Alternative HS: Fusion v Templeton v Nora

[Anonymous]

Talk to Parkmont. They have a range of kids and a truly alternative structure that includes substantial year round internships and a very different schedule.

It has been fantastic for our kid and surprisingly sophisticated academically. One senior is off to Princeton next year.

The teachers are incredibly smart and cool. We looked at and visited all of the schools on your list and found the Parkmont team to be significantly more experienced, worldly and talented. It’s a hidden gem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to Parkmont. They have a range of kids and a truly alternative structure that includes substantial year round internships and a very different schedule.

It has been fantastic for our kid and surprisingly sophisticated academically. One senior is off to Princeton next year.

The teachers are incredibly smart and cool. We looked at and visited all of the schools on your list and found the Parkmont team to be significantly more experienced, worldly and talented. It’s a hidden gem.

OP wasn't even on the radar until you mentioned it. Thank you and we will look into it.

[Anonymous]

I have a similar MSer at Fusion now and we are hoping for Nora for high school. Fusion is a great place to recover from burnout at public school, but we don't want to stay long term - in addition to the cost, the variable schedule starts to wear on family life, and the social interaction is slim.

We toured Templeton and it seemed a bit more academically demanding than my kid was ready for, plus a huge portion of the grade comes from spoken presentations, and the campus is really noisy. I think some kids with anxiety do well here by virtue of it's size and alternative nature, but it isn't their priority.

Everything I find out about Nora, though, says that this IS what they do - Nora just seems *designed* to welcome and take on this type of kid.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a similar MSer at Fusion now and we are hoping for Nora for high school. Fusion is a great place to recover from burnout at public school, but we don't want to stay long term - in addition to the cost, the variable schedule starts to wear on family life, and the social interaction is slim.

We toured Templeton and it seemed a bit more academically demanding than my kid was ready for, plus a huge portion of the grade comes from spoken presentations, and the campus is really noisy. I think some kids with anxiety do well here by virtue of it's size and alternative nature, but it isn't their priority.

Everything I find out about Nora, though, says that this IS what they do - Nora just seems *designed* to welcome and take on this type of kid.

Good luck!

OP Extremely helpful. Thank you so much for posting. We were also concerned about the lack of socialization at Fusion. There is a very large difference in tuition between Nora and Templeton. I am not sure if that is a factor in your choice.

[Anonymous]

Looked at all of these except Fusion. Enthusiastically chose Templeton in the end, but left the process with very high opinion of Parkmont too!

[Anonymous]

I know of a child with anxiety who moved from a large public to Templeton this year and is much happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to Parkmont. They have a range of kids and a truly alternative structure that includes substantial year round internships and a very different schedule.

It has been fantastic for our kid and surprisingly sophisticated academically. One senior is off to Princeton next year.

The teachers are incredibly smart and cool. We looked at and visited all of the schools on your list and found the Parkmont team to be significantly more experienced, worldly and talented. It’s a hidden gem.

I was about to suggest Parkmont as well. They are wonderful. Smart, knowledgable and experienced. My kid thrives there and is now away at college and doing very well.

[Anonymous]

Our child is at Fusion and loves it. ADHD and screen addiction is the reason we moved her from her highly regarded school. She entered at the end of 7th grade and has done extremely well. She loves it and we will keep her there through high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child is at Fusion and loves it. ADHD and screen addiction is the reason we moved her from her highly regarded school. She entered at the end of 7th grade and has done extremely well. She loves it and we will keep her there through high school.

Can you say more about how fusion helped with the screen addiction? We toured it and wanted to like it, but were turned off by all the kids being on their phones instead of interacting in the social homework cafe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would McLean or Burke perhaps be a fit.
You could also try to do community college classes at least for the last two years of high school. Best of luck

People are really misinformed about these two schools and the profiles of students they accept. Neither is suitable for the student described. Burke is a d a standard high school for quirky kids in or above grade level. McLean is pretty strictly focused on kids with ADHD and actively rejects kids more complex diagnoses including depression, ASD, or dyslexia. People should learn more about the schools they’re recommending before offering up schools that just seem nonstandard to them. It’s not helpful to those looking to send them on a misinformed wild goose chase.

[Anonymous]

GW Community School in Springfield is something to look into - its right off the beltway (with express lanes) so the commute is actually not as bad as you might think from DC