Private Options for Kid with ADHD / low screen use

[Anonymous]

To OP: kudos to you for looking out for your son.

I will add that I have had kids in regular private (parochial) and now classical no-tech private. I will say that teachers in the no-tech environment have a realistic and more patient understanding of children's behavior. My son was routinely excoriated in school by teachers who just didn't like little boys and the silly behavior that comes with them. Just constantly being nagged by some grouchy, joyless teacher that didn't actually want to be around kids. Teachers who seek out and stay at no-tech schools seem to enjoy children more in my experience.

[Anonymous]

McLean School?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean School?

McLean is very, very tech heavy.

[Anonymous]

Schools for kids with learning differences likely are more tech heavy vs less tech heavy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools for kids with learning differences likely are more tech heavy vs less tech heavy.

Smaller schools are also less likely to have the considerable library needed for students to do realistic research for all kinds of projects. The wealth of material they can access free online literally can't be matched by a school library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools for kids with learning differences likely are more tech heavy vs less tech heavy.

Smaller schools are also less likely to have the considerable library needed for students to do realistic research for all kinds of projects. The wealth of material they can access free online literally can't be matched by a school library.

A couple thoughts:

(1) You can always take your kid to the public library for this. My parents did this for some of my elementary school reports.
(2) Children aren’t doing groundbreaking research in elementary school anyway so a more limited set of texts that are used well is just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools for kids with learning differences likely are more tech heavy vs less tech heavy.

Smaller schools are also less likely to have the considerable library needed for students to do realistic research for all kinds of projects. The wealth of material they can access free online literally can't be matched by a school library.

A couple thoughts:

(1) You can always take your kid to the public library for this. My parents did this for some of my elementary school reports.
(2) Children aren’t doing groundbreaking research in elementary school anyway so a more limited set of texts that are used well is just fine.

OP said they are looking for 6-12. I agree little ones won't know the difference. But HS projects often involve searching for reliable, authoritative sources from many different fields and institutions online.

As someone who did an extensive MA thesis from paper sources long ago (with access to Harvard's library), I wouldn't try to do that today when I could survey much more primary and secondary material online. That's the skill that HSers have to acquire to succeed in college (where libraries will be cut back hard along with humanities departments).

[Anonymous]

My kid has been able to access so much more in terms of primary sources and academic journals by searching online than I had access to through my big 3 library’s hardcopy and microfiche resources, even supplementing with the public library. It’s amazing what they can find now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking for an option for our DS with ADHD who is currently struggling at MCPS.

Main thing we need is a low screen environment- he just plus games all day at MCPS on a Chromebook.

We need a school that is understanding and accommodating of his ADHD and offers a nurturing Low pressure environment where he can thrive academically.

He is hi IQ and advanced ability. He just needs someone to engage with him and not leave him on screens through out the day.

Lots of outdoor time and green space would be great.

Any tips on finding this “special” school- websites, advisors/ consultants etc?

+1
We have a DD with similar profile. Worried about MCPS MS where students take their Chromebook class to class….

[Anonymous]

Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria, no question. It completely turned around my DD who was not doing well in public. As in she got into UVA from C/A. We carpooled down from NOVA. Other families carpooled from MD. It is worth it. Go tour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most private schools limit the screens.

+1
Go on tours and see what is a fit. Also, be mindful of commute time. What doesn't seem far once will seem further twice a day for several years. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria, no question. It completely turned around my DD who was not doing well in public. As in she got into UVA from C/A. We carpooled down from NOVA. Other families carpooled from MD. It is worth it. Go tour.

Wow cool to see a school focusing specifically on supporting adhd students

[Anonymous]

Fun fact: many of the world's richest technocrats, e.g. Mark Zuckerberg, choose to send their kids to schools with the strictest no tech policies out there. Trust the experts!

[Anonymous]

Burke, Field, Parkmont, maybe Barrie

[Anonymous]

Waldorf is very rigid regarding any learning differences, neurodivergence, anything that requires accommodation. They just believe that children will "get there" at their own pace.