Bullis, Landon, St. Andrew's, McLean, Norwood, Burke, Field, WES???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: OP -- a very good question. My kids attended one of these schools. The school did various helpful things -- tell students what binders/notebooks to purchase, instructions on how to maintain them, occasional organizational check ups, frequent quizzes /smaller assessments in between major ones to be sure material is learned in manageable bits, all sorts of assignments designed to teach study skills at home, etc. But here's the thing. At the end of the day, the child who enjoyed studying more in the first place and needed these techniques less, probably got more out of them in middle school and eventually kept what worked best for that child and discarded the rest which actually became a bit clumsy by high school for that one. The one who liked studying relatively less than doing other things, learned largely the same techniques but did not always apply them as well because that child did not want to take as much time as needed to do so given that child's interests in other pursuits outside of the classroom.

So my non-expert /I'm "just" a parent opinion is this. Some of these techniques can be helpful for some students, but there is no magic to them. What is more important -- and much harder to teach a child -- is intrinsic motivation. You mention many fine schools in your post, and I wont' say which one(s) my children attended although we are big fans. But I will say that rather than get caught up in the hype about techniques -- beyond making sure the teachers/administration is basically knowledgeable /competent -- and instead focus on the teaching relationships with the students. Do the teachers really get to know the kids as individuals and are they the sort of people your children will comfortable going to if they need help. Those are helpful prerequisites for a teacher to know how to motivate a given student and in my own family's experience that is the more important piece of the learning puzzle. Good luck OP.

So so so true!! Well said!

[Anonymous]

12:44

do you have some bias towards landon?

you didnt articulate why landon would not be able to support a boy with ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: OP -- a very good question. My kids attended one of these schools. The school did various helpful things -- tell students what binders/notebooks to purchase, instructions on how to maintain them, occasional organizational check ups, frequent quizzes /smaller assessments in between major ones to be sure material is learned in manageable bits, all sorts of assignments designed to teach study skills at home, etc. But here's the thing. At the end of the day, the child who enjoyed studying more in the first place and needed these techniques less, probably got more out of them in middle school and eventually kept what worked best for that child and discarded the rest which actually became a bit clumsy by high school for that one. The one who liked studying relatively less than doing other things, learned largely the same techniques but did not always apply them as well because that child did not want to take as much time as needed to do so given that child's interests in other pursuits outside of the classroom.

So my non-expert /I'm "just" a parent opinion is this. Some of these techniques can be helpful for some students, but there is no magic to them. What is more important -- and much harder to teach a child -- is intrinsic motivation. You mention many fine schools in your post, and I wont' say which one(s) my children attended although we are big fans. But I will say that rather than get caught up in the hype about techniques -- beyond making sure the teachers/administration is basically knowledgeable /competent -- and instead focus on the teaching relationships with the students. Do the teachers really get to know the kids as individuals and are they the sort of people your children will comfortable going to if they need help. Those are helpful prerequisites for a teacher to know how to motivate a given student and in my own family's experience that is the more important piece of the learning puzzle. Good luck OP.

So so so true!! Well said!

Yes, I agree, too. But you should name the school that you mention. I'm guessing it's Norwood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A long list, but these are schools I've found that appear to "get" disorganized boys and work with them to help improve organizational skills and/or to have some sort of accommodations in place for students with ADD and/or a staff learning specialist, learning center, etc. This would be for a 6th grader. Would really appreciate any input from parents who have seen the school work with their child's deficits in a supportive, constructive manner that has resulted in the student being well equipped for high school. Also, if you could share WHAT the techniques were that worked, it would be appreciated. TIA!

Bullis - I grew up in the area. Bullis always had a terrific reputation. Why is it so awful? Our educational consultant actually mentioned Bullis as a good possibility for our DS who also has ADHD

Landon - Not a good choice for an ADHD kid. super uptight, students have very entitled attitudes as do the parents. Lots of recent scandals involving students and teachers.

St. Andrew's - lovely school, nice parent population. Accommodating school to a degree. If your child has more than "mild" ADHD then look elsewhere.

McLean - great choice

Norwood - eh....good school but like STA, not really a school for an ADHD kid.

