School for kid and who’s not that smart?

[Anonymous]

We’re looking for a private high school for our kid who struggles in math but does adequately at other subjects. No major LDs or other diagnoses. We’re trying to figure out whether there are any schools who would take a kid who would likely be a B/C student and is not an athlete. We live in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Look at the Schools That Change Lives Thread. If one or more have interesting niches for your kid...

[Anonymous]

Real question — why do you want a private school? If you can’t find pinpoint what it is about privates school that you want or need for your student, that might provide some guidance into what schools to look at.

But with no other info, it doesn’t hurt to apply broadly to schools a tier below the top. Look at FH, SSSAS, Ireton, O’Connell for example. All solid schools.

[Anonymous]

Consider if any of the more alternative schools would be appropriate. In Virginia, Howard Gardner, New School.

[Anonymous]

Bishop Ireton

[Anonymous]

So OP, with Ireton and OConnell, your child will have to take the HSPT. For SSSAS all are required again to take the SSAT. So that is in the mix. FH doesn’t require testing but will want grades and B/C coming in may be a tough sell to FH and to any of these. Additionally, FH and SSSAS both require a certain amount of on campus activities. The Catholic schools may as well. At SSSAS that typically amounts to 9 seasons of sports although it can be less with various electives. Bottom line is that everyone does some sports. So just not doing anything won’t be an option. Now that could be a plus because not everyone going to the school is a huge athlete so they offer a ton of options including sports with no cuts. But just opting out is not a thing.

[Anonymous]

Move to a neighborhood with better public schools offering more support for students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re looking for a private high school for our kid who struggles in math but does adequately at other subjects. No major LDs or other diagnoses. We’re trying to figure out whether there are any schools who would take a kid who would likely be a B/C student and is not an athlete. We live in Alexandria.

I would encourage you to engage other metrics besides math struggle and B/C grades in other subjects to judge whether or not your child is "smart."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move to a neighborhood with better public schools offering more support for students?

This is exactly the kind of student who falls through the cracks in public school. No disability, no individualized support, but not ready to be independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So OP, with Ireton and OConnell, your child will have to take the HSPT. For SSSAS all are required again to take the SSAT. So that is in the mix. FH doesn’t require testing but will want grades and B/C coming in may be a tough sell to FH and to any of these. Additionally, FH and SSSAS both require a certain amount of on campus activities. The Catholic schools may as well. At SSSAS that typically amounts to 9 seasons of sports although it can be less with various electives. Bottom line is that everyone does some sports. So just not doing anything won’t be an option. Now that could be a plus because not everyone going to the school is a huge athlete so they offer a ton of options including sports with no cuts. But just opting out is not a thing.

My kid at SSSAS will graduate with no sports, using performing arts credits instead. It can be done — but the kid has to sing, play an instrument, and/or do theater. Robotics is an option too but I’m not sure if that alone gets enough credits to avoid all sports. There are also classes that students can take for athletic credit rather than participating in team sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider if any of the more alternative schools would be appropriate. In Virginia, Howard Gardner, New School.

These are good schools for the right kid. Would be helpful to have more info from OP than just “mediocre student.”

[Anonymous]

This is why we have public schools. They are made for this type of student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move to a neighborhood with better public schools offering more support for students?

This is exactly the kind of student who falls through the cracks in public school. No disability, no individualized support, but not ready to be independent.

By high school it is already too late. No school is going to be holding their hand anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move to a neighborhood with better public schools offering more support for students?

This is exactly the kind of student who falls through the cracks in public school. No disability, no individualized support, but not ready to be independent.

+1 Private schools are for the very rich and for those who would struggle in a bigger public school without extra resources. OP, I think you would get more helpful responses if you ask this question again reframing as a recommendation for a kid in Alexandria who is getting mostly Bs/Cs. No one wants to recommend their school as a haven for the "not very smart."

[Anonymous]

OP here. Kid is currently at a private tnat primarily serves kids with learning differences—Commonwealth, Lab, Linder, that sort of thing. We moved there during the pandemic bc kid was socially a mess and not learning in public. Kid is really interested in a more mainstream school. I’d love to try that, but standardized test scores on math will be way below grade level, and language arts will be mediocre at best—kid always struggles on standardized tests. And in addition to not being athletic, her interests skew young. So I worry she can’t get in anywhere. Also don’t want to set up my kid for failure. But I understand the desire for a more traditional high school experience.