Mann & Hardy for child w/ dysgraphia and ADHD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid with ADHD that was at Mann and now at Hardy. Didn't get it diagnosed until was at Hardy and got hit really hard when school started due to workload/organization issues etc., but it has worked out. Workload for bright kid (and not DL) was okay for ADHD kid at Mann who didn't realize why school was hard for them without the diagnosis. Once we got the diagnosis Hardy has been thoughtful about handling. Had to work hard as a parent, but maybe that is standard approach. Did testing ourselves and didn't wait for school to do this and think that documentation helped us. That said, many of the people at Hardy have a good understanding of how ADHD effects executive function and are willing to set up thoughtful 504 plans. They also actually started doing EF training for kids last week on Wed during tutoring times for any kid who wanted to join. We did not get a chance to check it out, but think this is a good sign.

Thank you so much for these experiences - they are incredibly useful. (I'm the OP). While my child has a DL, he is quickly overcoming the dysgraphia with supports and I'm not sure if it will be an issue by middle school. Could be more of an issue, could be less. But I suspect that once he is only typing things, and he has access to spellcheck, he will be fine. On the other hand, I think that the ADHD issues are likely to get worse because of the EF requirements of middle school.

You mentioned that you 'had to work hard as a parent'. I do think that you have to work hard as a parent for any child who learns outside of the norm or who is not in the top 75% of the population for EF (even if they are super smart otherwise).

I am excited to hear you say that many people at Hardy have a good understanding of how ADHD effect executive function and that they are doing EF training for kids occasionally.

Is your child able to feel academically successful at Hardy? My biggest concern is that my DC will decide that school just isn't their thing.......

[Anonymous]

ADHD / 504 at Deal is hit or miss depending on the teachers.

The 504 coordinator has no "power". They are purely an administrator. Teachers were sympathetic - but some had no ability (interest?) in providing a meaningful academic experience. 30 students in a science class - the last thing the teacher was able to think about were 504 accommodations for a child who was not vocal in advocating OR had behavioral problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you said deciding between Hardy and Deal, do you mean which school boundary you will buy a house in? I’m confused!

Our feeder goes to Hardy, we are inbounds for Deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you said deciding between Hardy and Deal, do you mean which school boundary you will buy a house in? I’m confused!

Our feeder goes to Hardy, we are inbounds for Deal.

Awww, gotcha!

[Anonymous]

OP, if it aint broke, why are you looking at DCPS? Managing a
complicated learning profile is hard enough. DCPS is notoriously inconsistent with LD. If you can afford an IB house, maybe stay where you are and look at independent school like Lab or Field for middle school and high school

[Anonymous]

DP. How big are the classes at Hardy?

[Anonymous]

My kid at Hardy had class size in mostly in mid 20s last year. Have no idea how many in distance learning this year. Some classes are especially. To answer question about whether my kid feels academically successful - I would say yes when they are doing well with their executive function skills, which is not all the time. Midterm and end of term is when t is most difficult. The principal is very approachable. Would recommend attending open houses there as you get closer to deciding on middle school for your kid and ask your questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if it aint broke, why are you looking at DCPS? Managing a
complicated learning profile is hard enough. DCPS is notoriously inconsistent with LD. If you can afford an IB house, maybe stay where you are and look at independent school like Lab or Field for middle school and high school

This is the OP. Staying put is one of the options that we are considering, at least through elementary school. But our charter school has not been great in many ways. It's just okay, lots and lots of wasted time. We have supplemented a lot outside of school. Nonetheless decent special education supports in addition to a supportive and caring environment. For fourth and fifth grade, though, it would be nice to waste less time and actually learn something in the general education classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid at Hardy had class size in mostly in mid 20s last year. Have no idea how many in distance learning this year. Some classes are especially. To answer question about whether my kid feels academically successful - I would say yes when they are doing well with their executive function skills, which is not all the time. Midterm and end of term is when t is most difficult. The principal is very approachable. Would recommend attending open houses there as you get closer to deciding on middle school for your kid and ask your questions.

This sounds good! mid 20s class size is not bad for middle school I think. What are the class sizes at Deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid at Hardy had class size in mostly in mid 20s last year. Have no idea how many in distance learning this year. Some classes are especially. To answer question about whether my kid feels academically successful - I would say yes when they are doing well with their executive function skills, which is not all the time. Midterm and end of term is when t is most difficult. The principal is very approachable. Would recommend attending open houses there as you get closer to deciding on middle school for your kid and ask your questions.

This sounds good! mid 20s class size is not bad for middle school I think. What are the class sizes at Deal?

Deal is bigger. Way bigger! FWIW, I went to deal in the 90s and the same problems with overcrowding existed. This was 93.