Best VA private schools for kids with ADHD and learning disabilities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP Just wanted to point out this is an old reactivated thread but I agree with sharonda1998. For ADHD, I would recommend Commonwealth Academy. We have been there four years.

What about significant ADHD, where your child needs a lot of individualized attention?

Call the director of admissions at C/A, Josh Gwilliam, and explain the situation and your child to him. He will either tell you to bring your child in and talk or will help guide you to a school more suitale for your child if C/A is not a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Oakwood school has been wonderful for my dyslexic son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is based on what we were told by a clinician and a few parents we know with kids at the various schools, but I may not be remembering correctly.

All schools mentioned below have bright children with learning issues, but the schools vary in terms of the amount of support and attention they can provide and degree of training staff must have to work with learning issues. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong....



Accomodates very mild learning disabilities and/or mild attention issues &offer inclusive program with those who do not have learning disabilities, but limitations in terms of what special education services can be provided:

St. Andrews in Md.
Flint Hill School in Va.
McLean School of Maryland

Can accomodate mild to moderate learning issues and attention issues and can provide specialized services.:

Lab School of Washington
Kingsbury School in DC or MD-don't recall
(I think I was told Kingsbury has a gifted and learning disabled program)

Small class sizes. Can accomodate moderate learning issues (bright kids who need extra support), mild to moderate attention issues, mild to moderate pragmatic needs and some sensory issues (as long as there is not a behavior issue) with small classes and lots of good and highly trained support staff:

Katherine Thomas School in MD
Maddux School in MD
Deiner School in MD
Oakwood School in Va
Newton School in Va.

Smallest class sizes and can accomodate moderate learning issues, etc as well as attention issues and sensory issues with extra small class sizes and highly trained teachers and support staff. This is for kids with lots of potential who need an extra boost and and a flexible and creative approach at the present time in order to show their true skills. All kids could benefit from this approach of course.:

Shrier or is it Shire in Va (just opened a year or two ago)
Ivy Mount School in MD

Please anyone feel free to correct me if I have made a mistake or have generalized too much.

I disagree that Flint Hill accepts students with certain special needs. Flint Hill has a lot of students who are average on a cognitive level, and they accept students with learning disabilities, but they do not want children with ASD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is based on what we were told by a clinician and a few parents we know with kids at the various schools, but I may not be remembering correctly.

All schools mentioned below have bright children with learning issues, but the schools vary in terms of the amount of support and attention they can provide and degree of training staff must have to work with learning issues. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong....



Accomodates very mild learning disabilities and/or mild attention issues &offer inclusive program with those who do not have learning disabilities, but limitations in terms of what special education services can be provided:

St. Andrews in Md.
Flint Hill School in Va.
McLean School of Maryland

Can accomodate mild to moderate learning issues and attention issues and can provide specialized services.:

Lab School of Washington
Kingsbury School in DC or MD-don't recall
(I think I was told Kingsbury has a gifted and learning disabled program)

Small class sizes. Can accomodate moderate learning issues (bright kids who need extra support), mild to moderate attention issues, mild to moderate pragmatic needs and some sensory issues (as long as there is not a behavior issue) with small classes and lots of good and highly trained support staff:

Katherine Thomas School in MD
Maddux School in MD
Deiner School in MD
Oakwood School in Va
Newton School in Va.

Smallest class sizes and can accomodate moderate learning issues, etc as well as attention issues and sensory issues with extra small class sizes and highly trained teachers and support staff. This is for kids with lots of potential who need an extra boost and and a flexible and creative approach at the present time in order to show their true skills. All kids could benefit from this approach of course.:

Shrier or is it Shire in Va (just opened a year or two ago)
Ivy Mount School in MD

Please anyone feel free to correct me if I have made a mistake or have generalized too much.

I disagree that Flint Hill accepts students with certain special needs. Flint Hill has a lot of students who are average on a cognitive level, and they accept students with learning disabilities, but they do not want children with ASD.

Our neuropsych recommended Field for DS with ASD/ADHD for middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is based on what we were told by a clinician and a few parents we know with kids at the various schools, but I may not be remembering correctly.

All schools mentioned below have bright children with learning issues, but the schools vary in terms of the amount of support and attention they can provide and degree of training staff must have to work with learning issues. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong....



