Private Middle Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beware the McLean School. It is supposed to be the perfect school for the kind of child you describe (other than the sports angle. HS basketball is great, not so sure about LAX, but a sports Mecca it is not. From an academic standpoint,the HS is considered the jewel in the crown of the three divisions there and I do know that the vast majority of HS families there have generally been happy with the HS and the college counseling and placement. I will say up front that the vast majority are placed with colleges that are especially capable of accommodating learning issues, so go into the HS with your eyes wide open that your DS will not likely be heading toward one of the big-name schools because that is not where McLean has its strongest relationships. To the credit of the college counseling and HS staff, the families and kids who graduate are generally very happy with their results, just be comfortable with what your expectations are for your child. Don't go in expecting to be walking out on your way to Princeton. The middle school, however, is a rough spot to say the least and while you are only looking at one year, go in after doing your homework on the reality of that particular division. It is widely known, even within the school community itself, to be the vastly weakest link in the school. They claim to do everything you might expect, differentiation, accommodation, assist with organization. They are generally incapable. I cannot speak personally about grade 8, and I encourage you to look very, very carefully at that specific grade. Perhaps grade 8 is completely different than 5, 6 and 7. But in those lower MS grades, they are horrible. Their academic standards are a joke and in the broader academic community it is well known that McLean's academics are sub-par. McLean defenders will leap to say that I am a basher but I am not. The McLean of a time past had a very different reputation than what is there now and it used to be a well-respected school for students like your DS. Vast numbers of middle school families are wholly dissatisfied with the low academics, incompetent administrators, range of very weak teachers with some good ones interspersed. There is a lot of change coming in, new head of school, new head of middle school, new head of admissions, and hopefully that turns this mess around. But go in very carefully and look beyond the surface sales of the place into the reality before you make your decision.

I have a 7th grader and we've been very happy with the school, including middle school. You are certainly entitled to your opinion but when I read words like "horrible" and "mess" I wonder if its even the same school my DS attends.

[Anonymous]

OP, please be on notice of a notorious McLean basher. For some reason they harbor some real bitterness for the school. Obviously it did not work out for their child and, like every school, is not for every child. I encourage you to go visit, talk the admissions officials, the athletic director, faculty, parents, ask a lot of frank questions and get real, first hand information. In the end, you will be informed and whatever choice you make, it will be the best decision for your DS. But, please know the majority of the families at McLean are very pleased or they would not be spending that kind of money for nothing. All the best!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beware the McLean School. It is supposed to be the perfect school for the kind of child you describe (other than the sports angle. HS basketball is great, not so sure about LAX, but a sports Mecca it is not. From an academic standpoint,the HS is considered the jewel in the crown of the three divisions there and I do know that the vast majority of HS families there have generally been happy with the HS and the college counseling and placement. I will say up front that the vast majority are placed with colleges that are especially capable of accommodating learning issues, so go into the HS with your eyes wide open that your DS will not likely be heading toward one of the big-name schools because that is not where McLean has its strongest relationships. To the credit of the college counseling and HS staff, the families and kids who graduate are generally very happy with their results, just be comfortable with what your expectations are for your child. Don't go in expecting to be walking out on your way to Princeton. The middle school, however, is a rough spot to say the least and while you are only looking at one year, go in after doing your homework on the reality of that particular division. It is widely known, even within the school community itself, to be the vastly weakest link in the school. They claim to do everything you might expect, differentiation, accommodation, assist with organization. They are generally incapable. I cannot speak personally about grade 8, and I encourage you to look very, very carefully at that specific grade. Perhaps grade 8 is completely different than 5, 6 and 7. But in those lower MS grades, they are horrible. Their academic standards are a joke and in the broader academic community it is well known that McLean's academics are sub-par. McLean defenders will leap to say that I am a basher but I am not. The McLean of a time past had a very different reputation than what is there now and it used to be a well-respected school for students like your DS. Vast numbers of middle school families are wholly dissatisfied with the low academics, incompetent administrators, range of very weak teachers with some good ones interspersed. There is a lot of change coming in, new head of school, new head of middle school, new head of admissions, and hopefully that turns this mess around. But go in very carefully and look beyond the surface sales of the place into the reality before you make your decision.

I have a 7th grader and we've been very happy with the school, including middle school. You are certainly entitled to your opinion but when I read words like "horrible" and "mess" I wonder if its even the same school my DS attends.

Hey, McLean basher, you spend a lot of negative energy posting about McLean. And, from a search of McLean School on the SN and private school forums, it is clear you are in the minority. Please move past your bitterness or get some professional help. Your postings are becoming like a manifesto and lack credibility because there are so clearly slanted to one side with no substantive evidence to support all the negative feedback.

[Anonymous]

I am another former Mclean person who did not have a great academic experience with the MS. It became clear when we switched to another school that my DC was academically behind in Math and English. The shcool may work for lots of families but it does have shortcomings in the level of academics that they offer which is what the poster was trying to express. If you have a child who has some learning issues but also wants challenging work, that is not what you will get at Mclean.