Burke - very progressive school, lots of kids with various learning profiles but from what I understand - they do not offer accommodations.

Field - only if your kid loves sports.

WES - I have a friend who's DD is a 6th grader at WES. Her DD loves it, they are new to the school. Nothing negative to say about WES.

Lastly, I would ask your question on the Special Needs board. Lots of ADHD discussions there.

This is the first time I've heard Field is only a good fit if your kid loves sports. Really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A long list, but these are schools I've found that appear to "get" disorganized boys and work with them to help improve organizational skills and/or to have some sort of accommodations in place for students with ADD and/or a staff learning specialist, learning center, etc. This would be for a 6th grader. Would really appreciate any input from parents who have seen the school work with their child's deficits in a supportive, constructive manner that has resulted in the student being well equipped for high school. Also, if you could share WHAT the techniques were that worked, it would be appreciated. TIA!

Bullis - I grew up in the area. Bullis always had a terrific reputation. Why is it so awful? Our educational consultant actually mentioned Bullis as a good possibility for our DS who also has ADHD

Landon - Not a good choice for an ADHD kid. super uptight, students have very entitled attitudes as do the parents. Lots of recent scandals involving students and teachers.

St. Andrew's - lovely school, nice parent population. Accommodating school to a degree. If your child has more than "mild" ADHD then look elsewhere.

McLean - great choice

Norwood - eh....good school but like STA, not really a school for an ADHD kid.

Burke - very progressive school, lots of kids with various learning profiles but from what I understand - they do not offer accommodations.

Field - only if your kid loves sports.

WES - I have a friend who's DD is a 6th grader at WES. Her DD loves it, they are new to the school. Nothing negative to say about WES.

Lastly, I would ask your question on the Special Needs board. Lots of ADHD discussions there.

Thanks all, this is OP. I have taken Landon off our list HOWEVER I do not agree with the comments here. I met many boys with ADD at Landon who spoke with me at length. I did not get a chance to tour the learning center, but I'm impressed with their resources and staffing. Some of you may wish to check further.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not WES. We pulled our DC with ADHD out of WES. They were awful.

OP again - Where did you go that met your needs better? And what did they do differently? thanks!

[Anonymous]

This is a very odd set of comments - not at all consistent with my experience as a native of DC and a parent of high school aged kids.

Bullis - I grew up in the area. Bullis always had a terrific reputation. Why is it so awful? Our educational consultant actually mentioned Bullis as a good possibility for our DS who also has ADHD

In the old days, Bullis was an athletic powerhouse but not as strong academically. They have changed - offer a good experience for a range of learners, including kids with mild ADHD. They have a good learning center.

Landon - Not a good choice for an ADHD kid. super uptight, students have very entitled attitudes as do the parents. Lots of recent scandals involving students and teachers.

Offers many plusses for some kids with ADHD. Lots of outdoor time, both in terms of recess and sports and just walking between classes.

St. Andrew's - lovely school, nice parent population. Accommodating school to a degree. If your child has more than "mild" ADHD then look elsewhere.

Agreed on many counts, but they also will accommodate more severe executive issues/LD's than many schools.

McLean - great choice

Yes, especially if your child needs more supports/explicit instruction on ways to compensate.

Norwood - eh....good school but like STA, not really a school for an ADHD kid.

Works for inattentive kids, not so much for impulsive/hyperactive kids.

Burke - very progressive school, lots of kids with various learning profiles but from what I understand - they do not offer accommodations.

Offers the standard accommodations seen in other private schools: extra time, checking assignment books in middle school, etc.

Field - only if your kid loves sports.

??? Because they have fields??? Similar to Burke in many ways, but less urban vibe.

WES - I have a friend who's DD is a 6th grader at WES. Her DD loves it, they are new to the school. Nothing negative to say about WES.

Similar to Norwood - works well for inattentive/disorganized kids, not so much for impulsive kids.

Lastly, I would ask your question on the Special Needs board. Lots of ADHD discussions there.

