How does HB Woodlawn lottery work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear about the tradeoffs. My neurodiverse (I think) child is very much hoping to go.

But I guess it will be moot if the lottery doesn't go our way, which it most likely won't!

Another current parent. My child is also neurodivergent and it has been a great fit. They were the one who wanted to apply and were most excited about the idea—not us. They are happy and doing well and have actually commented on how much neurodiversity there is at the school. I don’t think any school is perfect. I wish there was more capacity or an ability for more kids seeking a place like HB to have one. I definitely agree that it’s not like a private school (I went to one and worked at one) and I think some of the “cachet” is silly. But it’s great for kids who want to be there.

May I ask you why it’s such a great fit for neurodivergent kids in your opinion?

When we went to their tour (a few yrs ago) they said they absolutely offer the least services for kids that need supports compared to all other schools, and it sounded like IEP and 504 applicants were discouraged from applying a bit?

Obviously because its a small school that the ND kid wont be lost in a sea of students.

PP said their kid is ND (I think) — so informal diagnosis so unlikely to get the full IEP, probably just more time for tests.

Having a smaller calmer school will have less distractions and be nicer for the ND.

The new building has no carpet and is super noisy so that alone makes it difficult for my ND kid. Sometimes I wish she hadnt gone to HB for that alone.

Omg, you think the neighborhood schools are QUIETER?

Yes. I am a substitute teacher and have been at all APS middle schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear about the tradeoffs. My neurodiverse (I think) child is very much hoping to go.

But I guess it will be moot if the lottery doesn't go our way, which it most likely won't!

Another current parent. My child is also neurodivergent and it has been a great fit. They were the one who wanted to apply and were most excited about the idea—not us. They are happy and doing well and have actually commented on how much neurodiversity there is at the school. I don’t think any school is perfect. I wish there was more capacity or an ability for more kids seeking a place like HB to have one. I definitely agree that it’s not like a private school (I went to one and worked at one) and I think some of the “cachet” is silly. But it’s great for kids who want to be there.

May I ask you why it’s such a great fit for neurodivergent kids in your opinion?

When we went to their tour (a few yrs ago) they said they absolutely offer the least services for kids that need supports compared to all other schools, and it sounded like IEP and 504 applicants were discouraged from applying a bit?

Obviously because its a small school that the ND kid wont be lost in a sea of students.

PP said their kid is ND (I think) — so informal diagnosis so unlikely to get the full IEP, probably just more time for tests.

Having a smaller calmer school will have less distractions and be nicer for the ND.

The new building has no carpet and is super noisy so that alone makes it difficult for my ND kid. Sometimes I wish she hadnt gone to HB for that alone.

Omg, you think the neighborhood schools are QUIETER?

I could see that. My kid was pretty thrown after her tour day at HB. Kids were apparently sliding all over the halways floors in their socks. There are not passes and if kids are done with their work teachers often just let them go. So more kids roam the halls. Also kids are hanging out all over the school including eating lunch in random places including hte halls. It's a very nice place but there's a lot going on so I doubt it has less distractions. It's also not that structures so a kid who thrives on structure and routine may have some challenges. They have a really confusing schedule and then are constandly changing it for a million diferent reasons. That said, my kid did seem to need a lot of structure and routine in elementary and then somehow is fine with the delightful chaos of HB. Sometimes it's annoying to me like a last minute notice of a field trip when I have already schedule a dr's appt for him on that day or something. But we like it enough to overlook that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear about the tradeoffs. My neurodiverse (I think) child is very much hoping to go.

But I guess it will be moot if the lottery doesn't go our way, which it most likely won't!

Another current parent. My child is also neurodivergent and it has been a great fit. They were the one who wanted to apply and were most excited about the idea—not us. They are happy and doing well and have actually commented on how much neurodiversity there is at the school. I don’t think any school is perfect. I wish there was more capacity or an ability for more kids seeking a place like HB to have one. I definitely agree that it’s not like a private school (I went to one and worked at one) and I think some of the “cachet” is silly. But it’s great for kids who want to be there.

May I ask you why it’s such a great fit for neurodivergent kids in your opinion?

When we went to their tour (a few yrs ago) they said they absolutely offer the least services for kids that need supports compared to all other schools, and it sounded like IEP and 504 applicants were discouraged from applying a bit?

