McLean School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re new to McLean this year. MCPS was a total distasteful for my dyslexic child. We went in with reservations but have been totally wowed. My child receives specialized interventions in her small groups for math, reading, and writing. They’re grouped based on ability, which is determined by screening. She’s getting OG in reading and multi sensory approach in math, which she also needed. Unlike public school, where my child’s days were extremely long due to multiple tutor sessions as the IEP was not really helping, my child now gets everything she needs in her small teams, intervention wise, and happily comes home after school to no more tutors. The biggest thing I’ve seen is that she’s loving school again.

I don’t know where the additional tutor expenses comments come from. At least that hasn’t been the case for us in the lower school. We’re extremely happy and so is my child. The only thing we do after school is speech as we chose not to use the school’s SLP as we wanted to continue with the speech therapist that my child truly loves.

As an FYI, we went to McLean because our neuropsychologist recommended it.

That’s fantastic!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean parent here. Our child has ADHD-inattentive type and various other LDs, combined with advanced academics in some areas. the schools has been absolutely amazing at personalizing accommodations to bring out the best in him as a student and also accelerate his academics above grade level where needed. We love that in ever single subject there are 5 levels as a regular course of business. they seamlessly move kids to where they fit best pace-wise. I don't know anyone tutoring (though it is surely possible I'm just not in that loop). I think it is best of situations: college prep with support and accommodations where it helps. For us, it is 5 stars.

This sounds ideal. Does it continue the differentiated learning throughout high school? How do kids do when switching to college courses without differentiation?

We are not in HS yet, so not sure. But what we are seeing so far is that my son is learning which strategies work for him and which accommodations matter to him. By the time he gets to college this will just be his way of doing school, and he will know what to advocate for. a small example.... handwriting is a struggle for him and was a major problem for him before McLean - bad grades, self esteem, etc. Mclean has him doing nearly all his work via typing. His work is much better and he succeeding now. He will seek that accommodation if its not already a given in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know if it was just us, but we found the director of enrollment, Cathy Patterson, to be so cold and unwelcoming when we applied. Our child had a fantastic virtual interview with someone else and they really hit it off, and we loved the school info session, then we went to visit and met Cathy and it was not a great experience. It was such a let down after hearing all the great things about the school, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise as our kid ended up somewhere else that they really love.

Same experience here.

I actually felt that way with Cathy- and also with Bekah at Siena. At McLean tho, we did feel warmth and a different vibe with other staff, and notably for this convo, the Assistant Director, Taryn who seems great, warm and understanding- and she is probably the future of that front office if I had to guess.

[Anonymous]

as someone who's been on the independent school circuit a while I can tell you that you will never see the dir of enrollement or admissions after you are accepted. they have absolutely no part of the experience once you start. dont pick your school based on that. meet the head of school and the teachers!

[Anonymous]

Something is really wrong with Mclean school. For what I have been able to observe, they are not clear as to who or why they select to admit in the school. Their selection is not based on mild ADHD or Dyslexia, it is very subjective. It is a shame because they are misleading a lot of people.

[Anonymous]

Something is really wrong with Mclean school. For what I have been able to observe, they are not clear as to who or why they select to admit in the school. Their selection is not based on mild ADHD or Dyslexia as they advertised, it must be based on Cathy Patterson's subjectivity. It is a shame because they are misleading a lot of people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Something is really wrong with Mclean school. For what I have been able to observe, they are not clear as to who or why they select to admit in the school. Their selection is not based on mild ADHD or Dyslexia as they advertised, it must be based on Cathy Patterson's subjectivity. It is a shame because they are misleading a lot of people.

They told us outright they are about 60% dyslexic. Most kids have some diagnosis (ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, anxiety) or are kids who prefer smaller class sizes. DD got in last year but also got into Oakwood which is where we ultimately chose as they would be more rigorous with the dyslexia.

[Anonymous]

60% is a lot. I thought it was more diverse. Sounds like not a good school for a lot of students with other challenges.

[Anonymous]

good friend of mine applied and made her kid feel like he was getting in, he visited the campus, got really excited about attending, and then denied him with some BS reason and implied he should not apply again the following year. he was heartbroken. they definitely don't take kids they advertise that they take. they are scared of getting the LD-school label.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:as someone who's been on the independent school circuit a while I can tell you that you will never see the dir of enrollement or admissions after you are accepted. they have absolutely no part of the experience once you start. dont pick your school based on that. meet the head of school and the teachers!

That is definitely true, but you would think the school wants to put its best foot forward and have admissions people that are warm, friendly and excited about talking about school. Of course we wouldn't base picking a school on one person, but the admissions people are basically the gate keepers of the school, so if you don't click well with them I'd imagine that really hurts your chances of getting in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:good friend of mine applied and made her kid feel like he was getting in, he visited the campus, got really excited about attending, and then denied him with some BS reason and implied he should not apply again the following year. he was heartbroken. they definitely don't take kids they advertise that they take. they are scared of getting the LD-school label.

Having a kid come for a shadow visit and being friendly to him is not a sign of likely admittance. I'm sorry he was disappointed he didn't get in, but it sounds like his parents didn't do a good job managing his expectations.

[Anonymous]

We are on the waitlist and really hoping something comes through for our child. A lot of people on this thread have commented on negative aspects of the school with regards to identity and their experiences with admissions, school visits etc, but it would really helpful to also hear some positives/ good points (maybe from families currently or previously there?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:good friend of mine applied and made her kid feel like he was getting in, he visited the campus, got really excited about attending, and then denied him with some BS reason and implied he should not apply again the following year. he was heartbroken. they definitely don't take kids they advertise that they take. they are scared of getting the LD-school label.

That ship has sailed. All the kids there need help. Nobody is considering it for an entirely NT child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:good friend of mine applied and made her kid feel like he was getting in, he visited the campus, got really excited about attending, and then denied him with some BS reason and implied he should not apply again the following year. he was heartbroken. they definitely don't take kids they advertise that they take. they are scared of getting the LD-school label.

That ship has sailed. All the kids there need help. Nobody is considering it for an entirely NT child.

let's hope

[Anonymous]

My DS has been at McLean for 6 years. He is ADHD and extremely low processing skills, impulsivity issues and poor EF. McLean has done a lot for him.

So far this has been a wonderful school for us. In LS and MS, they offer PE every day, have flexible seating (my son tends to pick standing desks or rocking chairs), and offer OT on site (which you have to pay extra for.) In the lower school in core academic subjects like math the ratio was 1:3 one year and 1:4 another year, and those smaller class sizes are key to helping my son learn and stay on task. In MS they do a lot of work on organization and EF supports.

The school is not for everyone, but I think OP should tour the school and talk to some families with kids at the school and not accept vague insinuations from people who have no kids at the school.