The Auburn School in Silver Spring

[Anonymous]

I am hoping to get information on The Auburn School in Silver Spring. Previous threads on here have spoken of the deterioration of the school post-pandemic, but I was wondering if it has improved at all in the past year or so. I have a child who has ADHD and LDs and mild behavior issues (emotional dysregulation due to frustration in the classroom and being bullied as well). Was hoping I could get some info on this school before we take the leap.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I’d be weary of sending a child with “behavior issues” to a school that claims focus on behavioral supports, and multiple staff claiming ABA backgrounds, but has only one BCBA/LBA on staff (that I can see from their website).

[Anonymous]

Auburn has been great for my son who has a similar profile!

While they have one Behavior Specialist, they have two Social Learning Specialists that do similar work as a Behavior Specialist does.

My son was also bullied before coming. The SLS met with us and created a support plan to address the previous trauma and supports so he could have friendships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Auburn has been great for my son who has a similar profile!

While they have one Behavior Specialist, they have two Social Learning Specialists that do similar work as a Behavior Specialist does.

My son was also bullied before coming. The SLS met with us and created a support plan to address the previous trauma and supports so he could have friendships.

Are they BCaBA certified?

[Anonymous]

I am looking at Auburn too. It seems to be a good fit in many ways but I'm not sure whether the teachers are certified or if so are they certified special educators? Does anyone else have recent experience? This is for a student in middle school.

[Anonymous]

A few teachers are certified but it’s not a requirement. What I was told on a recent tour

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d be weary of sending a child with “behavior issues” to a school that claims focus on behavioral supports, and multiple staff claiming ABA backgrounds, but has only one BCBA/LBA on staff (that I can see from their website).

Current Auburn SS parent. They are terrible at updating their website/staff bios. The Behavior Specialist for the SS campus isn’t even employed anymore. They hired a new one in January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d be weary of sending a child with “behavior issues” to a school that claims focus on behavioral supports, and multiple staff claiming ABA backgrounds, but has only one BCBA/LBA on staff (that I can see from their website).

Current Auburn SS parent. They are terrible at updating their website/staff bios. The Behavior Specialist for the SS campus isn’t even employed anymore. They hired a new one in January.

Can you speak to your experiences as a current parent? I’m also looking at Auburn

[Anonymous]

I wish the campus was closer to central
MoCo (Rockville). It sounds great but it’s so far from upcounty where there is a huge need for a program like auburn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d be weary of sending a child with “behavior issues” to a school that claims focus on behavioral supports, and multiple staff claiming ABA backgrounds, but has only one BCBA/LBA on staff (that I can see from their website).

Current Auburn SS parent. They are terrible at updating their website/staff bios. The Behavior Specialist for the SS campus isn’t even employed anymore. They hired a new one in January.

How is the new behavior specialist?

[Anonymous]

Former SS parent here. I see from the profiles that Emily Song who handled curriculum is gone...that's a good thing. On the other hand, Andy Hubner (HoS) and Ana McArdle (Director of Admissions) are still there and they really need to go. Really poor leaders. Jennifer Polkes, the former head of admissions was effectively running the school before the pandemic and when she left I think the school really suffered. Some of the new hires look promising so I hope they are turning things around.

[Anonymous]

I was a former parent whose child was kicked out even though Jennifer Polkes said they were a good fit. She never owned up to the promises she made us around the program and supports.

I have let go and moved on, my point is that each family has a set experience with the school etc. I would tour the school and see if you can chat with any families and make your own judgements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a former parent whose child was kicked out even though Jennifer Polkes said they were a good fit. She never owned up to the promises she made us around the program and supports.

I have let go and moved on, my point is that each family has a set experience with the school etc. I would tour the school and see if you can chat with any families and make your own judgements.

I am sorry you went through this, I imagine it sucked. As a parent currently trying to find a good fit for my 10 year old, where did you end up switching to? I do not want to have my child feel like they failed at yet another school.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at Commonwealth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a former parent whose child was kicked out even though Jennifer Polkes said they were a good fit. She never owned up to the promises she made us around the program and supports.

I have let go and moved on, my point is that each family has a set experience with the school etc. I would tour the school and see if you can chat with any families and make your own judgements.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Did you end up at another private school? If so, which one?