Obviously because its a small school that the ND kid wont be lost in a sea of students.

PP said their kid is ND (I think) — so informal diagnosis so unlikely to get the full IEP, probably just more time for tests.

Having a smaller calmer school will have less distractions and be nicer for the ND.

Do you know HB? It is smaller but I don't know that it's "calmer." Why would you say that? It's not a calm place at all. They have a ninjas game played in school in the building every winter for example with kids doing crazy things all through the building, chasing each other, etc. Teachers tolerate it but don't seem to love it. Fun yes, but not calm.

It has been good for my ND kid and there seems to be a lot of other kids with disabilities too. so that has been very normalizing. The disabilites seem to be of the milder sort - anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia etc.

HB is great with accommodations, very flexible and good attitude to give kids what they need. They have been very welcoming to my kid with an IEP. It's also a very accepting place whether you are ND or trans or whatever. They don't have self contained sped classes though (except for IS) or reading remediation, so that level of support is just not available. I guess APS made the call not to provide those resources at HB. Probably not feasible given small numbers in a small school? So if your kid needs that level of services then HB would not be a good fit and you would have to go to a neighborhood school to get it. And why even bother to apply then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear about the tradeoffs. My neurodiverse (I think) child is very much hoping to go.

But I guess it will be moot if the lottery doesn't go our way, which it most likely won't!

Another current parent. My child is also neurodivergent and it has been a great fit. They were the one who wanted to apply and were most excited about the idea—not us. They are happy and doing well and have actually commented on how much neurodiversity there is at the school. I don’t think any school is perfect. I wish there was more capacity or an ability for more kids seeking a place like HB to have one. I definitely agree that it’s not like a private school (I went to one and worked at one) and I think some of the “cachet” is silly. But it’s great for kids who want to be there.

May I ask you why it’s such a great fit for neurodivergent kids in your opinion?

When we went to their tour (a few yrs ago) they said they absolutely offer the least services for kids that need supports compared to all other schools, and it sounded like IEP and 504 applicants were discouraged from applying a bit?

Obviously because its a small school that the ND kid wont be lost in a sea of students.

PP said their kid is ND (I think) — so informal diagnosis so unlikely to get the full IEP, probably just more time for tests.

Having a smaller calmer school will have less distractions and be nicer for the ND.

The new building has no carpet and is super noisy so that alone makes it difficult for my ND kid. Sometimes I wish she hadnt gone to HB for that alone.

Omg, you think the neighborhood schools are QUIETER?

Yes. I am a substitute teacher and have been at all APS middle schools.

Oh, I was talking about high schools. Most of our middle schools are under capacity so yes that tracks they would be potentially quieter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear about the tradeoffs. My neurodiverse (I think) child is very much hoping to go.

But I guess it will be moot if the lottery doesn't go our way, which it most likely won't!

Another current parent. My child is also neurodivergent and it has been a great fit. They were the one who wanted to apply and were most excited about the idea—not us. They are happy and doing well and have actually commented on how much neurodiversity there is at the school. I don’t think any school is perfect. I wish there was more capacity or an ability for more kids seeking a place like HB to have one. I definitely agree that it’s not like a private school (I went to one and worked at one) and I think some of the “cachet” is silly. But it’s great for kids who want to be there.

May I ask you why it’s such a great fit for neurodivergent kids in your opinion?

When we went to their tour (a few yrs ago) they said they absolutely offer the least services for kids that need supports compared to all other schools, and it sounded like IEP and 504 applicants were discouraged from applying a bit?

THEY SAID THAT??? My DS teacher is swamped with dealing with all the accommodations, must be much nicer to teach there.

Not verbatim. They said that all the services one could need or want are at the neighborhood schools, and not at HB, and that, as parents, we should think extra carefully before we send our kid to HB, if they need any services, or accommodations. But this was a few years ago. Not sure, if it’s all the same since then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, PP with possibly neurodivergent kid (yes, no IEP, no 504 - have another kid with that just not this one since no academic issues), and just found out they are in the top 10. How likely is it that they will get in?

From which school?

Would rather not say - sorry - but does school of origin factor in? Aren't you just at the spot you are at (let's say it was #17) and if 17 people decide not to go, you get in?