As far as athletics it is hit and miss in Middle School. This year, there was not 5th/6th grade Lacrosse team because there were not enough kids. The 7th and 8th grade had too many kids.


The Mclean school parents need to stop being so defensive. More than a few families have been unhappy with the school. That is why admissions are so down in the last few years. And before people start saying it is the economy, yes that may be the case for a few people but many others have left for other privates.

[Anonymous]

11:01 thank you.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and btw 10:39, speaking of credibility, I hope you understand that your angry and defensive display that fails to address what does actually work for your particular student while personally attacking a poster who methodicaly presented their personal perspective makes a very persuasive argument in favor of McLean that should sway any objective reader considering this thread. Fine job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am another former Mclean person who did not have a great academic experience with the MS. It became clear when we switched to another school that my DC was academically behind in Math and English. The shcool may work for lots of families but it does have shortcomings in the level of academics that they offer which is what the poster was trying to express. If you have a child who has some learning issues but also wants challenging work, that is not what you will get at Mclean.

As far as athletics it is hit and miss in Middle School. This year, there was not 5th/6th grade Lacrosse team because there were not enough kids. The 7th and 8th grade had too many kids.


The Mclean school parents need to stop being so defensive. More than a few families have been unhappy with the school. That is why admissions are so down in the last few years. And before people start saying it is the economy, yes that may be the case for a few people but many others have left for other privates.

Which other privates?

[Anonymous]

Bullis, St Andrews, Landon

Others have moved in to Lab because they had more serious learning issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am another former Mclean person who did not have a great academic experience with the MS. It became clear when we switched to another school that my DC was academically behind in Math and English. The shcool may work for lots of families but it does have shortcomings in the level of academics that they offer which is what the poster was trying to express. If you have a child who has some learning issues but also wants challenging work, that is not what you will get at Mclean.

As far as athletics it is hit and miss in Middle School. This year, there was not 5th/6th grade Lacrosse team because there were not enough kids. The 7th and 8th grade had too many kids.


The Mclean school parents need to stop being so defensive. More than a few families have been unhappy with the school. That is why admissions are so down in the last few years. And before people start saying it is the economy, yes that may be the case for a few people but many others have left for other privates.

I'm the parent of a 7th grader who posted and I don't think its defensive to react to words like "horrible" and "mess." I have always said the school is not for everyone. Its very small, for example, which is one reason the athletics can suffer. But what I see over and over again is people blaming the school when it just wasn't the right fit. For those of us whose kids do belong there, its been wonderful. But if you aren't happy with it, that just means that your DC would benefit from being somewhere else, not that the school is "horrible."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and btw 10:39, speaking of credibility, I hope you understand that your angry and defensive display that fails to address what does actually work for your particular student while personally attacking a poster who methodicaly presented their personal perspective makes a very persuasive argument in favor of McLean that should sway any objective reader considering this thread. Fine job.

Actually, I have a really good job that pays for two kids to go to McLean or any other school. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I didn't say the school was horrible. I said grades 5, 6 and 7 of the middle school were horrible. I stand by that and I am not alone. I also said that the high school is the jewel in the crown and that most of the high school families I have heard of are happy with that division. The abusive poster declared that I should seek professional help as a result of my posting. I would call that pretty defensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and btw 10:39, speaking of credibility, I hope you understand that your angry and defensive display that fails to address what does actually work for your particular student while personally attacking a poster who methodicaly presented their personal perspective makes a very persuasive argument in favor of McLean that should sway any objective reader considering this thread. Fine job.

Actually, I have a really good job that pays for two kids to go to McLean or any other school. Thank you.

I think you need to read better. The person said nothing about you finding a job. They were being facetious in how you attacked the poster.

[Anonymous]

I think you are all pretty silly and need to give it a rap. I'm off to a Girl Scout event. Have a good one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - what is "written expression disorder". That's a new one for me. One of my kids has Aspergers and has difficulty composing essays, so I suppose she has "written expression disorder". But I would like to know more.

It's dysgraphia: http://www.ldonline.org/article/12770/

Not necessarily. Reading the definition in this link, I can see that technically there may be an overlap. Most professionals I have talked to (granted, on this subject only a few) usually use the term disgraphia to refer to the many physical limitations on this list. My DC has diagnosed disgraphia, however, and is a strong writer -- except that you would never know it if you tried to read DCs handwriting. TG for laptops.

[Anonymous]

For a social kid with ADHD, slow executive functioning speed, written expression disorder, very disorganized, visual learner, I would go with Lab as a first choice (if you can get in--slots, especially the older kids get, are at a premium.) They have a shuttle, basketball, and lacrosse.

First and foremost you'll still need to make sure he is in a environment where he can learn. For the LDs you mention Siena, Kingsbury, Chelsea, Ivymount might also make the list.

I would still visit St. Andrews, Bullis, Flint Hill, and yes, McLean. )I have no dog in this fight.) I've know parents happy with McLean and unhappy with it, but the same for St. A's, and Bullis.

(Unless your kid is a mega-star athlete, I wouldn't bother with Landon, and even then…)