Recommendations for an inclusive, typical private school for special needs child

[Anonymous]

We are looking for small class sizes, with 5:1 or 6:1 ratio. Social-emotional skills as part of the curriculum and a learning specialist on staff.

[Anonymous]

We also would like a school where the staff at least has an understanding of sensory needs/strategies and has experience with inclusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks so much for the responses. We are currently at Maddux, but are looking for a mainstream private school for kindergarten.

Oneness and Primary Day are mainstream. You could also try McLean.

[Anonymous]

^Doubtful you are going to find those things at any mainstream private school. Your best bet is a special needs school. You will not be able to find all of those things at a public school with IEP and certainly not at a mainstream private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking for small class sizes, with 5:1 or 6:1 ratio. Social-emotional skills as part of the curriculum and a learning specialist on staff.

Is this the OP? If you are looking for this ratio in addition to the subsequent post of "staff at least has an understanding of sensory needs/strategies and has experience with inclusion..." AND being mainstream--you are dreaming.

If your kid has all these needs, find an SN school for your kid or stay at Maddux. Being mainstreamed isn't the end all be all.

[Anonymous]

Only way to do this in mainstream private is with a shadow -- probably at your expense. It Can be done, but very expensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only way to do this in mainstream private is with a shadow -- probably at your expense. It Can be done, but very expensive

Ha! You have to get accepted first. Which will not happen. Terrible fit.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much to the people who responded with recommendations. Much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only way to do this in mainstream private is with a shadow -- probably at your expense. It Can be done, but very expensive

No. Shadows were created for ADA reasons like providing a wheelchair ramp and not based on ANY educational theory. We should have schools fit the child, not try to fit a child to schools that don't meet their educational needs.

[Anonymous]

This is the poster who recommended the River School and St Pat's. OP, these two schools were recommended by my child's neuropsych who felt that all DS needed were small class size in a nurturing environment. Our developmental pediatrician felt DS would be better served at a SN school like Auburn. We split the difference and went public with IEP and very glad we did. We basically got all you listed above including a ratio of 17:3 for K in an inclusive mainstream environment at a public charter language immersion school.

I can tell you that we would not be as happy at either of the mainstream private schools I recommended. My DS really needs the supports and services in his IEP to thrive. Looking at your list, I doubt any mainstream private school will meet your child's needs. Doesn't Maddux have recommendations for schools that can work for your DC?

[Anonymous]

Auburn School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paul vi

For Kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Can I ask you why you are leaving maddux?

[Anonymous]

Commonwealth doesn’t start until 3rd grade.

River is very active and might overwhelm a child with anxiety.

St. Pat’s has a traditional, challenging language based curriculum.

Paul VI is a high school.

The small class size and social emotional skills curriculum rule out most traditional privates unless you find a religious school with the Responsive Classroom curriculum.

Oneness and McLean are two possible options but very different schools.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Why leave Maddux?