No, for 6th, if you are #17, 16 people from your current school would have to say no. Unless you are #1 on WL chances are very unlikely to zero.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear about the tradeoffs. My neurodiverse (I think) child is very much hoping to go.

But I guess it will be moot if the lottery doesn't go our way, which it most likely won't!

Another current parent. My child is also neurodivergent and it has been a great fit. They were the one who wanted to apply and were most excited about the idea—not us. They are happy and doing well and have actually commented on how much neurodiversity there is at the school. I don’t think any school is perfect. I wish there was more capacity or an ability for more kids seeking a place like HB to have one. I definitely agree that it’s not like a private school (I went to one and worked at one) and I think some of the “cachet” is silly. But it’s great for kids who want to be there.

May I ask you why it’s such a great fit for neurodivergent kids in your opinion?

When we went to their tour (a few yrs ago) they said they absolutely offer the least services for kids that need supports compared to all other schools, and it sounded like IEP and 504 applicants were discouraged from applying a bit?

THEY SAID THAT??? My DS teacher is swamped with dealing with all the accommodations, must be much nicer to teach there.

Not verbatim. They said that all the services one could need or want are at the neighborhood schools, and not at HB, and that, as parents, we should think extra carefully before we send our kid to HB, if they need any services, or accommodations. But this was a few years ago. Not sure, if it’s all the same since then.

I kind of doubt they said this about accommodations but yes for services this is accurate. This is how APS has decided to do things, so HB is just pointing out what they were not given so people can take that into account in their decisions. We have found them to be very welcoming and accommodating with what they are given and do have. What they don't have is not HB's fault. Take that up with APS.

[Anonymous]

Want to compare APS ND services at HB and neighborhood middle school. Both my kids have a fully loaded IEP for ADHD and dyslexia. Both also have a third dx but different. Kid 1 went to neighborhood school. It wasn't great. There was no ready / dyslexia support, IEP wasn't honored and the case carrier seemed over extended. I don't think it was the teachers or the case carrier. I just think the school wasn't equipped to manage the IEP. I was constantly working with the school, reminding about accommodations and helping them think through how to be true to the IEP. We also had to remediate privately.

At HB, it's been amazing. While it is true, they do not explicitly offer dyslexia services, neither did the neighborhood school. The IS at HB is amazing. The school is teaching my second to advocate for themselves which, at neighborhood school, I had to do it.

That said, my second child has an autistic friend who also got into HB and their family decided not to send them b/c their neighborhood school seemed to offer better supports but since that is not our struggle, I can't comment further.

Happy to answer questions further while remaining anon.

That said,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to hear about the tradeoffs. My neurodiverse (I think) child is very much hoping to go.

But I guess it will be moot if the lottery doesn't go our way, which it most likely won't!

Another current parent. My child is also neurodivergent and it has been a great fit. They were the one who wanted to apply and were most excited about the idea—not us. They are happy and doing well and have actually commented on how much neurodiversity there is at the school. I don’t think any school is perfect. I wish there was more capacity or an ability for more kids seeking a place like HB to have one. I definitely agree that it’s not like a private school (I went to one and worked at one) and I think some of the “cachet” is silly. But it’s great for kids who want to be there.

May I ask you why it’s such a great fit for neurodivergent kids in your opinion?

When we went to their tour (a few yrs ago) they said they absolutely offer the least services for kids that need supports compared to all other schools, and it sounded like IEP and 504 applicants were discouraged from applying a bit?

Obviously because its a small school that the ND kid wont be lost in a sea of students.

PP said their kid is ND (I think) — so informal diagnosis so unlikely to get the full IEP, probably just more time for tests.

Having a smaller calmer school will have less distractions and be nicer for the ND.

The new building has no carpet and is super noisy so that alone makes it difficult for my ND kid. Sometimes I wish she hadnt gone to HB for that alone.

Omg, you think the neighborhood schools are QUIETER?

Yes. I am a substitute teacher and have been at all APS middle schools.

