School refusal - private school options in MC?

[Anonymous]

Butler Montessori is starting a high school program. It's a beautiful, serene campus with woods and creeks and strong academics but very low pressure. Kids will be given a lot of freedom to explore their interests including internships/career exploration. I don't know the extent of your child's issues but perhaps a change to a radically different school environment might help. Butler is not a school for special needs per se but could be a great fit for kids who don't like large pressure cooker environments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one with generalized anxiety + ADHD that led to school refusal. Fusion Rockville has been wonderful.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Butler Montessori is starting a high school program. It's a beautiful, serene campus with woods and creeks and strong academics but very low pressure. Kids will be given a lot of freedom to explore their interests including internships/career exploration. I don't know the extent of your child's issues but perhaps a change to a radically different school environment might help. Butler is not a school for special needs per se but could be a great fit for kids who don't like large pressure cooker environments.

Oh wow, this is good to know. My kids did summer camp at Butler many many years ago, it’s a fabulous place. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

We have almost the identical situation but are in VA. Please post if you have any suggestions there too.

We looked into Fusion and while it sounds interesting, it’s so expensive after we had the initial meeting. We can’t afford it full time right now.

[Anonymous]

I would also check Oneness Montessori. Very small classes even in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have almost the identical situation but are in VA. Please post if you have any suggestions there too.

We looked into Fusion and while it sounds interesting, it’s so expensive after we had the initial meeting. We can’t afford it full time right now.

I totally get this - Fusion parent here - the tuition is so much... why not consider signing your kid up for two summer school classes at Fusion Tysons? It might be the bridge your kid needs to dip a toe back into school and have a different experience. There are many kids who come just for summer or part time, but it is a generally welcoming, nurturing, low key environment.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you!

[Anonymous]

Would kid be willing to go to the private school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.

How did Nora handle the work refusal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.

How did Nora handle the work refusal?

Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.

How did Nora handle the work refusal?

Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.

Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.

How did Nora handle the work refusal?

Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.

Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?

Proactive. It's really built into their program, available to everyone. And when the already small chunks were still overwhelming, they worked with us to problem solve and have more frequent check ins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.

How did Nora handle the work refusal?

Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.

Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?

Proactive. It's really built into their program, available to everyone. And when the already small chunks were still overwhelming, they worked with us to problem solve and have more frequent check ins.

This sounds wonderful, thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid with autism, anxiety, and work refusal (not school refusal) is doing great at Nora.

How did Nora handle the work refusal?

Lots of support around anxiety, so child felt safe asking for help. Making most work done in class, instead of homework. Dividing assignments into really, really small pieces so that it wasn't overwhelming.

Thank you! This is really helpful. Were they proactive in implementing these supports when your kid first started there, or only after work was refused?

Proactive. It's really built into their program, available to everyone. And when the already small chunks were still overwhelming, they worked with us to problem solve and have more frequent check ins.

That sounds amazing. I'm over here crying that they don't have a middle school. Hoping we can find an interim solution to get through one more year but we will almost certainly be applying after that.