Son with ADHD, high test scores, middling grades. Which high schools are possible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not Sidwell?

Our school counselor said he likely wouldn't get it.

Are you Quaker?

No. We are Presbyterian. But I've worked in Quaker settings and believe the approach would be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

weekendready wrote:I strongly recommend you start by getting an evaluation, as it's required for admission to certain programs (for example, St. John's Benilde, which may be a good fit). It will help you know what your son needs, and a good evaluator will be able to recommend specific schools.

What do you mean by an evaluation. We've had a diagnosis at KKI and once upon a time my son had a 504 but he no longer is assessed by his school as meriting any accommodations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not Sidwell?

It's also not likely that Sidwell would be similar to your prior Quaker experience. We have found it is more Quaker in the list of things they "do not do" and not Quaker in terms of being supporting caring community. The student community is welcoming and open but the admin is not run in a supportive, open, caring way, especially if any sort of issue arises for a student's need or potential issue with a teacher. It is not a place you want to send a student who might have needs or might stumble - they will not work with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my son has ADHD and has learned a lot in school but hasn't turned in as much of his homework as I would like.
He is very well-behaved in class and would do well on school interviews.
He currently attends a progressive public charter school and is in seventh grade. We would like him to travel to school on his own using public transport.

We are the type of family that would normally enroll our kid in the local quaker school and be done with it. But, we all know, that's not a thing here. Sidwell seems lovely but he clearly wouldn't get in. And it's not your average quaker school.

He has around a 3.5 GPA.
He always does very well on standardized tests, though I know not all schools consider these.

We are a middle class family but fortunately our children have been given enough family money to cover high school and college.

We live in DC near the border with Maryland near St. Anselm's Abbey School.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can share your knowledge and thoughts.

Not really - you will not be missing out on any "lovely" by not attending Sidwell for HS.

If you like Quaker, have you considered Sandy Spring Friends School? They have busses.

GDS, Maret, Gonzaga, St Johns?

You really think a Catholic school is a great fit for a kid who spent 8+ years in a progressive charter school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my son has ADHD and has learned a lot in school but hasn't turned in as much of his homework as I would like.
He is very well-behaved in class and would do well on school interviews.
He currently attends a progressive public charter school and is in seventh grade. We would like him to travel to school on his own using public transport.

We are the type of family that would normally enroll our kid in the local quaker school and be done with it. But, we all know, that's not a thing here. Sidwell seems lovely but he clearly wouldn't get in. And it's not your average quaker school.

He has around a 3.5 GPA.
He always does very well on standardized tests, though I know not all schools consider these.

We are a middle class family but fortunately our children have been given enough family money to cover high school and college.

We live in DC near the border with Maryland near St. Anselm's Abbey School.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can share your knowledge and thoughts.

Not really - you will not be missing out on any "lovely" by not attending Sidwell for HS.

If you like Quaker, have you considered Sandy Spring Friends School? They have busses.

GDS, Maret, Gonzaga, St Johns?

You really think a Catholic school is a great fit for a kid who spent 8+ years in a progressive charter school?

We’ve been in both - with a 504 - and had a good experience. As with most schools, it depends on the student and the particular school whether it is a good fit.

What has your experience been in both?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my son has ADHD and has learned a lot in school but hasn't turned in as much of his homework as I would like.
He is very well-behaved in class and would do well on school interviews.
He currently attends a progressive public charter school and is in seventh grade. We would like him to travel to school on his own using public transport.

We are the type of family that would normally enroll our kid in the local quaker school and be done with it. But, we all know, that's not a thing here. Sidwell seems lovely but he clearly wouldn't get in. And it's not your average quaker school.

He has around a 3.5 GPA.
He always does very well on standardized tests, though I know not all schools consider these.

We are a middle class family but fortunately our children have been given enough family money to cover high school and college.

We live in DC near the border with Maryland near St. Anselm's Abbey School.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can share your knowledge and thoughts.

Not really - you will not be missing out on any "lovely" by not attending Sidwell for HS.

If you like Quaker, have you considered Sandy Spring Friends School? They have busses.

GDS, Maret, Gonzaga, St Johns?

You really think a Catholic school is a great fit for a kid who spent 8+ years in a progressive charter school?

NP: in our experience, yes. Why do assume not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, my son has ADHD and has learned a lot in school but hasn't turned in as much of his homework as I would like.
He is very well-behaved in class and would do well on school interviews.
He currently attends a progressive public charter school and is in seventh grade. We would like him to travel to school on his own using public transport.

We are the type of family that would normally enroll our kid in the local quaker school and be done with it. But, we all know, that's not a thing here. Sidwell seems lovely but he clearly wouldn't get in. And it's not your average quaker school.

He has around a 3.5 GPA.
He always does very well on standardized tests, though I know not all schools consider these.

We are a middle class family but fortunately our children have been given enough family money to cover high school and college.

We live in DC near the border with Maryland near St. Anselm's Abbey School.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can share your knowledge and thoughts.

Not really - you will not be missing out on any "lovely" by not attending Sidwell for HS.

If you like Quaker, have you considered Sandy Spring Friends School? They have busses.

GDS, Maret, Gonzaga, St Johns?

You really think a Catholic school is a great fit for a kid who spent 8+ years in a progressive charter school?

NP: in our experience, yes. Why do assume not?

+3 NP. My ADHD DC went to a progressive school for k-8 and is now at a Catholic high school. DC has taken off academically and it has been a great experience. DC has found the more traditional structure of the Catholic school actually helps with executive functioning. Definitely look at Gonzaga and SJC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not Sidwell?

It's also not likely that Sidwell would be similar to your prior Quaker experience. We have found it is more Quaker in the list of things they "do not do" and not Quaker in terms of being supporting caring community. The student community is welcoming and open but the admin is not run in a supportive, open, caring way, especially if any sort of issue arises for a student's need or potential issue with a teacher. It is not a place you want to send a student who might have needs or might stumble - they will not work with you.

We are at a Quaker school in a different city and have encountered this there also. They have expectations and are not interested in people who don’t meet them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSFS

+1

[Anonymous]

Your son sounds a lot like our DS. Our DS is a rising sophomore at Georgetown Prep. ADHD diagnosis, assessment (from Dr. Ness), medication, capable of scoring highly on tests and capable of not handing homework in on time. I hope you find a good fit for your DS. Our DS absolutely loves Prep.