I feel so overstimulated at this school. But that's me. I also feel overstimed at WL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Want to compare APS ND services at HB and neighborhood middle school. Both my kids have a fully loaded IEP for ADHD and dyslexia. Both also have a third dx but different. Kid 1 went to neighborhood school. It wasn't great. There was no ready / dyslexia support, IEP wasn't honored and the case carrier seemed over extended. I don't think it was the teachers or the case carrier. I just think the school wasn't equipped to manage the IEP. I was constantly working with the school, reminding about accommodations and helping them think through how to be true to the IEP. We also had to remediate privately.

At HB, it's been amazing. While it is true, they do not explicitly offer dyslexia services, neither did the neighborhood school. The IS at HB is amazing. The school is teaching my second to advocate for themselves which, at neighborhood school, I had to do it.

That said, my second child has an autistic friend who also got into HB and their family decided not to send them b/c their neighborhood school seemed to offer better supports but since that is not our struggle, I can't comment further.

Happy to answer questions further while remaining anon.

That said,

Not surprising that HBW worked better for you, compared WL and HBW for instance.

Both schools have about 15% of students with disabilities.

But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students.

Further, WL has more FARMS at 30%, while HBW is 12%, which likely reduces poverty-related demands on staff.

With that mix, its much more personalized services for IEP holders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Want to compare APS ND services at HB and neighborhood middle school. Both my kids have a fully loaded IEP for ADHD and dyslexia. Both also have a third dx but different. Kid 1 went to neighborhood school. It wasn't great. There was no ready / dyslexia support, IEP wasn't honored and the case carrier seemed over extended. I don't think it was the teachers or the case carrier. I just think the school wasn't equipped to manage the IEP. I was constantly working with the school, reminding about accommodations and helping them think through how to be true to the IEP. We also had to remediate privately.

At HB, it's been amazing. While it is true, they do not explicitly offer dyslexia services, neither did the neighborhood school. The IS at HB is amazing. The school is teaching my second to advocate for themselves which, at neighborhood school, I had to do it.

That said, my second child has an autistic friend who also got into HB and their family decided not to send them b/c their neighborhood school seemed to offer better supports but since that is not our struggle, I can't comment further.

Happy to answer questions further while remaining anon.

That said,

Not surprising that HBW worked better for you, compared WL and HBW for instance.

Both schools have about 15% of students with disabilities.

But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students.

Further, WL has more FARMS at 30%, while HBW is 12%, which likely reduces poverty-related demands on staff.

With that mix, its much more personalized services for IEP holders.

I don't understand this, can you please explain? "But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students."

If IS is Instructional studies, WL doesn't have 100 person IS classes and HB doesn't have 70 student IS classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Want to compare APS ND services at HB and neighborhood middle school. Both my kids have a fully loaded IEP for ADHD and dyslexia. Both also have a third dx but different. Kid 1 went to neighborhood school. It wasn't great. There was no ready / dyslexia support, IEP wasn't honored and the case carrier seemed over extended. I don't think it was the teachers or the case carrier. I just think the school wasn't equipped to manage the IEP. I was constantly working with the school, reminding about accommodations and helping them think through how to be true to the IEP. We also had to remediate privately.

At HB, it's been amazing. While it is true, they do not explicitly offer dyslexia services, neither did the neighborhood school. The IS at HB is amazing. The school is teaching my second to advocate for themselves which, at neighborhood school, I had to do it.

That said, my second child has an autistic friend who also got into HB and their family decided not to send them b/c their neighborhood school seemed to offer better supports but since that is not our struggle, I can't comment further.

Happy to answer questions further while remaining anon.

That said,

Not surprising that HBW worked better for you, compared WL and HBW for instance.

Both schools have about 15% of students with disabilities.

But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students.

Further, WL has more FARMS at 30%, while HBW is 12%, which likely reduces poverty-related demands on staff.

With that mix, its much more personalized services for IEP holders.

actually the title 1 schools get more staff because they are title 1 so they often are also far better for students with disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Want to compare APS ND services at HB and neighborhood middle school. Both my kids have a fully loaded IEP for ADHD and dyslexia. Both also have a third dx but different. Kid 1 went to neighborhood school. It wasn't great. There was no ready / dyslexia support, IEP wasn't honored and the case carrier seemed over extended. I don't think it was the teachers or the case carrier. I just think the school wasn't equipped to manage the IEP. I was constantly working with the school, reminding about accommodations and helping them think through how to be true to the IEP. We also had to remediate privately.

