Diener - info and tuition

[Anonymous]

We're not sure our son's private school is right for him and are interested in the Diener School. From what I have read and heard, it looks great - our son has some executive functioning issues, some delays, and also possibly some attention (though not hyperactivity) issues. BUT cost is a huge factor, and I'm fearing the worst with Diener because nothing is listed on the website. Does anyone know the tuition for Diener? For those of you with children there, how is it going?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I think Diener may be too much school for him. My DS has the same issues, and toured the school. Seems that the kiddos have more "serious" issues.

I think their tuition is about $35K.

[Anonymous]

My dc is there and LOVES it. Definitely worth going to talk to them and see for yourself. There is a wide population of kids there -- many on grade level and some who have more delays. But a great group of kids overall. Yes, the tuition is very high but it is worth going to discuss as the website does say there is some aid available, I believe. It is such a warm, nurturing atmosphere and the kids get so much OT and ST integrated throughout the week. I don't want to give too much info to identify my dc but I can't say enough good things about it and each child's curriculum is individualized so if your dc is at a higher reading or math level, he/she will be in a higher math or reading group and will get harder work (or lower as the case may be). And no offense to the pp, but please let the op go and make his/her own determination about whether the school is right for them -- it is impossible for us to know based on what is written about their child. Also, I don't mean to be defensive but unless you are at a school, you can't make generalizations based on a visit that lasted a couple of hours. At these small, new schools, the populations change a lot year to year. Lots of new high functioning kids at Diener this year. I won't apologize for being a cheerleader for the place -- the staff is incredible. 6-7 kids per class w/ 2 teachers -- that's why the tuition is what it is.

[Anonymous]

I am a little confused by the PP. You say you can't judge the school based on a visit, but you must visit the school to understand the school. Regardless, it sounds like you have found a great match for your child and that is what is most important. There is nothing like finding a place where your child thrives and is happy.

To the OP..does your child have a developmental pediatrician? If so, that person might be a valuable resource in finding the right private. If your child has a private ST or OT that person may also be familiar as well.

[Anonymous]

To clarify, what I meant was that you can only know whether it is right for your child based on the visit. You can't know whether it is right for any other child -- especially based on limited facts in a post. My dc has a similar fact pattern to the op and the school is the right fit and it wasn't for the first pp. All I meant was that it is in the op's interest to go visit and judge on his/her own and not dismiss it based on the first pp's experience. Also, what you see in a 2 hour (or whatever) visit is very limited and we weren't sure what to expect about peers and the social dynamics at the beginning of the year but have been very relieved that it has turned out positively. So, sometimes, you do have to take a leap of faith because everything else (curriculum, staff, etc.) was so positive and we are lucky that it is working out so well -- I do know that.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you for the responses.

To the Diener parent - I know you don't want to identify yourself on a public message board, but I'd love to hear more about Diener. Would you kindly email me off-list? [e-mail]

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

For what it's worth, as an educator (not at Diener) I think they have one of the most sound and comprehensive Missions underneath what they actually do. Why not ask them if there are any parents, current or past, who would be willing to be contacted. I would also be totally frank with the questions you have about everything. You are interviewing them as much as vice versa.

[Anonymous]

hh

[Anonymous]

The kids that I know who attend Diener (3 families) have learning and social concerns. I've toured twice, and they seem very welcoming, but I never got a sense of how their mission 'plays out' with a such a variety of kids. Two families I know left because they felt there was little/no communication or partnership between family and school. Also, they felt that there was a one plan fits all attitude, rather than an individuallized approach.

I do not have kids there, but know these families and their kids very well. I did not feel it suited my child who had no academic concerns, only social-emotional.

[Anonymous]

OP, you might also want to take a look at McLean.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate what the pp is saying about the school and yes, many students there do have learning differences. But, as a new (only 4 years old), small school Diener is constantly evolving to adapt to the needs of its current student body. For example, the staff noticed recently that several students weren't engaging at recess so they modified recess to have several structured activities like nature walks or kickball and they found this has helped a lot. My dc is strong in a couple of academic areas and weak in others. DC gets enrichment in the areas of strength and extra help in areas of weakness. Certainly, there are going to be people who are going to be unhappy with any program. But we have found the administrators and teachers open and willing to communicate and find solutions to help our child.

[Anonymous]

H

[Anonymous]

I would be very careful about Diener. Kids are great. Admin is not. Ask how many teachers or assistants have been fired or quit since they opened--many mid-year.

[Anonymous]

In addition to Diener - based on how you describe your DC you may also want to check out Compass Academy which is a brand new school this year. Better yet Compass has an open house scheduled for this Sunday 11 March at 2pm so come visit. As a Compass parent I have been very happy with Compass this year and want to help get the word out abuot the school's existence to other families whose children could benefit!

[url]http://www.compassacademymd.org/[url]

Compass Academy serves bright students with various learning differences that hinder their ability to learn in typical classroom settings. If your child has difficulties with peer relationships, self-advocacy, executive functioning, problem-solving and general social skills deficiencies due to diagnoses such as: language-based disabilities, high functioning autism and/or ADD/ADHD, Compass Academy can be the right fit to meet the academic and social needs of your child.

Compass Academy provides a comprehensive educational program for students in grades 1-12 with average to above-average cognitive ability who are high school diploma bound with aspirations for post-secondary study. In addition to a rigorous curriculum customized to address each student's unique learning strengths and challenges, Compass Academy offers:

- MSDE Curriculum
- Low student/teacher ratios (6:1 grades 1-8; 9:1 HS)
- Highly qualified staff
- Individualized and small group instruction
- Support Services
- Researched-based instructional techniques
- Organization and study skills training
- Integrated and individual social skills training
- High School Guidance Counselor
- Computer Lab plus in-class Smart Board technology

Compass Academy, 4601 Maple Avenue, Halethorpe, MD 21227, 410/501-3571

[Anonymous]

Very interesting article in the March/April issue of Bethesda Magazine about the woman (Denier) who started this school and how it began as the result of not finding the right fit school for one of her sons. So, she started her own!