Independent or Catholic school for rising 9th grade

[Anonymous]

Looking ahead for rising 9th grader and schools we should start looking at this summer/fal (child currently in 7th). For those who just went through the high school 9th grade application process or can speak to experience at any of these schools, for a child with ADHD (no behavioral concerns) language disorder, anxiety, executive function needs, how would a school like DeMatha or Bishop O’Connell compare with an independent school like Burke/Bullis/Field for these needs? Tuition is significantly different. Child is very athletic.

[Anonymous]

Independent may have smaller class size. It really depends. Benefit of Catholic might be tuition cost and then you can supplement with outside support and still cost you less than independent school.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked into the St. John's Benilde Program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked into the St. John's Benilde Program?

Yes, seems more like study hall than actual real individualized support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked into the St. John's Benilde Program?

Yes, seems more like study hall than actual real individualized support.

Is this OP? Seems odd to say that if looking at other Catholic schools. Benilde is the gold standard with other schools following in their footsteps to create similar programs.

If this is OP and this was your take away from looking at Benilde then it sounds like Field or Burke is more what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Benilde is really study hall - sink or swim style at St John and I say this as parent to athletic, socially outgoing kid who has adhd and need help organizing, and reviewing work to get a solid b. Didn't happen for us at St Johns as we hoped. And my kid does not need to much support.

[Anonymous]

Not Field, they don't have this kind of support.

[Anonymous]

Commonwealth Academy. Catholic schools do not handle SNs well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked into the St. John's Benilde Program?

Yes, seems more like study hall than actual real individualized support.

Is this OP? Seems odd to say that if looking at other Catholic schools. Benilde is the gold standard with other schools following in their footsteps to create similar programs.

If this is OP and this was your take away from looking at Benilde then it sounds like Field or Burke is more what you are looking for.

Field and Burke don't have individualized support either. And they are likely not a great fit for someone who wants high level sports teams.

[Anonymous]

Girl? Try AHC. They have a program similar to SJC.

[Anonymous]

DC was in SJC Benilde and I disagree. It is not individualized, 1:1 assistance but it was a good program for leaning the executive functioning skills for success in HS.
DC and her counselors agreed she didn’t need the additional support this year, but it was a good program for those who are intelligent and highly motivated, but with LDs.

[Anonymous]

Unless you are deciding that a very specialized high school is right for your DC, you will most likely find there isn't a lot of individualized attention at the high school level. They are beginning to train your child for college where there is even less support. I would suggest picking the school which works for your child then working with an executive funtion professional and tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Benilde is really study hall - sink or swim style at St John and I say this as parent to athletic, socially outgoing kid who has adhd and need help organizing, and reviewing work to get a solid b. Didn't happen for us at St Johns as we hoped. And my kid does not need to much support.

How does it compare to Good Counsel’s Ryken?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC was in SJC Benilde and I disagree. It is not individualized, 1:1 assistance but it was a good program for leaning the executive functioning skills for success in HS.
DC and her counselors agreed she didn’t need the additional support this year, but it was a good program for those who are intelligent and highly motivated, but with LDs.

I have a kid in Benilde as well. I have been disappointed. It may be great for kids who don't need much support, but the real only benefit is that it allows them to take one less class during the year (they take it in the summer). I am afraid to ask any questions because my DC says that the administrator then embarrasses the kids when they read the email to them in class. There is 0 communication. If your child gets a D they are made to attend a mandatory homework club.

[Anonymous]

When looking for options a couple of years ago, Good Counsel’s program seemed to offer more support. Also at St. John’s while a reduced course load, you had to go to a summer Western Civ class if I remember. So for a student who may find school difficult, how would having very little break for two summers be that helpful. I heard this from our daughter looking at options.

Truthfully, she found the public school has worked out as very little homework assigned in 9th grade and you can retake tests. Parent does keep track of the assignments.

There are fewer options on more supported classes now in public high school. You might consider taking PE/health in summer to have a lighter course load and finding a good tutor/Ex Function Coach.