At HB, it's been amazing. While it is true, they do not explicitly offer dyslexia services, neither did the neighborhood school. The IS at HB is amazing. The school is teaching my second to advocate for themselves which, at neighborhood school, I had to do it.

That said, my second child has an autistic friend who also got into HB and their family decided not to send them b/c their neighborhood school seemed to offer better supports but since that is not our struggle, I can't comment further.

Happy to answer questions further while remaining anon.

That said,

Not surprising that HBW worked better for you, compared WL and HBW for instance.

Both schools have about 15% of students with disabilities.

But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students.

Further, WL has more FARMS at 30%, while HBW is 12%, which likely reduces poverty-related demands on staff.

With that mix, its much more personalized services for IEP holders.

I don't understand this, can you please explain? "But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students."

If IS is Instructional studies, WL doesn't have 100 person IS classes and HB doesn't have 70 student IS classes.

Its the ratio of student population to instructional support staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Want to compare APS ND services at HB and neighborhood middle school. Both my kids have a fully loaded IEP for ADHD and dyslexia. Both also have a third dx but different. Kid 1 went to neighborhood school. It wasn't great. There was no ready / dyslexia support, IEP wasn't honored and the case carrier seemed over extended. I don't think it was the teachers or the case carrier. I just think the school wasn't equipped to manage the IEP. I was constantly working with the school, reminding about accommodations and helping them think through how to be true to the IEP. We also had to remediate privately.

At HB, it's been amazing. While it is true, they do not explicitly offer dyslexia services, neither did the neighborhood school. The IS at HB is amazing. The school is teaching my second to advocate for themselves which, at neighborhood school, I had to do it.

That said, my second child has an autistic friend who also got into HB and their family decided not to send them b/c their neighborhood school seemed to offer better supports but since that is not our struggle, I can't comment further.

Happy to answer questions further while remaining anon.

That said,

Not surprising that HBW worked better for you, compared WL and HBW for instance.

Both schools have about 15% of students with disabilities.

But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students.

Further, WL has more FARMS at 30%, while HBW is 12%, which likely reduces poverty-related demands on staff.

With that mix, its much more personalized services for IEP holders.

actually the title 1 schools get more staff because they are title 1 so they often are also far better for students with disabilities.

Okay? 30% FARMS does not make WL Title 1, so there is no benefit to having nearly 3x the higher need population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Want to compare APS ND services at HB and neighborhood middle school. Both my kids have a fully loaded IEP for ADHD and dyslexia. Both also have a third dx but different. Kid 1 went to neighborhood school. It wasn't great. There was no ready / dyslexia support, IEP wasn't honored and the case carrier seemed over extended. I don't think it was the teachers or the case carrier. I just think the school wasn't equipped to manage the IEP. I was constantly working with the school, reminding about accommodations and helping them think through how to be true to the IEP. We also had to remediate privately.

At HB, it's been amazing. While it is true, they do not explicitly offer dyslexia services, neither did the neighborhood school. The IS at HB is amazing. The school is teaching my second to advocate for themselves which, at neighborhood school, I had to do it.

That said, my second child has an autistic friend who also got into HB and their family decided not to send them b/c their neighborhood school seemed to offer better supports but since that is not our struggle, I can't comment further.

Happy to answer questions further while remaining anon.

That said,

Not surprising that HBW worked better for you, compared WL and HBW for instance.

Both schools have about 15% of students with disabilities.

But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students.

Further, WL has more FARMS at 30%, while HBW is 12%, which likely reduces poverty-related demands on staff.

With that mix, its much more personalized services for IEP holders.

I don't understand this, can you please explain? "But the ratio of IS is different. WL has about 1 IS : 100 students. HBW is 1 IS : 70 students."

If IS is Instructional studies, WL doesn't have 100 person IS classes and HB doesn't have 70 student IS classes.

Its the ratio of student population to instructional support staff.

where are you seeing this? also, HB chooses to to use its staff allocatins for counselors, this gives them slightly lower rations for teachers. but then there are no counselors and sometimes that's not good for students with disabilities. so up side to HB, better ration of staff to students, downside of HB zero counselors to suppor them, which means they are going to have to rely on other staff more