Is there a list somewhere of all the private special needs schools where Fairfax pays the tution?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Placement in a private school is the most restrictive environment. You would have to demonstrate that in the 11th largest school system, all types of services and classroom types have been exhausted before FCPS agrees to pay tens of thousands of dollars for tuition.

Some public placements end up being more restrictive than private placements. For instance, if a kid has too many behavior/social issues to be mainstreamed at all. He will basically be sitting in the special ed/resource room all day alone with the teacher or aide. The fact that FCPS does pay for private placements means some kids need them. Why all the secrecy over the options?

It's not a secret. We all know private placement exist. We also know that they are extremely difficult to get so why offer an option that for most people won't happen. A private placement could be anywhere. MD, VA, DC--there are too many options to list. So it becomes a case of what is best for your child. And the flip side is that the private school has to accept the child. Just because the county says they will pay doesn't mean your child will be admitted.

Let's take Ivymount. Rumor has it that it costs between $60-80k per yr. That is actual money that has to come out of the budget. It's not a funny money line item transfer. It's real money being removed from bank account somewhere. FCPS isn't going to be quick to advertise this as an option.

A child who needs a private placement is already very expensive to educate in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Placement in a private school is the most restrictive environment. You would have to demonstrate that in the 11th largest school system, all types of services and classroom types have been exhausted before FCPS agrees to pay tens of thousands of dollars for tuition.

Some public placements end up being more restrictive than private placements. For instance, if a kid has too many behavior/social issues to be mainstreamed at all. He will basically be sitting in the special ed/resource room all day alone with the teacher or aide. The fact that FCPS does pay for private placements means some kids need them. Why all the secrecy over the options?

It's not a secret. We all know private placement exist. We also know that they are extremely difficult to get so why offer an option that for most people won't happen. A private placement could be anywhere. MD, VA, DC--there are too many options to list. So it becomes a case of what is best for your child. And the flip side is that the private school has to accept the child. Just because the county says they will pay doesn't mean your child will be admitted.

Let's take Ivymount. Rumor has it that it costs between $60-80k per yr. That is actual money that has to come out of the budget. It's not a funny money line item transfer. It's real money being removed from bank account somewhere. FCPS isn't going to be quick to advertise this as an option.

Is a private placement in MD or DC realistic for a child in Lorton, though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-he spends most of the day in the self-contained class.

Is he already in an enhanced autism classroom?

OP-he was in an enhanced autism class in K-1 but it wasn't a good placement for him, so we switched to the current placement which is also not a good fit.

If you were in his IEP meeting now, what would you advocate for? You need to know what you want before you can ask for it. So far, you've told us that he was in EAC for K-1 and that wasn't a good fit. That his current placement is mostly a self contained classroom and that's not a good fit. So what do you think will be a good fit? Why were the last 3 years not a good fit? What was wrong or what did you ask for from the IEP team and the teachers that was not met?

[Anonymous]

OP-he actually spends a lot of time in the "calm down" room or often in the "safe room". The behavior improvement plans don't seem to have any effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP-he actually spends a lot of time in the "calm down" room or often in the "safe room". The behavior improvement plans don't seem to have any effect.

What outside therapy is receiving? You mention ADHD. Is he on medication?

[Anonymous]

Yes, he is on an ADHD med and an anti-depressant. He has a private psychologist who also recommends a school change but she doesn't know what is available in our area (we travel to her b/c she is in-network).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, he is on an ADHD med and an anti-depressant. He has a private psychologist who also recommends a school change but she doesn't know what is available in our area (we travel to her b/c she is in-network).

What features is she recommending? Perhaps if you shared with us what she thinks would be a good fit, we could brainstorm some alternatives for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP-he actually spends a lot of time in the "calm down" room or often in the "safe room". The behavior improvement plans don't seem to have any effect.

What are the reasons he is ending up in the "calm down/safe room"? Does he need to move? Is he aggressive to others? Is it possible to identify what the egregious behaviors are or what is triggering them?

[Anonymous]

Doubt it would make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Private school is not a right

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-he spends most of the day in the self-contained class.

Is he already in an enhanced autism classroom?

OP-he was in an enhanced autism class in K-1 but it wasn't a good placement for him, so we switched to the current placement which is also not a good fit.

Who instigated this change? You or his teachers? Is it possible that a different enhanced autism class would work? We are in a different part of the county, and this was 3 or4 years ago, but I know someone who switched her DC to a different ES in a different enhanced autism classroom and that worked much better. Sometimes the students just doesn't click with his teacher and/or his co-horts.

Is your DC getting ABA therapy in or out of school? Is your DC in a social skills group in or out of school?

[Anonymous]

Guys, it is pretty easy for the school to identify this family based on what's been posted. I don't think OP should post any more identifying details.

[Anonymous]

OP sounds like a nightmare. Homeschool your bad kid yourself.

[Anonymous]

OP, ignore last poster.

If his behavioral issues aren't improving, then he needs something different. Smaller class, re-testing, talking to him about what he needs.

[Anonymous]

It's close to impossible to get a paid private placement without a lawyer and even with a lawyer your chances don't go up much. The have to exhaust every possibility. Does your child have a good developmental pediatrician who mighr be able to make recommendations either within the school system or to get your child placed privately?

There will never be a "list" because the last thing they want to do is encourage parents to go this route. It's hard enough fighting for more services with the IEP and that costs much less money.

The other issue if private school were an option is what private school and would your child get in. Places like ivymount that have taken students where the county pays tuition have really small classes. I would assume they turn down many kids who would be a good match.