What do you think of these schools for kids w/needs?

[Anonymous]

We are being encouraged to finally 'mainstream' our child for kindergarten next year. Of course, we are concerned, but are willing to give it a try--but NOT in a public school classroom that has 24-28 kids! Does anyone have any experience w/these schools for a kid like ours who needs a small classroom (no more than 15-18 kids) some re-direction for mild ADD (not the hyper type, the distractable type), and some fine motor delays, but is academically very strong: Lowell, St. Patrick's, McLean, Green Acres...Feel free to add to our list as well. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Mclean. My son goes there and is academically challenged but also gets what he needs. It has a wonderful spirit and you can relax, they know how to teach to each child.

Be careful about Lowell. It can be fine for a lot of kids because they do try to be inclusive but it is also somewhat unstructured and typically kids with these kinds of issues need a lot of structure.

[Anonymous]

RE McLean--Is it very structured? Any unstructured aspects about it? My son would not fair well in a school that is too rigid. Thx.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't say rigid -- they teach to each child. But they do set clear expectations and use rewards and punishments.

[Anonymous]

Is McLean really that academically challenging though?

[Anonymous]

Well my son was a fluent reader before he got there and is in general fairly advanced academically and he has been challenged just fine.

[Anonymous]

Check also on Burgundy Farm ... the class size is small, the teachers very supportive and nurturing, speech and language specialist is available on campus (for extra fee, unfortunately), and very free, open environment but also very structured schedule with solid routines to help small kids feel comfortable. My child has the exact issues you list (mild ADD with no hyperactivity, small motor skills weakness, plus speech delay) and he is doing really well so far!

[Anonymous]

Do you know how many kids are in Kindergarten, then going forward into 1st? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you know how many kids are in Kindergarten, then going forward into 1st? Thanks.

Not sure if your question was directed to Burgundy or McLean. I believe the latter expands by a full class size for grade 1.

[Anonymous]

At Burgundy, there are two K classes of 16 each (each with 2 fulltime teachers plus coop parents). These two classes are combined to make one first grade class of approximately 30 (a few kids move or go to different schools). The first grade class sounds large, but there are 3 full-time teachers. The kids are divided into 3 groups of 10 for all their academics, which are taught in 3 separate adjoining rooms -- so class size is small and distraction from other groups eliminated. The kids rotate from room to room for their reading, writing, and math with the same 10 kids. Then the kids do other activities in larger groups of 15 (sort of like homerooms) such as PE, music, art, and morning meeting. Then (are you confused yet?!), the whole group does things together such as recess, lunch, Friday PE, assemblies, etc. so that they feel like one cohesive class. The parents find this a little confusing at the beginning, but the kids understand it and do well almost immediately.

The kids spend a lot of time outside ... daily recess, PE three times a week, lunch outside weather permitting, walking across campus to their "specials", once a week schoolwide assembly at outside amphitheatre weather permitting, school work occassionally done in outside adjoining areas of each classroom, etc. The reason I mention this is that my mildly ADD (no hyperactivity) boy is really helped by getting outside regularly throughout the day -- movement of those muscles and fresh air really help him clear his mind! And going from one classroom building to another is not accomplished in a structured, everyone line up sort of way. The kids are free to hop, skip, hold hands with a friend, run (the boys!) or whatever with minimum supervision ... they all arrive at their destination on time and refreshed. Amazing what just 1-2 minutes of freedom here and there can do to lift a child's spirit!

[Anonymous]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[Anonymous]

I was told that St. Patricks screened out kids with issues.

[Anonymous]

I think if they were honest, MOST privates attempt to screen out kids with any special needs. But when you are looking at 3.5 years old kids in a play group ... certain issues are not always apparent even to the kids own parents! Mild ADD with no hyperactivity is difficult to detect until a bit later on. Language issues can also be difficult to assess just through interaction ... a child who is having retrieval issues could appear to be a bit shy or thoughtful about providing responses. So the question becomes, how much support do such kids get at different schools once these types of mild needs become apparent.

[Anonymous]

Very true. The support given (and willingness to support) is the question.

[Anonymous]

In my experience as a private school teacher, many private school teachers ARE NOT trained to handle kids with special needs, nor do they have a system in place to help these children adequately. TRULY research the school, you could MUCH better off in a public school.