ADHD support at STA and Landon
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Anonymous
| Relocating to DC for fall 2026 and looking for nuance between some of the all boys middle schools, specifically St Albans and Landon. We are not Catholic but might also look at Georgetown Prep and Gonzaga. We will select housing after school so that is not a factor. Child is coming from a rigorous all boys school that has been supportive with his ADHD. He is smart, likes sports, friendly. Specifically looking for 8th grade. |
Anonymous
| What kind of supports are you looking for? Other than extended time. |
Anonymous
| Gonzaga and Prep don’t have 8th. |
Anonymous
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Also, when you get there, Gonzaga and Prep don't provide a lot of accommodations. For high school DeMatha might be a better fit or one of the non-Catholic privates.
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Anonymous
| Landon isn't great for ADHD either but would ask at interview |
Anonymous
Plus, even for 9th, not being Catholic, not coming from a Catholic feeder school, not being an athlete and requiring significant “support” would suggest that getting him admitted might be a problem. |
Anonymous
How did you get to “not an athlete” from OP’s description that he “likes sports”? |
Anonymous
| Depends on how much support your child needs ... schools like Mater Dei (ends after 8th) and the Heights are known for being more accommodating. |
Anonymous
| Landon will give extra time and they have learning specialists. STA would be a disaster for an ADHD kid. Landon can work if your son can advocate for himself and doesn't need a ton of support. Lot's of boys at Landon with ADHD. |
Anonymous
| Can you elaborate on why STA would be a bad choice for a kid with ADHD? |
Anonymous
Because it's a very rigorous and intense school that holds kids to very high and demanding standards. If you apply, be very honest about the ADHD and ask about supports. If they don't want a kid with ADHD - and I doubt they do - trust me, you want him to be rejected. |
Anonymous
| Commonwealth academy in Alexandria was a game changer for my gifted ADHD kid. |
Anonymous
That’s helpful, thank you. Not OP, but we have applied to STA for DS with ADHD that is well managed. He’s very academic but his executive functioning skills are still not well developed. |
Anonymous
It's a super rigorous place that moves at a fast pace with a lot of homework and long school days (8am-6pm by high school with the required sports commitment). It's not "one size fits all" and they want boys who can not only keep up but thrive. |
Anonymous
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Of the schools listed by OP, I think Landon would be best for her son. I would also suggest you look at Burke. Not single sex but great at supporting smart kids. Also, St. John’s has the Benilde program, again not single sex but works for many kids. StJs also great for kids that love sports and in DC at nice location.
https://www.stjohnschs.org/academics/benilde-program |