[Anonymous]

I had a disorganized boy who is now relatively organized and Landon was a good place for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A long list, but these are schools I've found that appear to "get" disorganized boys and work with them to help improve organizational skills and/or to have some sort of accommodations in place for students with ADD and/or a staff learning specialist, learning center, etc. This would be for a 6th grader. Would really appreciate any input from parents who have seen the school work with their child's deficits in a supportive, constructive manner that has resulted in the student being well equipped for high school. Also, if you could share WHAT the techniques were that worked, it would be appreciated. TIA!

Bullis - I grew up in the area. Bullis always had a terrific reputation. Why is it so awful? Our educational consultant actually mentioned Bullis as a good possibility for our DS who also has ADHD

Landon - Not a good choice for an ADHD kid. super uptight, students have very entitled attitudes as do the parents. Lots of recent scandals involving students and teachers.

St. Andrew's - lovely school, nice parent population. Accommodating school to a degree. If your child has more than "mild" ADHD then look elsewhere.

McLean - great choice

Norwood - eh....good school but like STA, not really a school for an ADHD kid.

Burke - very progressive school, lots of kids with various learning profiles but from what I understand - they do not offer accommodations.

Field - only if your kid loves sports.

WES - I have a friend who's DD is a 6th grader at WES. Her DD loves it, they are new to the school. Nothing negative to say about WES.

Lastly, I would ask your question on the Special Needs board. Lots of ADHD discussions there.

Burke does offer accommodations.

[Anonymous]

Norwood was fabulous for my daughter who had ADHD and son with processing issues. It's an incredibly kind school and the MS Learning Specialist is a hero for kids of all kinds

[Anonymous]

Bullis does not have terrific reputation. I' have lived in this area for at least 25 years and the school has always been known as the reform school - the place to send your daughter or son if she / he did not get accepted to any place else. Maybe the perception is changing now but I do recall in the 80s and 90s it was the school that always accepted kids who flunked out of another school or had discipline issues. I don't think the school still has it's military component anymore as it was a prep school for the navy back in the 50s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bullis does not have terrific reputation. I' have lived in this area for at least 25 years and the school has always been known as the reform school - the place to send your daughter or son if she / he did not get accepted to any place else. Maybe the perception is changing now but I do recall in the 80s and 90s it was the school that always accepted kids who flunked out of another school or had discipline issues. I don't think the school still has it's military component anymore as it was a prep school for the navy back in the 50s.

I tutor a number of Bullis students -- it's no reform school; though I do know it was once considered to be one. That's a very dated perception.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in DC and the reputation Bullis used to have is very outdated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP - we tried several options including two of the schools on your list and public. The stand out was Commonwealth Academy in N. Alexandria where we have last child now. Superb school, very small, but college-prep for ADHD and exec. functioning kids. Rated no. 1 recently for DC SN schools and 16th in the nation. Obviously I don't know where you live, but call the admissions director, Josh Gwilliam, and chat with him over the phone and, if interested, he will put you in touch with parents in your child's grade. Sixth grade is a good time to enter. If distance is an issue, there is a giant map across from admissions with tacks in it for every family so that families can arrange car pools.

I'm interested in the ratings for DC and nationwide special needs schools. Can you provide links to the sources? Thanks.

Yes, I think - It was just printed in C/A's magazine mailed this week. I could find by calling during the school week (reading this on a sat) . Let me go back and see where the stats. came from. I still have the magazine. Also, one boy made national merit commendation, a senior girl won a national prize, a boy won a national rubik's cube speed competition, someone made Eagle, etc. I'll go find out and post back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP - we tried several options including two of the schools on your list and public. The stand out was Commonwealth Academy in N. Alexandria where we have last child now. Superb school, very small, but college-prep for ADHD and exec. functioning kids. Rated no. 1 recently for DC SN schools and 16th in the nation. Obviously I don't know where you live, but call the admissions director, Josh Gwilliam, and chat with him over the phone and, if interested, he will put you in touch with parents in your child's grade. Sixth grade is a good time to enter. If distance is an issue, there is a giant map across from admissions with tacks in it for every family so that families can arrange car pools.

I'm interested in the ratings for DC and nationwide special needs schools. Can you provide links to the sources? Thanks.

Here it is: http://www.masters-in-special-education.com/50-best-private-special-needs-schools/