Can we review Middle Schools.....again. Sorry!

[Anonymous]

did you look at CCPCS as well? They usually have shorter waitlist at the middle school level and it might work better for next year for location.

[Anonymous]

yes crazy. the iep parents i know at deal are happy. more than that, the kids are happy!

[Anonymous]

We did look at CCPCS and did the lottery just haven't heard anything which I think means we are a no go. We didn't even look at Latin due to his academics. I do like hearing that the IEP kids at Deal are happy.

I am going to take him over for a tour and see what he thinks. My problem may be more with ME than with him. He seems all calm and relax while I feel completely uptight!

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at EL Haynes? Aren't they expanding all the way through HS?

[Anonymous]

If you are in-bounds for Deal, go to 2R and try it. You can always switch back to Deal at anytime. If you are OOB for Deal then you'd lose your spot...

I don't think you are crazy. I also have a kid on an IEP who struggles with organization. A middle school with 1000 kids will be very difficult for your child to manage, plus the IB expectations are high. There will be lots of homework, projects and teachers will have at least 100 other kids to worry about. I think your concerns about Deal are real. I'm not saying it's not a good school or that other parents wouldn't give their right arm to have their kid attend, I'm just saying that it's not right for every child.

Have your kid do a shadow day at 2R-- walk the NY metro block yourself-- ask the people you meet there what the carpooling/walking options are for middle schoolers. There might be a group of kids that meet on the platform and walk together. Or maybe adults take turns walking them over. Or there's a carpool from your neighborhood.

Good luck! And FWIW, we bagged on larger middle schools for our 6th grader and found something small and cozy.

[Anonymous]

Middle school with a kid with organization issues is going to be hard anywhere. If you haven't already, you might want to meet w/ the special ed coordinator at both schools and even ask if they can put you in touch w/ a current family with a kid who may have similar issues. This might give you a better idea.

Although Deal is large, it is stable and has dedicated a lot of resources to the special ed component, pairing special ed teachers with most of the teams to facilitate maximum inclusion, which provides support to the whole group of kids in the classroom. I had a child who went to Deal and do know some people with children with IEPs at Deal and overall they have been pleased.

I don't know 2R and there are certainly advantages to a smaller environment for many kids, but smaller may also mean they have less dedicated support for kids with learning differences.

[Anonymous]

We have the same situation, but Deal 6th grade Spec Ed coordinator has made me feel reassured. You could do as someone suggested: try the one and switch back to deal if it doesn't work out.