Pls recommend school for very sensitive GT kid...

[Anonymous]

We live in D.C. and my son, while doing well academically, is fragile emotionally. We're starting to tour schools and would appreciate suggestions on places where there is small classes that support social/emotional/nurturing. Of course, we'd also like a stimulating curriculum. Where should we be looking? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

*are

[Anonymous]

St. Patrick's, McLean (my DS who goes to McLean is gifted, and they have met his needs, but it isn't as rigorous as some other schools. However, for individual attention and support, it can't be beat). I'm not as familiar with Burgundy Farm, but that might be a good fit as well.

I assume you are also getting your DS professional help.

[Anonymous]

Field School

[Anonymous]

age/grade?

[Anonymous]

age 8/entering grade 4

[Anonymous]

montessori is something to consider for GT kids. my son is 7 (grade 2) and is doing well at one. no idea if he is GT but he's clearly far ahead and much more focused on academics/work than many of his peers and this works well in a montessori environment. he's also "fragile" in some ways, a bit of a perfectionist i think. gets frustrated...

[Anonymous]

McLean school. I've posted before about it, so search DCUM and McLean. We had a terrific middle school experience there, although I have to say the teachers were not as nurturing as I had hoped when it came to classroom demands and homework. That being said, the school does give lots of positive thumbs up and awards for everything. Honor roll one year even included kids with straight B-. Small classes. No bullying tolerated. Cliques are broken up. Students are the priority, not the teacher's egos. However the school is searching for a newprincipal and a new middle school head so there might be tumult for the next few years. It's also very expensive, and far away for you, although it does provide a limited bus service (for which you have to pay for on top of tuition).

I think your better choice, being in D.C., is Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria. It is a fabulous college prep school for kids with minor learning disabilities (much like McLean). Much smaller than McLean School. No behavioral problems. No bullying allowed. Tiny classes. Fabulous faculty. No buses but the commute is not at all bad for the hours in which you will have to drive. C.A. is smaller than McLean so everyone knows each other and the kids get lots of personal support. It's also less expensive than McLean. I think C.A. is geared more for kids with minor cases of ADHD or executive functioning disorders, but may be also appropriate for people like your son. Definitely worth a look. And a much easier drive for you than McLean.

[Anonymous]

Possibly Lowell, does really focus on social curriculum and is aggressively watching out for and educating about bullying. Small classes, warm teachers, generally kind and accepting kids. That said, no specific "gifted" curriculum, but flexible, and kids from Lowell do often go onto schools such as Maret, Sidwell, GDS and are academically-prepared. I do not believe that Burke or Field starts before 6th grade so they would not be options for a 4rth grader.

[Anonymous]

Sheridan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sheridan

Sheridan is a lovely school but with large classes.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Langley - they focus on individual needs and differentiate in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Heights School for Boys

[Anonymous]

How selective is the Commonwealth Academy?

[Anonymous]

This wouldn't help you for next year, but come 6th grade look at St. Anselm's Abbey. It sounds like it would be a wonderful fit for your son. We've known a couple of boys who also fit this description who have thrived there.

I'm surprised by the Heights recommendation, unless it was meant to be sarcastic. It is a good school, but I think not a great fit for a very sensitive GT kid.