Non-Catholic family applying to GC Ryken and SJC Benilde - any chance?

[Anonymous]

Someone commented in a more recent thread that there is an HSPT “cutoff” for these schools. First I’ve heard of a minimum threshold… does anyone have further insights?

[Anonymous]

We have a freshman in the SJC Benilde program this year. There is a mix of kids from a whole variety of schools and religious backgrounds. If your child makes a clear case for the program in his application and the testing (both HSPT and neuropsych) shows potential, your kid has a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a freshman in the SJC Benilde program this year. There is a mix of kids from a whole variety of schools and religious backgrounds. If your child makes a clear case for the program in his application and the testing (both HSPT and neuropsych) shows potential, your kid has a shot.

What does show potential mean? Above average WISC scores?

[Anonymous]

OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

[Anonymous]

Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a freshman in the SJC Benilde program this year. There is a mix of kids from a whole variety of schools and religious backgrounds. If your child makes a clear case for the program in his application and the testing (both HSPT and neuropsych) shows potential, your kid has a shot.

What does show potential mean? Above average WISC scores?

I think the point is that your child is at least on grade level. This is not a program for kids that are behind or not looking for a college prep environment. They have to think they will succeed (with the extra supports they provide).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

Congrats! We are looking at both for next year. Can you comment on the differences you saw with learning fit and style from the two programs and why one would be a better fit than the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

Congrats! We are looking at both for next year. Can you comment on the differences you saw with learning fit and style from the two programs and why one would be a better fit than the other?

Benilde seems to focus primarily on executive function support with a “Benilde” period each day to help students plan and organize. There is also access to math and writing support during this time. Students attend classes with rest of student population (standard, honors, or AP). Benilde students start out with fewer classes the first school year: they a take history class in the summer and start a two-year Spanish program sophomore year.

GC Ryken has special Ryken classes in core courses with built-in accommodations and multi-sensory instruction. Students then transition into standard, honors, AP and/or IB classes over time. Our impression is that Ryken has a larger share of 2E and dyslexia students compared to SJC, which aligns to DC’s profile. We also like that Ryken offers a 3-year foreign language track with could help with college admissions versus 2-years at SJC.

Both seem like great options overall, and the program directors have been great at discussing our child’s particular strengths and needs with us. I found that it was necessary to have more in-depth conversations to understand the programs well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

Congrats! We are looking at both for next year. Can you comment on the differences you saw with learning fit and style from the two programs and why one would be a better fit than the other?

Benilde seems to focus primarily on executive function support with a “Benilde” period each day to help students plan and organize. There is also access to math and writing support during this time. Students attend classes with rest of student population (standard, honors, or AP). Benilde students start out with fewer classes the first school year: they a take history class in the summer and start a two-year Spanish program sophomore year.

GC Ryken has special Ryken classes in core courses with built-in accommodations and multi-sensory instruction. Students then transition into standard, honors, AP and/or IB classes over time. Our impression is that Ryken has a larger share of 2E and dyslexia students compared to SJC, which aligns to DC’s profile. We also like that Ryken offers a 3-year foreign language track with could help with college admissions versus 2-years at SJC.

Both seem like great options overall, and the program directors have been great at discussing our child’s particular strengths and needs with us. I found that it was necessary to have more in-depth conversations to understand the programs well.

FWIW There are alot of 2E kids at SJC, my DC is one of them, but most of them are not in Benilde. SJC has enough supports in place that a lot of 2E kids succeed there (often in honors courses) with standard accomodations and by accessing the math/writing centers and tutors that are available to all students. Executive planning support is also available to all students who ask for it (through the student support office).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

Congrats! We are looking at both for next year. Can you comment on the differences you saw with learning fit and style from the two programs and why one would be a better fit than the other?

Benilde seems to focus primarily on executive function support with a “Benilde” period each day to help students plan and organize. There is also access to math and writing support during this time. Students attend classes with rest of student population (standard, honors, or AP). Benilde students start out with fewer classes the first school year: they a take history class in the summer and start a two-year Spanish program sophomore year.

GC Ryken has special Ryken classes in core courses with built-in accommodations and multi-sensory instruction. Students then transition into standard, honors, AP and/or IB classes over time. Our impression is that Ryken has a larger share of 2E and dyslexia students compared to SJC, which aligns to DC’s profile. We also like that Ryken offers a 3-year foreign language track with could help with college admissions versus 2-years at SJC.

Both seem like great options overall, and the program directors have been great at discussing our child’s particular strengths and needs with us. I found that it was necessary to have more in-depth conversations to understand the programs well.

