Can you tell me about the middle schools in Arlington?

[Anonymous]

How is DHMS for IEPs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s middle school.

Someone once told me you can pay for it to suck or let taxpayers pay for it to suck.

We are at Swanson and have a very high functioning kid (executive function wise). He’s doing well. Lots of friends. Not a rich kid crowd if you care about that.

We went private and our DD had an amazing middle school experience. I mean she is still a surly teen, but at least she’s not a despondently bored surly teen

Yep. This is what we did too and it was worth it. Still have a surly teen though!

Which privates do you recommend for middle school that are in/close to Arlington?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your child have a 504 for adhd/anxiety? If not and you are looking to go that route, avoid WMS. They were pretty awful to us in that process for the same thing, with a full private neuropsychological report, plus a psychiatrist letter. And I am also a special education teacher in FCPS.

NP. Are you willing to share more about this? DC will be there next year with a 504.

If you already have the 504 it will probably be fine. We were trying to get a 504 in 7th and they didn’t want to give extended time on testing (for a student with documented test anxiety) because they were getting good grades. Even though both reports recommended that specifically. We were able to get it on high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is DHMS for IEPs?

Good!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking to move within Arlington County. We can rent or buy. Budget is an issue. My daughter will be coming from Campbell Elementary (an option school). She has anxiety and ADHD. Slower to warm up socially. The small size of Campbell has been really good for her. I think all of the middle schools are huge. Is any one of them better than another for a child like my daughter?

Hamm is probably the best for kids with IEPs. Kenmore is pretty good too. Does your DD have an IEP or 504 plan?

Avoid Williamsburg like the plague. Horrible for kids who need extra support. Horrible.

Not hearing good things lately about Swanson in other areas - bullying, behavior - but with a leadership change, maybe things will turn around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to move within Arlington County. We can rent or buy. Budget is an issue. My daughter will be coming from Campbell Elementary (an option school). She has anxiety and ADHD. Slower to warm up socially. The small size of Campbell has been really good for her. I think all of the middle schools are huge. Is any one of them better than another for a child like my daughter?

Hamm is probably the best for kids with IEPs. Kenmore is pretty good too. Does your DD have an IEP or 504 plan?

Avoid Williamsburg like the plague. Horrible for kids who need extra support. Horrible.

Not hearing good things lately about Swanson in other areas - bullying, behavior - but with a leadership change, maybe things will turn around.

Everything you’re hearing about Swanson relates to a group of kids in one particular grade. Just the (bad) luck of the draw. Those kids will soon be coming to a high school near you, though, so prepare now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to move within Arlington County. We can rent or buy. Budget is an issue. My daughter will be coming from Campbell Elementary (an option school). She has anxiety and ADHD. Slower to warm up socially. The small size of Campbell has been really good for her. I think all of the middle schools are huge. Is any one of them better than another for a child like my daughter?

Hamm is probably the best for kids with IEPs. Kenmore is pretty good too. Does your DD have an IEP or 504 plan?

Avoid Williamsburg like the plague. Horrible for kids who need extra support. Horrible.

Not hearing good things lately about Swanson in other areas - bullying, behavior - but with a leadership change, maybe things will turn around.

Everything you’re hearing about Swanson relates to a group of kids in one particular grade. Just the (bad) luck of the draw. Those kids will soon be coming to a high school near you, though, so prepare now!

And good luck WMS- there’s some 5th grade boys with behavioral issues not being addressed at jamestown and discovery. Subs seeing jobs in those classes: new phone, who this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to move within Arlington County. We can rent or buy. Budget is an issue. My daughter will be coming from Campbell Elementary (an option school). She has anxiety and ADHD. Slower to warm up socially. The small size of Campbell has been really good for her. I think all of the middle schools are huge. Is any one of them better than another for a child like my daughter?

Hamm is probably the best for kids with IEPs. Kenmore is pretty good too. Does your DD have an IEP or 504 plan?

Avoid Williamsburg like the plague. Horrible for kids who need extra support. Horrible.

Not hearing good things lately about Swanson in other areas - bullying, behavior - but with a leadership change, maybe things will turn around.

Everything you’re hearing about Swanson relates to a group of kids in one particular grade. Just the (bad) luck of the draw. Those kids will soon be coming to a high school near you, though, so prepare now!

And good luck WMS- there’s some 5th grade boys with behavioral issues not being addressed at jamestown and discovery. Subs seeing jobs in those classes: new phone, who this?

It's not just Jamestown and Discovery. I'm a 5th grade boy parent at a different APS school. It's been a bad year.