Questions about Mclean School

[Anonymous]

I'm struggling to decide where to send my twins for kindergarten, DS1 who has some challenges that seem primarily of the ADD variety (not hyperactive) and DS2 who is "typically developing." Both have been accepted at Mclean and another more traditional private school. Mclean seems likely to be the better fit for DS1, but not sure about DS2. Obviously I need to decide what school is the best fit for each child, but I also need to consider the impact on them of sending them to different schools. I am really loathe to send the twins to different schools (it makes me cry to think about it, actually).
So, for the questions: Do any "typically developing" kids go to Mclean? How frequently do kids switch from Mclean to another school before high school and where do they typically go? Because I've been looking at Mclean based primarily on the needs of DS1 I think of it as more of special-needs sort-of school, which may not be accurate. Is it perceived as such? If so, do people feel that that perception holds kids back if they decide to apply out to other (for want of a better term) more mainstream schools? If anyone has had twins in the same class at Mclean, how did that go?
Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Yes there are typically developing kids there who benefit from the smaller class size. Kids are there for all different reasons.

Not sure what the percentage is for kids who stay. Schools kids go to after (if they don't stay) include St. Andrews, Bullis, Gonzaga, Landon, Madeira, GDS (only know of 1 kid), Field.

GL with you decision.

[Anonymous]

Mclean is perceived as a school for kids who have mild learning issues. Many kids do switch out of Mclean at 3rd grade, 6th grade and 8th grade.

The current HS is pretty small. Since past 8th grades have had about 50-60 kids and the HS classes each have around 25, you can see that many kids have switched out.

Academically the curriculum is ok but since you did not mention the other school, it is hard to judge against that. Not sure how big the K will be next year but in past years it has been small. With twins, there may not be a huge opportunity for them to expand there social circle.

If you see that your child that does well and can handle the other kids school, it might give you more of advantage of getting the other twin in.

[Anonymous]

Many privates today work with children that have learning issues related to ADD. They all recognize that many children have challenges related to this.


Will the other school work with you to put the supports in place that your other child needs to be successful in school? Can an outside tutor that specializes in ADD kids supplement?

[Anonymous]

At this age, i would err on the side of safety, because it would be not fun next year if the one child gets counseled out and the other is doing well at the other school. After even one more year, you can re-apply to 1st grades elsewhere if you think your child with ADD has done well enough at McLean that you feel comfortable DC would succeed elsewhere. Otherwise, I'd even give it another couple of years. Someone once said to me that up until third grade is about how to learn, and then after that is about learning subjects. I think this is true, and I think a safer choice in the early years can educate you when your DC with ADD is ready to move on - if he is. If at McLean you see the typically developing child just needs more of something, you can always switch that DC out first. We have had a DC with some minor issues and I have found the better safe than sorry approach to have worked and be least stressful for us, even though it has felt many years that ok, half a year here has been enough, now ready to move on. A much better place to be than, ok, a half year here, how will we ever get through another half year, and apply out at the same time, and what do we do with the other child. Too messy.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I'll be observing classes at both schools and discussing the issues with the schools. But, for the reasons expressed by the PP, we are most likely to send DS1 to Mclean and are struggling with whether to send DS2 there, too.

[Anonymous]

I would send each to the best fit school for that child. Your typically developing child may be frustrated with the teaching methods in McLean's K class, while your ADD child may really need that support and structure. Best scenario: after a year or two your ADD child develops strategies and self-control, and then applies to the twin's school, where s/he gets a sibling boost in admissions.

[Anonymous]

McLean is not exactly a special needs school. About half the kids have a diagnosis but many just benefit from the small size and individualization. And it is very common for kids to cycle through there, coming and going, even mid-year. Our DC is probably a lifer because its a really good fit but we've seen kids coming and going throughout his years there.

I have met two sets of twins where one was at the school and one wasn't. The first set had a child who was at McLean for only a year or two and I don't know the reason they left, but perhaps the separation wasn't working for the child or the family. The other set has a child in DC's class and I think it has worked out well for that family. Interestingly I can't think of a set of twins currently at the school. This tells me that it is more typical for families to split their kids up than to send them both, though my guess is that this is a question the admissions office could help you with.

One thing to think about is that the kindergarten is generally very small so if you send both children they will be very much together. This may or may not be a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Friends in situation similar to yours have sent the kids to separate schools, one at McLean one in public. If I read them correctly they are glad that only the one who specifically needs McLean style is attending there.

[Anonymous]

There is a set of boy/boy twins in the lower school (one of the higher grades). There are also kids there whose twin is at a different school. Keep in mind that the k classes at McLean have been really small in recent years. The size of the grades goes up each year thru middle school and then appears to go down again in high school. You need to really look at what each of your ds' needs to determine whether your child with issues would do well at the other school. Your child without issues may be fine at McLean depending on the size of next year's incoming k class. There may even be siblings of older McLean students in the class. I will say that the new lower school head is very good and very receptive to parent concerns. I would call Bobby and find out what they would do if your ds2 goes there and is bored academically or socially. Don't rely on what admissions says. Call Bobby.