Which private schools are welcoming of LGBTQ+ students?

[Anonymous]

Flint Hill has a very diverse student body.

[Anonymous]

Another plug for Burke. You will want to make sure your child's learning needs can be met - I would suggest being very open with the admissions staff, so they can put you in touch with the learning specialists who can help you assess this.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever met a non-binary or trans adolescent that DIDN’T have some kind of anxiety? Not trying to be snarky but generally curious as a teacher and parent. I think schools expect this and places like Burke are poised to handle it well in coordination with the parents and outside support. I would be more concerned about the dyslexic piece. Most private schools do not train their teachers in how to meet the needs of dyslexic students. Most private schools don’t have enough learning specialists and it’s very likely you will have to shell out on your own time (and money) private tutoring or the like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flint Hill has a very diverse student body.

We were going to send our child to Flint Hill, but got a very strong anti-homosexual vibe during the admissions process. We were shocked because we had only great experiences at their two previous schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:St Andrews

Um, no Catholic school can possibly claim to be LGBTQ+ friendly.

St Andrews is Episcopal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever met a non-binary or trans adolescent that DIDN’T have some kind of anxiety? Not trying to be snarky but generally curious as a teacher and parent. I think schools expect this and places like Burke are poised to handle it well in coordination with the parents and outside support. I would be more concerned about the dyslexic piece. Most private schools do not train their teachers in how to meet the needs of dyslexic students. Most private schools don’t have enough learning specialists and it’s very likely you will have to shell out on your own time (and money) private tutoring or the like.

Ummm, my child is non-binary and they exhibit no more anxiety than their cis friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSFS

This. The HOS is gay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSFS

This. The HOS is gay.

Sandy Spring Friends was a good choice even before the current HOS. But it is definitely an excellent choice even more now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The McLean School ( it’s not in McLean)

+1. The McLean School in Potomac. Not to be confused with the Potomac School in McLean.

[Anonymous]

NCS is offering a gay studies class this year, though the learning differences might put this school out of the running.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever met a non-binary or trans adolescent that DIDN’T have some kind of anxiety? Not trying to be snarky but generally curious as a teacher and parent. I think schools expect this and places like Burke are poised to handle it well in coordination with the parents and outside support. I would be more concerned about the dyslexic piece. Most private schools do not train their teachers in how to meet the needs of dyslexic students. Most private schools don’t have enough learning specialists and it’s very likely you will have to shell out on your own time (and money) private tutoring or the like.

Ummm, my child is non-binary and they exhibit no more anxiety than their cis friends.

OP here. At least for my kid, their anxiety is totally unrelated to their gender identity. If anything, coming out has lessened their anxiety.

With respect to dyslexia expertise, in my experience this is absolutely true of DC public schools. My child was not diagnosed until middle school when we paid $$$ to get the full panoply of neuropsych testing done. Not one teacher throughout all their schooling had ever raised dyslexia as a possibility. Not one. I would hope privates would be better equipped to both ID and support dyslexia, but maybe I'm fooling myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone ever met a non-binary or trans adolescent that DIDN’T have some kind of anxiety? Not trying to be snarky but generally curious as a teacher and parent. I think schools expect this and places like Burke are poised to handle it well in coordination with the parents and outside support. I would be more concerned about the dyslexic piece. Most private schools do not train their teachers in how to meet the needs of dyslexic students. Most private schools don’t have enough learning specialists and it’s very likely you will have to shell out on your own time (and money) private tutoring or the like.

Ummm, my child is non-binary and they exhibit no more anxiety than their cis friends.

OP here. At least for my kid, their anxiety is totally unrelated to their gender identity. If anything, coming out has lessened their anxiety.

With respect to dyslexia expertise, in my experience this is absolutely true of DC public schools. My child was not diagnosed until middle school when we paid $$$ to get the full panoply of neuropsych testing done. Not one teacher throughout all their schooling had ever raised dyslexia as a possibility. Not one. I would hope privates would be better equipped to both ID and support dyslexia, but maybe I'm fooling myself.

The most competitive mainstream private schools will not be interested in supporting the dyslexia. If your child's dyslexia is remediated to the point that they don't need anything except maybe extra time on tests, then such a school might work, but if they need anything more, you need to focus on schools that are known to be open to students with learning disabilities. Almost every (non-religious) school around here will be welcoming of LGBTQ students, but much less open to kids with learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Most Episcopalian schools would be welcoming. The first that come to mind are SSSAS and St. Andrews. I know SSSAS has had trans students in the past and currently has students that have come out as gay.

The Episcopal church in general is very open minded and supportive of LGBTQ rights. They have gay and trans clergy, support gay marriage, etc.

[Anonymous]

Most schools would be welcoming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSFS

This. The HOS is gay.

Sandy Spring Friends was a good choice even before the current HOS. But it is definitely an excellent choice even more now.

Another vote for SSFS. And the newish HOS was previously head of the middle school at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac.