Best VA private schools for kids with ADHD and learning disabilities

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

We're beginning to consider whether DS, who has ADHD and (unspecified) learning disabilities, might be better served by a private school that specializes in working with kids like him. We love his public school but wonder whether he would benefit from smaller classes and more intensively targeted services. We're in VA but could consider a DC-based school like the Lab School as well. Appreciate thoughts/perspectives on whether this would be a worthwhile move or whether, in fact, we should stick with public education (which we believe in).

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don't know your son and where he will be most successful, but my kids have thrived in smaller environments in which they are "normal," and where "services" are just part of the everyday routine, rather than something special for which we have to advocate. (DD is in public now, but a specialized private when she was younger; DS is special/private now.)

Lab is an excellent school. It (and other private schools) will require a recent psychoeducational evaluation, which is a fancy way of saying a WISC plus whatever tests are necessary to diagnose your son's specific learning disabilities and other challenges. If you don't have those tests ready to go, or haven't had them in the past 1-2 years (I can't remember Lab's time requirement) you should start making appointments now, as sometimes it takes a while to get in with the professionals.

Oakwood is the major LD school in NoVA. It and Lab both have a good sense of whom they can and cannot serve; it would be very worthwhile to attend their open houses and perhaps chat with their admissions staff (earlier is better - private school application season will start soon for the 2011-12 year).

Some people on this forum like the McLean School in Potomac as well (to be distinguished from the Potomac School in McLean) .

Newton is a new school that incorporates a lot of physical activity into the day, which can be good for kids with ADHD.

[Anonymous]

PP gives good suggestions. Definitely look into getting a psycho-educational eval for IQ and to determine learning issues. Find a place that knows the private schools well and can advise you on what schools may be a good fit once the evaluator has met and evaluated your child.

Does your child have an IEP at the public school? McLean School and Flint Hill often have students who need the small class size and the extra support, but who did not qualify for IEPs. Oakwood and Lab can support more of a range of learning issues and I would suspect most of the students at these places would qualify for an IEP. All 4schools metioned are supposed to be quite good according to what we have heard over the years from friends.

[Anonymous]

OP here. DS does have an IEP - he was tested in public school last year and got it on the basis of his ADHD and his testing. Within the testing, it appears that he has some processing issues and I would say he has dyslexia at this point. The school has declined to label him thus far. No complaints about the amount of services he gets but he's still below grade level in reading/writing/math.

[Anonymous]

Did you see the post for the exceptional schools fair, OP? Might be a good way to get info from a lot of schools at once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all,

We're beginning to consider whether DS, who has ADHD and (unspecified) learning disabilities, might be better served by a private school that specializes in working with kids like him. We love his public school but wonder whether he would benefit from smaller classes and more intensively targeted services. We're in VA but could consider a DC-based school like the Lab School as well. Appreciate thoughts/perspectives on whether this would be a worthwhile move or whether, in fact, we should stick with public education (which we believe in).

Thanks!

I should choose and get into any private schools adhd. For parents, who have ADHD or ADD children, it's quite frustrating to see how traditional public and private schools treat their children. For those who have ADD and ADHD have special needs that may not be met in an academic environment that is not tailored specifically for them. There are some special kids who are bright but misunderstood children. They don't reach their full potential because of their attitude and they cannot thrive in a school where they are seen as just disruptive, lazy, absent-minded or even stupid. Special kids needs special treatment. Move to private school.

[Anonymous]

My ds has adhd and learning disabilities as well as anxiety which affects his interactions with peers. He attends The Diener School in Potomac. There are a number of families from VA who go there. Perhaps carpools could be arranged to ease the commute. In any event, I can't say enough good things about Diener. My ds has made great strides academically and socially. We had a great IEP in a public school but my ds still floundered academically and especially, socially. One of the best things about Diener is that my son now has a peer group of kids just like him. He has real friends which he didn't have in public. He now enjoys going to school and even reads for pleasure (whereas before he hardly ever picked up a book). Is it perfect? No, but no school is. Are there kids who occasionally misbehave? Of course, but kids misbehave in public school too. Like Newton, there is an emphasis on physical activity with an awesome fitness teacher, Mr. Aaron, and also weekly instruction from Fitness for Health. Call and talk to the admissions director and she will be able to give you a feel for whether it is the right environment for your child.

[Anonymous]

I live in NO. VA and fairly new to this state. What are the full names of these schools and where are they located?

[Anonymous]

This is based on what we were told by a clinician and a few parents we know with kids at the various schools, but I may not be remembering correctly.

All schools mentioned below have bright children with learning issues, but the schools vary in terms of the amount of support and attention they can provide and degree of training staff must have to work with learning issues. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong....



Accomodates very mild learning disabilities and/or mild attention issues &offer inclusive program with those who do not have learning disabilities, but limitations in terms of what special education services can be provided:

St. Andrews in Md.
Flint Hill School in Va.
McLean School of Maryland

Can accomodate mild to moderate learning issues and attention issues and can provide specialized services.:

Lab School of Washington
Kingsbury School in DC or MD-don't recall
(I think I was told Kingsbury has a gifted and learning disabled program)

Small class sizes. Can accomodate moderate learning issues (bright kids who need extra support), mild to moderate attention issues, mild to moderate pragmatic needs and some sensory issues (as long as there is not a behavior issue) with small classes and lots of good and highly trained support staff:

Katherine Thomas School in MD
Maddux School in MD
Deiner School in MD
Oakwood School in Va
Newton School in Va.

Smallest class sizes and can accomodate moderate learning issues, etc as well as attention issues and sensory issues with extra small class sizes and highly trained teachers and support staff. This is for kids with lots of potential who need an extra boost and and a flexible and creative approach at the present time in order to show their true skills. All kids could benefit from this approach of course.:

Shrier or is it Shire in Va (just opened a year or two ago)
Ivy Mount School in MD

Please anyone feel free to correct me if I have made a mistake or have generalized too much.

[Anonymous]

IMHO, Flint Hill Has high profile families of unbearable children (boys). GL, OP.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the OP, but we are searching for a school, too. What do you mean by Flint Hill, re: unbearable children? Difficult behavior problems or what?

[Anonymous]

My son has not attended this school as of yet. However, other than the cost, I would recommend it to any chilyd in need of social skills and a non-public school way of learning

The Auburn School

Chantilly, VA
Silver Spring, MD

[sharonda1998]

Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria, VA! I'm surprised it has not been posted already! Our 4th grader who has dyslexia and mild ADD will attend this year and after talking with multiple parents, it was the right decision for us.

[Anonymous]

NP Just wanted to point out this is an old reactivated thread but I agree with sharonda1998. For ADHD, I would recommend Commonwealth Academy. We have been there four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP Just wanted to point out this is an old reactivated thread but I agree with sharonda1998. For ADHD, I would recommend Commonwealth Academy. We have been there four years.

What about significant ADHD, where your child needs a lot of individualized attention?