Possible Changes at the Mclean School of MD

[Anonymous]

When you say too much homework, what do you mean? I have a child that started in the MS school and I thought he had more homework in the public school or maybe he is able to handle it better now that he is at McLean so it does not seem like it. It would be helpful if you were more specific otherwise it just seems like your child could not handle homework at McLean or anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a loaded question and I think it depends on what you mean by a lot of work. Let me give you an example. My son is in the 5th grade at McLean and was at best a "C" student in Math at his prior school. He had a hard time with the homework and always needed help. At McLean they have taught him how to manage the work and advocate for himself if he does not grasp a concept right away. He is now a solid "A" student in Math. The other night he had a Math problems to do. I had only to ask him once when he was going to do it. As I was about to ask him, he was reaching for his homework binder. He took it in the kitchen and worked quietly for an hour. A couple of times I checked on him to ask how things were going to which he replied "Fine" and if he needed helped to which he responded "No". It took him an hour but he finished all the problems. This would have never happened at his old school. Somehow he has made a complete transformation at McLean and can handle the work. The Math problems weren't easy, to me, but he took his time and got it done. The Math teacher has shown me his quizzes and tests where he has gotten "A"s and she confirm DS knows what he is doing. All I have to say is "hallelujah"! But, back to your point, PP, McLean teaches the students how to handle the workload whether it is chunking the information or working with them on organization and study skills. My DS has ADHD and executive functioning issues and he is able to handle the work as I am sure your child would learn to as well.

I have a DC who has been at McLean for years and will leave and I think this is an astute observation. The school has been great for DS but he has outgrown it. This is not unusual, for a number of kids McLean is a great place to give them what they need to succeed elsewhere. But it is very small. I think thats the biggest downside. After a point there's not a lot of social flexibility and the activities they offer is limited because of the size. I have seen numerous kids come into McLean and be transformed by the experience, mine included. And it can set them up to do well elsewhere.

Having said that, I should point out that people rave about the upper school and say its the best part of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a loaded question and I think it depends on what you mean by a lot of work. Let me give you an example. My son is in the 5th grade at McLean and was at best a "C" student in Math at his prior school. He had a hard time with the homework and always needed help. At McLean they have taught him how to manage the work and advocate for himself if he does not grasp a concept right away. He is now a solid "A" student in Math. The other night he had a Math problems to do. I had only to ask him once when he was going to do it. As I was about to ask him, he was reaching for his homework binder. He took it in the kitchen and worked quietly for an hour. A couple of times I checked on him to ask how things were going to which he replied "Fine" and if he needed helped to which he responded "No". It took him an hour but he finished all the problems. This would have never happened at his old school. Somehow he has made a complete transformation at McLean and can handle the work. The Math problems weren't easy, to me, but he took his time and got it done. The Math teacher has shown me his quizzes and tests where he has gotten "A"s and she confirm DS knows what he is doing. All I have to say is "hallelujah"! But, back to your point, PP, McLean teaches the students how to handle the workload whether it is chunking the information or working with them on organization and study skills. My DS has ADHD and executive functioning issues and he is able to handle the work as I am sure your child would learn to as well.

I have a DC who has been at McLean for years and will leave and I think this is an astute observation. The school has been great for DS but he has outgrown it. This is not unusual, for a number of kids McLean is a great place to give them what they need to succeed elsewhere. But it is very small. I think thats the biggest downside. After a point there's not a lot of social flexibility and the activities they offer is limited because of the size. I have seen numerous kids come into McLean and be transformed by the experience, mine included. And it can set them up to do well elsewhere.

Having said that, I should point out that people rave about the upper school and say its the best part of the school.

I am the PP who wrote about my son's transformation once he started at McLean. I might add he was not happy about leaving his public school and was very resistant initially to going to McLean. I agree with the poster above in saying that students can grow out of McLean, which I view as a positive commentary on the work McLean does with students -- that they feel confident enough to return to the public school or another private for high school. In fact, we anticipate that for our DS. I can anticipate him getting bored with the small social environment at McLean and wanting something else for high school. He is also very sports centered -- competitive swimming, basketball and lacrosse. But, for now, McLean is just what he needs and I am grateful there is a McLean to fill the niche that it does.

[Anonymous]

I am a former student. I was there from 4-8th grade and had nothing but a wonderful experience there. For me, the smaller class sizes actually gave me confidence. I had one amazing teacher named Mrs. Okulsky and I credit her for my love of reading and literature. She was so passionate about what she was teaching and I had never had another teacher like that. I was a student with a high IQ and testing scores, but who did horribly in class. This school really helped me develop a love of learning. Now, I was there over 25 years ago and I am sure much has changed (I believe they go up to high school now). I just wanted to share my experience. I am going to be considering it for my son too. He is turning out to be quite similar to me when it comes to learning and I believe that a school like that could really help him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a loaded question and I think it depends on what you mean by a lot of work. Let me give you an example. My son is in the 5th grade at McLean and was at best a "C" student in Math at his prior school. He had a hard time with the homework and always needed help. At McLean they have taught him how to manage the work and advocate for himself if he does not grasp a concept right away. He is now a solid "A" student in Math. The other night he had a Math problems to do. I had only to ask him once when he was going to do it. As I was about to ask him, he was reaching for his homework binder. He took it in the kitchen and worked quietly for an hour. A couple of times I checked on him to ask how things were going to which he replied "Fine" and if he needed helped to which he responded "No". It took him an hour but he finished all the problems. This would have never happened at his old school. Somehow he has made a complete transformation at McLean and can handle the work. The Math problems weren't easy, to me, but he took his time and got it done. The Math teacher has shown me his quizzes and tests where he has gotten "A"s and she confirm DS knows what he is doing. All I have to say is "hallelujah"! But, back to your point, PP, McLean teaches the students how to handle the workload whether it is chunking the information or working with them on organization and study skills. My DS has ADHD and executive functioning issues and he is able to handle the work as I am sure your child would learn to as well.

I have a DC who has been at McLean for years and will leave and I think this is an astute observation. The school has been great for DS but he has outgrown it. This is not unusual, for a number of kids McLean is a great place to give them what they need to succeed elsewhere. But it is very small. I think thats the biggest downside. After a point there's not a lot of social flexibility and the activities they offer is limited because of the size. I have seen numerous kids come into McLean and be transformed by the experience, mine included. And it can set them up to do well elsewhere.

Having said that, I should point out that people rave about the upper school and say its the best part of the school.

I have heard the same, but we left after 8th grade (to mainstream into public).