Public versus lab/sienna for mildly dyslexic kid?

[Anonymous]

What is are Lab and Sienna like for kids with relatively mild dyslexia (i.e. tests as “on or above garde level” on I-ready, but neuropsyche reveals dyslexia)?

We are deciding between intensive reading tutoring outside of school versus having those services baked into school at a private. I’m wondering how families with kids similar to mine (gifted and dyslexic) liked Lab and Sienna. Curious about social aspects and academic aspects of each school. For how long were your kids there? Where did they go to high school?

[Anonymous]

I mean if you are made of money sure?

But before you place your child in a more restrictive setting for a lot of money why not get a second opinion about this paper dyslexia diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

OP you didn't say what grade your DD is in. You should ask Lab and Siena how many of their students do private dyslexia remediation before and/or during their time when enrolled. I believe the number is pretty high.

[Anonymous]

We chose Siena for our mildly dyslexic DC because doing intensive tutoring after school was exhausting for them and didn’t leave time for extracurriculars in their areas of strength. DC has greatly benefited from reading instruction built into the school day. The students I’ve seen who require additional tutoring seem to have more significant deficits.

DC has also learned self-advocacy skills and assistive technology. Just being around other dyslexic students and understanding better how their brain works—challenges and strengths—has been really great. School isn’t perfect but I’m glad we’ve been able to send DC there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We chose Siena for our mildly dyslexic DC because doing intensive tutoring after school was exhausting for them and didn’t leave time for extracurriculars in their areas of strength. DC has greatly benefited from reading instruction built into the school day. The students I’ve seen who require additional tutoring seem to have more significant deficits.

DC has also learned self-advocacy skills and assistive technology. Just being around other dyslexic students and understanding better how their brain works—challenges and strengths—has been really great. School isn’t perfect but I’m glad we’ve been able to send DC there.

This reflects our Siena experience as well. We did not have to get a reading tutor in addition to the reading instruction provided by Siena. I would add that writing and spelling and handwriting instruction were also really critical for DS, and Siena provided this in a way that public school did not.

[Anonymous]

OP, it seems like you need more info.

But you will be better off doing private tutoring. Siena is not what it used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose Siena for our mildly dyslexic DC because doing intensive tutoring after school was exhausting for them and didn’t leave time for extracurriculars in their areas of strength. DC has greatly benefited from reading instruction built into the school day. The students I’ve seen who require additional tutoring seem to have more significant deficits.

DC has also learned self-advocacy skills and assistive technology. Just being around other dyslexic students and understanding better how their brain works—challenges and strengths—has been really great. School isn’t perfect but I’m glad we’ve been able to send DC there.

This reflects our Siena experience as well. We did not have to get a reading tutor in addition to the reading instruction provided by Siena. I would add that writing and spelling and handwriting instruction were also really critical for DS, and Siena provided this in a way that public school did not.

Same experience at Siena as these two posters for our DC as well.

[Anonymous]

I would do private tutoring and really do an intensive summer program through Lab or ASDEC, which you should sign up for now. Assess how it's going in the fall and if you want to apply to private.

You're too late for this admissions cycle for Lab at least. I'm not sure about Siena, and Chelsea is another one to consider.

If your child is happy and learning, that would point to keeping in public with private tutoring.

[Anonymous]

We looked at Lab and Siena but picked McLean for our dyslexic daughter. It's been so wonderful. We felt her needs weren't as intense as what Siena and Lab were offering and also she'd be able to still get involved in activiites she likes and have a wider social circle at McLean. Also - I disagree about the 'too late for admissions cycle'. We didn't apply till end of January to Lab and McLean last year and got into both. You should explore things.

[Anonymous]

We moved DC to a mainstream private and did private tutoring (school allowed it during the day).

We have heard that at Siena, Mcclean, and Lab (have friends with kids at all), the teachers don’t necessarily push the kids to achieve (the ones with high academic potential). It’s also not a “typical” school experience in a lot of ways (sports, clubs, etc).

My DC (mild dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, anxiety) gets pretty good support but also gets encouraged to push themselves academically at their mainstream private. The only thing I wish they did better was teach how to use technology. DC has access to assistive technology but they are not taught how to use it, so that’s left to us (family) to teach.

[Anonymous]

my child is at lab and it actually is a regular school experience with clubs. I do think they could push a little harder for kids who excel in one area. It's a fantastic school. I don't really think it's necessary to send a mildly dyslexic person there though. I would probably do McLean if it's really mild.