extra time on tests in one subject but I don’t think she would actually qualify for it. Do you think all of these girls getting extra time on tests have demonstrated actual need? It doesn’t seem to ring true to me from my observations, limited as they may be.

You can research how to answer questions for a neuropsych. I knew a few people who shopped around for ADD diagnoses in law school for extra time and for ritalin. I would not be surprised high school kids were doing the same decades later

[Anonymous]

My DD received 1.5 time on tests at NCS based on testing that was originally done in middle school. She didn't receive class notes or any extended time to hand in assignments. The other recommendations from her neuropsych testing including sitting toward the front of the room, etc., but weren't really need in the small classes at NCS. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is interesting to me as a new parent in the MS at NCS. My daughter would love extra time on tests in one subject but I don’t think she would actually qualify for it. Do you think all of these girls getting extra time on tests have demonstrated actual need? It doesn’t seem to ring true to me from my observations, limited as they may be.

Diagnosis shopping is a thing, especially among the hyper competitive parents in DC’s independent schools. You can figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn’t they honor the recommendations? I know they don’t have to but why wouldn’t they?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know the neuropsychology appointment is at least 4k and you also need notes from a teacher. I don’t believe you can just shop a diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know the neuropsychology appointment is at least 4k and you also need notes from a teacher. I don’t believe you can just shop a diagnosis.

I'm sure there are a few bad actors out there who for the right price will give you the diagnosis you want no matter the evidence, but I think you are right that most people who do this kind of testing are honest professionals and many can probably even see through those trying to game the system.

[Anonymous]

OP, as others have said, NCS will likely honor a recommendation for extra time with your neuropsych results, but that won’t help if what your daughter struggles with is workload and daily assignments. Schools will generally NOT allow changes to workload (reduced homework, for example). If your daughter just needs the occasional extra day or two for an English essay and can balance that with other work she might be fine, but NCS is extremely demanding with a very heavy workload. It might not be a good fit even with accommodations. I’m an NCS grad but didn’t even consider it for my daughter who gets extra time on tests. The workload would be crippling and it just wouldn’t be a good school for her.