Accomodates very mild learning disabilities and/or mild attention issues &offer inclusive program with those who do not have learning disabilities, but limitations in terms of what special education services can be provided:

St. Andrews in Md.
Flint Hill School in Va.
McLean School of Maryland

Can accomodate mild to moderate learning issues and attention issues and can provide specialized services.:

Lab School of Washington
Kingsbury School in DC or MD-don't recall
(I think I was told Kingsbury has a gifted and learning disabled program)

Small class sizes. Can accomodate moderate learning issues (bright kids who need extra support), mild to moderate attention issues, mild to moderate pragmatic needs and some sensory issues (as long as there is not a behavior issue) with small classes and lots of good and highly trained support staff:

Katherine Thomas School in MD
Maddux School in MD
Deiner School in MD
Oakwood School in Va
Newton School in Va.

Smallest class sizes and can accomodate moderate learning issues, etc as well as attention issues and sensory issues with extra small class sizes and highly trained teachers and support staff. This is for kids with lots of potential who need an extra boost and and a flexible and creative approach at the present time in order to show their true skills. All kids could benefit from this approach of course.:

Shrier or is it Shire in Va (just opened a year or two ago)
Ivy Mount School in MD

Please anyone feel free to correct me if I have made a mistake or have generalized too much.

I disagree that Flint Hill accepts students with certain special needs. Flint Hill has a lot of students who are average on a cognitive level, and they accept students with learning disabilities, but they do not want children with ASD.

Our neuropsych recommended Field for DS with ASD/ADHD for middle school.

Field is such an awesome school. Wish it weren't so pricey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is based on what we were told by a clinician and a few parents we know with kids at the various schools, but I may not be remembering correctly.

All schools mentioned below have bright children with learning issues, but the schools vary in terms of the amount of support and attention they can provide and degree of training staff must have to work with learning issues. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong....



Accomodates very mild learning disabilities and/or mild attention issues &offer inclusive program with those who do not have learning disabilities, but limitations in terms of what special education services can be provided:

St. Andrews in Md.
Flint Hill School in Va.
McLean School of Maryland

Can accomodate mild to moderate learning issues and attention issues and can provide specialized services.:

Lab School of Washington
Kingsbury School in DC or MD-don't recall
(I think I was told Kingsbury has a gifted and learning disabled program)

Small class sizes. Can accomodate moderate learning issues (bright kids who need extra support), mild to moderate attention issues, mild to moderate pragmatic needs and some sensory issues (as long as there is not a behavior issue) with small classes and lots of good and highly trained support staff:

Katherine Thomas School in MD
Maddux School in MD
Deiner School in MD
Oakwood School in Va
Newton School in Va.

Smallest class sizes and can accomodate moderate learning issues, etc as well as attention issues and sensory issues with extra small class sizes and highly trained teachers and support staff. This is for kids with lots of potential who need an extra boost and and a flexible and creative approach at the present time in order to show their true skills. All kids could benefit from this approach of course.:

Shrier or is it Shire in Va (just opened a year or two ago)
Ivy Mount School in MD

Please anyone feel free to correct me if I have made a mistake or have generalized too much.

I disagree that Flint Hill accepts students with certain special needs. Flint Hill has a lot of students who are average on a cognitive level, and they accept students with learning disabilities, but they do not want children with ASD.

Our neuropsych recommended Field for DS with ASD/ADHD for middle school.

Field is such an awesome school. Wish it weren't so pricey.

That's good to hear. We'll be checking it out and we are fortunate that cost isn't an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP Just wanted to point out this is an old reactivated thread but I agree with sharonda1998. For ADHD, I would recommend Commonwealth Academy. We have been there four years.

What about significant ADHD, where your child needs a lot of individualized attention?

What grade level are you looking for and where are you located? The best thing for you to do is visit lots of schools (I got recommendations from our neuropsych but found that he hadn't visited certain schools in years). Also, I knew my dc best and visiting helped me determine "fit." If I were you, I would visit Diener in Potomac and Newton in VA if you have a younger child. If you have a child in K-3, you might get a lot of individual attention at McLean as the class sizes used to be very small in the lower grades. Not sure if they have increased under the new head. Once you start visiting the schools and describing your child (and showing them reports), they will either say that it looks like your child fits the profile and should apply or they may recommend that you visit a different school (as the Commonwealth parent who recommended that you call their director of admissions mentioned). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP Just wanted to point out this is an old reactivated thread but I agree with sharonda1998. For ADHD, I would recommend Commonwealth Academy. We have been there four years.

What about significant ADHD, where your child needs a lot of individualized attention?

