What grades are best for private dyslexia-focused school?

[Anonymous]

My dyslexic kid is doing ok so far in school, but I fear that things will fall apart in upper elementary. If you sent your kid to Lab or another dyslexia-focused school, which grades were most important/helpful.

She loves her community in our neighborhood dcps, so I’m worried about pulling her out. Also, she’s already changed schools once due to a move, so switching to a private and then back out would be a lot of disruption…but it sounds like many people leave Lab for high school.

Thoughts? Her dyslexia is relatively mild in that she CAN read….but her pace is very slow, which means that everything takes her a very long time. We are doing tutoring 3 days/week.

[Anonymous]

Middle school would be a great time. That's when most kids really struggle, but if you can afford early then do it.

[Anonymous]

Early intervention is the best intervention--I would recommend 3rd grade if you can make it work

[Anonymous]

Earlier is better. Ideally, if you remediate early and shore up the reading, they can transition out of the dyslexia-specific school with accommodations by 8th grade or 9th at the latest.

[Anonymous]

you can try Lab for summer school, and get a sense of what you think of their ability to serve your daughter.

Lab has wayyyyy more boys than girls in secondary grades

[Anonymous]

We joined McLean in 3rd grade and it was a game changer. The intervention in lower school was substantial, confidence soared, and now she's in middle school there and thriving. Super involved in lots of different activities, great group of friends, and she's far more secure in who she is as a learner and where her strengths and challenges are. Ther'es a difference between doing 'ok' and really thriving. That's what we've seen. She probably could have kekpt on surviving at our local public school while I fought for an IEP. But, the support and rigor she gets now is perfect for her. Also for what it's worth, we came into this thinking just for the rest of elementary school but now I could see my daughrter staying through high school at McLean. Good luck! But yes - to echo what others said - earlier is better.

[Anonymous]

Earlier the better. Early intervention matters a lot for Brain plasticity, school engagement, social emotional and ability to keep on track for all things academic more.

[Anonymous]

I’d go as soon as you can with the goal of private with a dyslexia program for high school if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you can try Lab for summer school, and get a sense of what you think of their ability to serve your daughter.

Lab has wayyyyy more boys than girls in secondary grades

the current 8th grade is materially skewed - but 6th and 7th not as much

[Anonymous]

I have a different approach.

If you are doing the appropriate evidence based dyslexia tutoring, ie Orton Gillingham*certified*, and she is doing well socially and emotionally in her current school, then I would just up the tutoring frequency.

What one person said to me that really stuck, re my son who is at a school he is loving with friends, but has ADHD and dyslexia, you can supplement the academics with money, you can pay for tutoring for the dyslexia and help the EF with a coach or scaffolding etc, but you CANNOT pay for friends they click with or the social component of them being happy.

That stood out a lot for us. I'm not saying it's your casr, but another perspective. My son freaked out when I asked him if he even wanted to look at a dyslexia specific school. I was torn on what to do, then I got that advice and it made all the sense to me.

Best of luck!