Do you have an ADHD child at [Potomac, Burke, Field, Madeira, SSSAS]? How's it going?

[Anonymous]

I would stay away from St. Andrews. They say all the right things with their philosophy byt in reality do not teach to the unique styles of each child and tend to administratively label the child a problem. Socially they do not do much to prevent or stop bullying either. We are still there but thinking of making a change and a lot of kids have left.

[Anonymous]

Burke has been great for my DS with ADHD. He gets tons of support from his advisor, the learning specialist and his teachers. They (along with us, his parents) are really a team helping my son succeed.

[Anonymous]

The problem with the public schools is that if an ADHD kid can't handle the extra writing and workload then they simply get pushed down to the easier general ed courses. An ADHD kid may have the understanding and IQ to handle the material but if they can't produce the same quantity they don't get an opportunity to work at an appropriate academic level.

Since meds are not 24/7 and most kids have dosages that get them through the class day, homework can be a nightmare. It not only takes them longer but they are coming off the medication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, where did you end up?

PP here. We found the perfect FCPS for DS, but will likely at some point go back to private. At that point, we will consider GDS, Field, and maybe one other school.

I will say this about having and ADHD child at a public school v. a private school -- the school is much better able to handle him and all his issues. The teachers and staff seem to be better prepared and with stronger leadership skills than his previous teachers. Not everything is perfect, but overall, he's just another kid with ADHD and not "problem" that they have to deal with because he is slightly different from the rest of the pack.

+1000 For ADHD kids, you can't beat public.

In particular, Potomac goes out of their way NOT to admit these types of students. They want a very cookie cutter kid who is smart and well behaved with no issues-the usual private M.O.

[Anonymous]

Would recommend you look at McLean.

My DS was just admitted and will be entering as a 9th grader in the fall with a profile much like your DD's -- good grades, great kid, inattentive type ADHD. School has great academics, a rich curriculum, and about a 50-50 percent mix of kids with/without mild learning disabilities.
He's been holding his own in MCPS, but with college looming, McLean's approach to focus on learning strategies geared toward his needs will do him good. Their individualized approach however, can and does benefit kids without any mild LDs, but who are there for the great content.

The entire thrust of the school is working with kids of different learning styles. They have a new school head coming over from Sidwell who, from what I can tell, wants to grow the school a bit. I am really excited for DS for the coming school year.

If you are up to starting your search a bit early, there are still open houses at Mclean I think that you can go to this spring. Good luck with your search!

[Anonymous]

11:19 again.
That would be McLean School of Maryland that I was referring to.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the positive things that have been written about Field. Very supportive, lovely school.

[Anonymous]

There are many kids at St. Andrew's with ADD who do extremely well, so I would not view the experience of the PP as typical. The descriptioni of OPs child academically, socially and behaviorally sounds like a good number of high schoolers there who have done very well. ADD presents very differently for different kids and I think all schools deal with it well or not so well within a particular range on which they focus. While I am sure at every school someone has had a bad experience, in general we have found St. Andrew's to be extremely on top of things socially. Our child was bullied at his previous private lower school, but has happily thrived at St. Andrew's middle and upper school. The one time a child engaged in unwelcome teasing 3 years ago, another child and faculty quickly intervened and put an end to it in a very effective manner. In general, we have found the administation highly responsive, and the kids themselves very aware and supportive of each other.

I think McLean, Burke, Field and St. Andrew's are all places where an ADD child can fit in depending on other factors. The feel of each school is very different. When we visited schools, our son had suprisingly strong reasons for liking some more than others that actually were reasonable -- some we had anticipated and some we did not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11:19 again.
That would be McLean School of Maryland that I was referring to.

I second McLean as a school to consider. My DS, who is currently in a high performing DCPS, will be attending McLean in tha Fall as a 5th grader. I am excited for him and know he will get the support he needs to thrive. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I have to disagree with the poster who says that SSSAS is not a good fit for kids with ADD. My daughter was just recently diagnosed, she is in her 2nd year there. The counselors and teachers have been outstanding, first providing reports and feedback on our concern with her behavior before the diagnosis and now ever since she has been on Focalin. Academically she is doing wonderfully- the community allows her to succeed and pushes her forward, and never has made her diagnosis an issue. I am confident she will continue to do well there. But in all things dealing with our children, it is certainly a matter of opinion on how you feel your particular school is dealing with your children. You need to be where you feel most comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would stay away from St. Andrews. They say all the right things with their philosophy byt in reality do not teach to the unique styles of each child and tend to administratively label the child a problem. Socially they do not do much to prevent or stop bullying either. We are still there but thinking of making a change and a lot of kids have left.

+1

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know anything about the new learning cernter at Bullis for students who may need additional support or accommodations? Is it effective?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know anything about the new learning cernter at Bullis for students who may need additional support or accommodations? Is it effective?

I am interested in hearing about Bullis' new learning center also. Any knowledgeable feedbac would be much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

http://www.bullis.org/academics/academic-center/index.aspx

here is information from the website.

[Anonymous]

I am capable of going to the website. I was hoping to hear from parents of Bullis students who have utilized the center and if they have found it helpful. Thanks.