Linder v Sycamore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My impression having a kid at one and close friends at the other:
Linder is for kids with a diagnosis or two
Sycamore is for quirky kids

Both serve kids who fail to thrive at regular public/private.

There are downsides to each - really only worth considering if your kid is absolutely miserable elsewhere.

Correct that Sycamore works for kids who failed to thrive in bigger schools and has the limitations (and pluses) of a very small school.

Not correct that Sycamore kids don't have various diagnoses. The school is careful to accept the kids it can work with, so it's not for a full range or degree of learning challenges. That's why an interview is so useful.

My autistic daughter applied to sycamore and was accepted. Although she didn't end up going there, I was impressed by how carefully they read her neuropsych and asked questions to ensure that they would be able to support her.

Yes, Sycamore has a lot of students on the spectrum to some extent and knows how to work with them to get their best engagement in class. But it's not a school for autistic kids who are minimally reactive at all, if that makes sense as a distinction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another difference if it matters to you is Linder is no/low tech while Sycamore uses much more tech.

Does Sycamore test on computers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another difference if it matters to you is Linder is no/low tech while Sycamore uses much more tech.

Does Sycamore test on computers?

Sycamore doesn't have tests. It's a mastery-based curriculum that evaluates skills and competencies. Students are assessed over a variety of projects and exercises.

For those wondering, the current seniors still had an excellent range of college acceptances.

[Anonymous]

Can you elaborate on the colleges? I know that most colleagues have minimum requirements (e.g., 4 years English, 3 math, etc.), but it looks like there is only time during the day for four classes plus a "project" day vs. five core subjects (English, math, history, science, language). Am curious as to whether the approach in any way would take a cluster of colleges off the table? As I have no clue what my kid will like, I'd hate to put him in a position where he only could apply to say, small liberal arts schools, or schools that don't have minimum requirements, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate on the colleges? I know that most colleagues have minimum requirements (e.g., 4 years English, 3 math, etc.), but it looks like there is only time during the day for four classes plus a "project" day vs. five core subjects (English, math, history, science, language). Am curious as to whether the approach in any way would take a cluster of colleges off the table? As I have no clue what my kid will like, I'd hate to put him in a position where he only could apply to say, small liberal arts schools, or schools that don't have minimum requirements, etc.

All of the required subjects are covered in the blended Experience classes plus other classes and electives. No colleges are "off the table" at all. Last year, seniors were accepted at most of the main universities in Virginia plus Columbia, Bryn Mawr, U. Delaware, Connecticut College, Haverford, SUNY, Wesleyan, Fordham, etc.

Just contact the Admissions officer to discuss how the curriculum and transcript lead to these acceptances.

[Anonymous]

We have looked at both for different kids with varying needs. We ended up at Linder for one (and another school) and am extremely pleased with the individual attention, meeting kids where they are and helping them grow, understanding and acceptance of all children, outdoor time, not an over reliance on computers, and progress overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have heard negative reviews about Linder from a friend who is pulling their child out for middle school. Sycamore seems much more established and stable as an institution, and better equipped and more focused on teens in particular (we visited but didn’t end up applying). I think Sycamore is the better option for middle and high school grades. Linder seems more focused on younger kids.

We pulled out for middle school. It served its purpose but we didn’t want our kid to stay there any longer than absolutely needed. The peer group was not a good influence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate on the colleges? I know that most colleagues have minimum requirements (e.g., 4 years English, 3 math, etc.), but it looks like there is only time during the day for four classes plus a "project" day vs. five core subjects (English, math, history, science, language). Am curious as to whether the approach in any way would take a cluster of colleges off the table? As I have no clue what my kid will like, I'd hate to put him in a position where he only could apply to say, small liberal arts schools, or schools that don't have minimum requirements, etc.

All of the required subjects are covered in the blended Experience classes plus other classes and electives. No colleges are "off the table" at all. Last year, seniors were accepted at most of the main universities in Virginia plus Columbia, Bryn Mawr, U. Delaware, Connecticut College, Haverford, SUNY, Wesleyan, Fordham, etc.

Just contact the Admissions officer to discuss how the curriculum and transcript lead to these acceptances.

Those are some impressive admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate on the colleges? I know that most colleagues have minimum requirements (e.g., 4 years English, 3 math, etc.), but it looks like there is only time during the day for four classes plus a "project" day vs. five core subjects (English, math, history, science, language). Am curious as to whether the approach in any way would take a cluster of colleges off the table? As I have no clue what my kid will like, I'd hate to put him in a position where he only could apply to say, small liberal arts schools, or schools that don't have minimum requirements, etc.

All of the required subjects are covered in the blended Experience classes plus other classes and electives. No colleges are "off the table" at all. Last year, seniors were accepted at most of the main universities in Virginia plus Columbia, Bryn Mawr, U. Delaware, Connecticut College, Haverford, SUNY, Wesleyan, Fordham, etc.

Just contact the Admissions officer to discuss how the curriculum and transcript lead to these acceptances.

I think only 8 or 9 graduated so question this list. I think this pster is listing all of the schools that kids have gotten into ever.

[Anonymous]

I had a child in TSS for middle school. They have "a diagnosis or two" and none of them is autism but they also have a high IQ. For the kids with autism, it seems like the smart ones who, more or less, want to be left alone and get some 1:1 instruction when needed, do well there.

It's a great school for ADHD in that they teach organization as a core feature of the school.

It's a great school for who are acyncroynous like behind in English but letter grades ahead in math.

It's a great school for dyslexia IF you are willing to hire an external tutor to come to the school and tutor at school. For us, this was the driving reason.