What grade level are you looking for and where are you located? The best thing for you to do is visit lots of schools (I got recommendations from our neuropsych but found that he hadn't visited certain schools in years). Also, I knew my dc best and visiting helped me determine "fit." If I were you, I would visit Diener in Potomac and Newton in VA if you have a younger child. If you have a child in K-3, you might get a lot of individual attention at McLean as the class sizes used to be very small in the lower grades. Not sure if they have increased under the new head. Once you start visiting the schools and describing your child (and showing them reports), they will either say that it looks like your child fits the profile and should apply or they may recommend that you visit a different school (as the Commonwealth parent who recommended that you call their director of admissions mentioned). Good luck!

Class sizes in McLean's lower school range from 8-11, each with 2 teachers. Writing, math, and reading are taught in ability-based groups of 4.

[Anonymous]

Most of the privates can accommodate minor issues, such as anxiety, mild ADHD that doesn't include bad behavior issues, and mild learning disabilities that can be helped with superior technology, flexible teachers, small class sizes and some extra help in reading or math. Privates are able to be flexible with some things but not others. Our child is at a well regarded mainstream private. He was close to being asked to leave as we figured out what was wrong due to behavior, but now that we finally have him on medication (which we did not inform the school about), they say our child is a model student and they keep recommending other students see our therapist (who isn't responsible for the medication part). We've seen a ton of private school kids in the waiting room. Of course no one talks about it. It can be very isolating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the privates can accommodate minor issues, such as anxiety, mild ADHD that doesn't include bad behavior issues, and mild learning disabilities that can be helped with superior technology, flexible teachers, small class sizes and some extra help in reading or math. Privates are able to be flexible with some things but not others. Our child is at a well regarded mainstream private. He was close to being asked to leave as we figured out what was wrong due to behavior, but now that we finally have him on medication (which we did not inform the school about), they say our child is a model student and they keep recommending other students see our therapist (who isn't responsible for the medication part). We've seen a ton of private school kids in the waiting room. Of course no one talks about it. It can be very isolating.

I have met kids from just about every private school in the area including the Big 3 and Holton in waiting rooms for OT and/or social skills class. I agree with the person who posts that every private school in the area has kids with mild ADHD or ASD.

[Anonymous]

I think the real question is will mainstream privates accept kids with issues or are they only willing to work with issues that come to light after acceptance? They may be able to handle the kids they have, but are they willing to accept additional potential problems versus a more typical and easy child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the real question is will mainstream privates accept kids with issues or are they only willing to work with issues that come to light after acceptance? They may be able to handle the kids they have, but are they willing to accept additional potential problems versus a more typical and easy child?

That is an excellent question. Guess we will find out when applying for middle school. We plan to reveal all including submitting the neuropsych eval instead of just the Wisc or SSAT. The school should be able to make an informed decision on whether they can support the child. If they can't better to not go there at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the real question is will mainstream privates accept kids with issues or are they only willing to work with issues that come to light after acceptance? They may be able to handle the kids they have, but are they willing to accept additional potential problems versus a more typical and easy child?

That is an excellent question. Guess we will find out when applying for middle school. We plan to reveal all including submitting the neuropsych eval instead of just the Wisc or SSAT. The school should be able to make an informed decision on whether they can support the child. If they can't better to not go there at all.

I think that's a great attitude to have! Really! Same goes for when applying to college. We disclosed all and DC still got in on EA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the real question is will mainstream privates accept kids with issues or are they only willing to work with issues that come to light after acceptance? They may be able to handle the kids they have, but are they willing to accept additional potential problems versus a more typical and easy child?

That is an excellent question. Guess we will find out when applying for middle school. We plan to reveal all including submitting the neuropsych eval instead of just the Wisc or SSAT. The school should be able to make an informed decision on whether they can support the child. If they can't better to not go there at all.

I think that's a great attitude to have! Really! Same goes for when applying to college. We disclosed all and DC still got in on EA.

We had lunch this week with the director of development at the Ivy DH attended. Yes, we disclose and plan to disclose all to colleges

Apparently Early Decision is always the way to go...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the real question is will mainstream privates accept kids with issues or are they only willing to work with issues that come to light after acceptance? They may be able to handle the kids they have, but are they willing to accept additional potential problems versus a more typical and easy child?

That is an excellent question. Guess we will find out when applying for middle school. We plan to reveal all including submitting the neuropsych eval instead of just the Wisc or SSAT. The school should be able to make an informed decision on whether they can support the child. If they can't better to not go there at all.

I think that's a great attitude to have! Really! Same goes for when applying to college. We disclosed all and DC still got in on EA.

We had lunch this week with the director of development at the Ivy DH attended. Yes, we disclose and plan to disclose all to colleges

Apparently Early Decision is always the way to go...

EA or ED?