Are there any TRULY inclusive privates in area?

[Anonymous]

...meaning welcome kids from varying cultures/races, same gender families AND kids with special needs/disabilities--even physical?

[Anonymous]

Are you serious? Do you understand what you are asking? Kids with special needs need a program that is able to meet their needs on an individual basis. That these kids need specialized attention is why they are rarely "mainstreamed" because a school that can/does educate an "average needs" child does not have the resources to devote to children who have "special needs." Its not a cost-effective model. And, while it is a wonderful idea from a social perspective it would probably ultimately fail both types of children.

[Anonymous]

Physical disabilities that are not too serious are accepted at many schools. Wheel chair access is not a problem at schools that I have seen in MC. Academic problems are best handled by the public schools. GLB families would probably not fit in at most religious schools, but Quakers and Episcopalians tend to be more tolerant.

[Anonymous]

Yes, NCRC. Too bad it ends at pre-K...

[Anonymous]

NCRC was not handicapped accessible so it could not accommodate many children that were physically disabled. They are remodeling now.

[Anonymous]

Lowell. See the thread on GLB families.

[Anonymous]

St. Columba's goes as far as it can in accomodating everone, including keeping spots open just for LD

[Anonymous]

I don't remember Lowell having an elevator. Edmund Burke does.

[Anonymous]

Lowell has an elevator and is inclusive. I know there are a few kids with physical and developmental disabilities, and these are just obvious ones, so I am sure there are more that I don't know.

[Anonymous]

My ds is in private school, and I would like to see kids with physical disabilities at there.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure what you are getting at with your really broad question there. Most schools are inclusive. Special needs doesn't even belong on your laundry list because its a category that goes to the heart of what schools do -- educate children. If a child needs a different kind of attention, there are mainstream schools that will provide some supports and special ed schools that will provide all kinds of supports. As the mother of a child with a developmental disability and a child without, I wouldn't want both my children educated at the same school -- if it fit the needs of one, it wouldn't fit the needs of the other.

[Anonymous]

I wish I could post this on the entire DCU forum.

This is a silly question. If you want a school that is PC obsessed and overly inclusive then attend your local public school. By there very nature, most of the independent schools are not "inclusive." With few exceptions, they are competitive to attend and look for students who fit there teaching style and mission. I would not want a school to be all things to all people bc it necessarily loses any special quality or distinction.

So, if I were you, I'd take an honest assessment of my child, my family and what is important to you and your family in education. Once you've done that, I would look at the wide variety of schools and programs, visit the schools, get your child tested or professionally assessed, and then apply to a broad groups of schools and programs. Lastly, once you are accepted, ask tough questions, visit current and former students and their families who may be similarly situated. Only by doing this can you make the determination of whats best for your child and your family.

Finally, I would not ask this forum or any other anonymous forum for guidance or suggestions. There are too may lies, deceptions, falsehoods and rumors posted to be able to get a true sense of what's good or bad.

[Anonymous]

OP, ignore that PP's and their rude responses. I am a mom of a child with a physical disability. (And to the poster who replied that kids like my belong in other educational (special) environments, obviously you have NO experience with kids with disabilities. My kid is cognitively gifted, and belongs (and is thriving) in a regular classroom with kids just like yours. It is a shame that in this so-called 'progressive', 'highly educated' metropolitan area, that adults are so blind to the physically challenged. It is people like that poster who scare me when I think of my child growing up in this world. People's closed-minded prejudgements scare me far more than his actual physical limitations. So sad.

[Anonymous]

I agree that some of these responses are sad, closed minded, with a blatant, "It's not my problem" hint to them. Welcome to the REAL metro D.C.--unfortunately! Perhaps when the democrats take over, the conservatives will move on. Anyway, I'd add St. Patrick's to your list if you are seeking a true, inclusive enviroment. And I agree--a child with a physical disability should NOT be confused with a child with a learning disability, or an emotional one, or a global developmental one. There are tons of kids who are physically challenged, but are light years ahead of their peers in the academic areas. They definitely belong in mainstream schools--public or private.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP with the child with a developmental disability and i hope you didn't think i was referring to children with physical disabilities. I think there is a huge difference between to two and i would expect that most of the schools around here are inclusive of kids with such disabilities, if they are accessible.

I don't see any of the previous posts referring to educating kids with physical disabilities in separate environments, so maybe you were referring to my post? My son is cognitively gifted as well, but he is also autistic and there is no way that a school that is right for my neurotypical daughter is right for my autistic son (who is in a mainstream school, just not the same mainstream school). So please don't accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about. trust me, I do.