My kid transfered back to a public HS. They really struggled with advanced math in year 1 as they were not used to homework or the massive amount of work expected.

FF to end of semester 1: 2 not As and the rest As. I truly couldn't believe it. I always had this feeling of a BS vibe when TSS told me that things were student led and done at their own speed to enhance their love of learning.

Turned out to be true for my kid.

This must be said, though. In our child's last year there, about 1/3 of the teachers left and one left with no notice (or maybe 2weeks). The administrator can be a challenge to work with for some parents. What was worse is that the remaining teachers filled in the gaps so I assume they were overworked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate on the colleges? I know that most colleagues have minimum requirements (e.g., 4 years English, 3 math, etc.), but it looks like there is only time during the day for four classes plus a "project" day vs. five core subjects (English, math, history, science, language). Am curious as to whether the approach in any way would take a cluster of colleges off the table? As I have no clue what my kid will like, I'd hate to put him in a position where he only could apply to say, small liberal arts schools, or schools that don't have minimum requirements, etc.

All of the required subjects are covered in the blended Experience classes plus other classes and electives. No colleges are "off the table" at all. Last year, seniors were accepted at most of the main universities in Virginia plus Columbia, Bryn Mawr, U. Delaware, Connecticut College, Haverford, SUNY, Wesleyan, Fordham, etc.

Just contact the Admissions officer to discuss how the curriculum and transcript lead to these acceptances.

I think only 8 or 9 graduated so question this list. I think this pster is listing all of the schools that kids have gotten into ever.

There were 11 seniors last year. All those acceptances come from that class. It was the largest senior class the school ever had, some of whom had been there since the school opened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate on the colleges? I know that most colleagues have minimum requirements (e.g., 4 years English, 3 math, etc.), but it looks like there is only time during the day for four classes plus a "project" day vs. five core subjects (English, math, history, science, language). Am curious as to whether the approach in any way would take a cluster of colleges off the table? As I have no clue what my kid will like, I'd hate to put him in a position where he only could apply to say, small liberal arts schools, or schools that don't have minimum requirements, etc.

All of the required subjects are covered in the blended Experience classes plus other classes and electives. No colleges are "off the table" at all. Last year, seniors were accepted at most of the main universities in Virginia plus Columbia, Bryn Mawr, U. Delaware, Connecticut College, Haverford, SUNY, Wesleyan, Fordham, etc.

Just contact the Admissions officer to discuss how the curriculum and transcript lead to these acceptances.

I think only 8 or 9 graduated so question this list. I think this pster is listing all of the schools that kids have gotten into ever.

There were 11 seniors last year. All those acceptances come from that class. It was the largest senior class the school ever had, some of whom had been there since the school opened.

Those are acceptances or matriculations?

A few top kids may have received multiple acceptances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate on the colleges? I know that most colleagues have minimum requirements (e.g., 4 years English, 3 math, etc.), but it looks like there is only time during the day for four classes plus a "project" day vs. five core subjects (English, math, history, science, language). Am curious as to whether the approach in any way would take a cluster of colleges off the table? As I have no clue what my kid will like, I'd hate to put him in a position where he only could apply to say, small liberal arts schools, or schools that don't have minimum requirements, etc.

All of the required subjects are covered in the blended Experience classes plus other classes and electives. No colleges are "off the table" at all. Last year, seniors were accepted at most of the main universities in Virginia plus Columbia, Bryn Mawr, U. Delaware, Connecticut College, Haverford, SUNY, Wesleyan, Fordham, etc.

Just contact the Admissions officer to discuss how the curriculum and transcript lead to these acceptances.

I think only 8 or 9 graduated so question this list. I think this pster is listing all of the schools that kids have gotten into ever.

There were 11 seniors last year. All those acceptances come from that class. It was the largest senior class the school ever had, some of whom had been there since the school opened.

Those are acceptances or matriculations?

A few top kids may have received multiple acceptances.

Acceptances is the word in the text. Everyone who applied is going to college now, most at their first choice.

With a diverse student body in terms of interests and needs, their target schools were not the usual DCUM, "Oh my God, did they get into the top top top top schools?"

Sycamore is not about that on many levels. A couple of very strong students had an impressive array of choices for matriculation. Pretty sure everyone had multiple acceptances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a child in TSS for middle school. They have "a diagnosis or two" and none of them is autism but they also have a high IQ. For the kids with autism, it seems like the smart ones who, more or less, want to be left alone and get some 1:1 instruction when needed, do well there.

It's a great school for ADHD in that they teach organization as a core feature of the school.

It's a great school for who are acyncroynous like behind in English but letter grades ahead in math.

It's a great school for dyslexia IF you are willing to hire an external tutor to come to the school and tutor at school. For us, this was the driving reason.

My kid transfered back to a public HS. They really struggled with advanced math in year 1 as they were not used to homework or the massive amount of work expected.

FF to end of semester 1: 2 not As and the rest As. I truly couldn't believe it. I always had this feeling of a BS vibe when TSS told me that things were student led and done at their own speed to enhance their love of learning.

Turned out to be true for my kid.

This must be said, though. In our child's last year there, about 1/3 of the teachers left and one left with no notice (or maybe 2weeks). The administrator can be a challenge to work with for some parents. What was worse is that the remaining teachers filled in the gaps so I assume they were overworked.

We had a child at Sycamore a couple of years ago and the head of school is absolutely very difficult to work with. She needs to get out of her own way. They have lost many good teachers over the years and I think the big reason is that she is so abrasive and self-centered.

[Anonymous]

Just a quick add- after being at publics and other privates in our family's experience Linder has been the most kind, inclusive, understanding, accepting group of peers, teachers, parents, and administrators that we have encountered.