This is what we thought as well. We also liked that Ryken provided a 4 week summer program and not just a week of orientation like at Benilde and that they do placement testing over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

Congrats! We are looking at both for next year. Can you comment on the differences you saw with learning fit and style from the two programs and why one would be a better fit than the other?

Benilde seems to focus primarily on executive function support with a “Benilde” period each day to help students plan and organize. There is also access to math and writing support during this time. Students attend classes with rest of student population (standard, honors, or AP). Benilde students start out with fewer classes the first school year: they a take history class in the summer and start a two-year Spanish program sophomore year.

GC Ryken has special Ryken classes in core courses with built-in accommodations and multi-sensory instruction. Students then transition into standard, honors, AP and/or IB classes over time. Our impression is that Ryken has a larger share of 2E and dyslexia students compared to SJC, which aligns to DC’s profile. We also like that Ryken offers a 3-year foreign language track with could help with college admissions versus 2-years at SJC.

Both seem like great options overall, and the program directors have been great at discussing our child’s particular strengths and needs with us. I found that it was necessary to have more in-depth conversations to understand the programs well.

FWIW There are alot of 2E kids at SJC, my DC is one of them, but most of them are not in Benilde. SJC has enough supports in place that a lot of 2E kids succeed there (often in honors courses) with standard accomodations and by accessing the math/writing centers and tutors that are available to all students. Executive planning support is also available to all students who ask for it (through the student support office).

PP with 2E student at SJC - would you mind sharing which LDs they have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

Congrats! We are looking at both for next year. Can you comment on the differences you saw with learning fit and style from the two programs and why one would be a better fit than the other?

Benilde seems to focus primarily on executive function support with a “Benilde” period each day to help students plan and organize. There is also access to math and writing support during this time. Students attend classes with rest of student population (standard, honors, or AP). Benilde students start out with fewer classes the first school year: they a take history class in the summer and start a two-year Spanish program sophomore year.

GC Ryken has special Ryken classes in core courses with built-in accommodations and multi-sensory instruction. Students then transition into standard, honors, AP and/or IB classes over time. Our impression is that Ryken has a larger share of 2E and dyslexia students compared to SJC, which aligns to DC’s profile. We also like that Ryken offers a 3-year foreign language track with could help with college admissions versus 2-years at SJC.

Both seem like great options overall, and the program directors have been great at discussing our child’s particular strengths and needs with us. I found that it was necessary to have more in-depth conversations to understand the programs well.

FWIW There are alot of 2E kids at SJC, my DC is one of them, but most of them are not in Benilde. SJC has enough supports in place that a lot of 2E kids succeed there (often in honors courses) with standard accomodations and by accessing the math/writing centers and tutors that are available to all students. Executive planning support is also available to all students who ask for it (through the student support office).

PP with 2E student at SJC - would you mind sharing which LDs they have?

I can't because it would identify them, but your question is a good one. Perhaps this will help - most of the kids I know who are 2E and not in Benilde have mild/moderate ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP coming back to say we are thrilled that DC was accepted into both programs! Leaning towards GC Ryken as it seems to be best fit for student’s learning profile and academic interests.

Congrats! We are looking at both for next year. Can you comment on the differences you saw with learning fit and style from the two programs and why one would be a better fit than the other?

Benilde seems to focus primarily on executive function support with a “Benilde” period each day to help students plan and organize. There is also access to math and writing support during this time. Students attend classes with rest of student population (standard, honors, or AP). Benilde students start out with fewer classes the first school year: they a take history class in the summer and start a two-year Spanish program sophomore year.

GC Ryken has special Ryken classes in core courses with built-in accommodations and multi-sensory instruction. Students then transition into standard, honors, AP and/or IB classes over time. Our impression is that Ryken has a larger share of 2E and dyslexia students compared to SJC, which aligns to DC’s profile. We also like that Ryken offers a 3-year foreign language track with could help with college admissions versus 2-years at SJC.

Both seem like great options overall, and the program directors have been great at discussing our child’s particular strengths and needs with us. I found that it was necessary to have more in-depth conversations to understand the programs well.

FWIW There are alot of 2E kids at SJC, my DC is one of them, but most of them are not in Benilde. SJC has enough supports in place that a lot of 2E kids succeed there (often in honors courses) with standard accomodations and by accessing the math/writing centers and tutors that are available to all students. Executive planning support is also available to all students who ask for it (through the student support office).

PP with 2E student at SJC - would you mind sharing which LDs they have?

I can't because it would identify them, but your question is a good one. Perhaps this will help - most of the kids I know who are 2E and not in Benilde have mild/moderate ADHD.

Helpful, thanks!