Seeking a list of schools appropriate for a child with ADHD who needs small classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm aware of McLean, Maddux and Diener and Kingsbury. What mainstream schools are out there in Montgomery County or DC that would be one to look at for an adhd child who needs small class size and structure. I had heard that Bullis can now accomodate children who need more than the average child, but I've only heard this (no real experience myself).

You come off as pretty demanding and lacking grace. I'll tell you how I found the best fit (for this year anyway) for my ADHD child and I will tell you it didn't involved getting someone else to do the work for me. Every ADHD kid is different. There are types of ADHD, and a myriad of factors that impact best fit. You know what I did? I got up off my butt and visited a whole lot of schools multiple times so I could know what fit my child best. I started two years before I needed a school and I visited 20'schools! Yes, 20. Some of them multiple times. Some of them I fled from. I did due diligence because my child's welfare means the world to me. We applied to mainstream and more specialized private and DC was accepted to both. Then we made a decision knowing that we don't have a manic crystal ball. How about doing the same for your own kid?

*magic not manic!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maddux, Kingsbury and Deiner will have kids with greater challenges, which may or may not be a good fit for your DC. These are not mainstream schools.

This is absolutely true. Let's say your kid needs the standard academic curriculum, but just in an environment free from distractions with fewer kids in the room. None of the ED schools above would be appropriate, as the kids who exhibit extreme behaviors will be even more distracting that a normal class size at a traditional school.

Check out Newton School (although it is far from MoCo and DC). Basically, grade level kids in small classes with an emphasis on movement (fabulous gym).

Former Newton parent who is now out of state. A dev ped was amazed at the difference in academic test scores for my dc before and after Newton. Very rigorous curriculum, small classes, excellent field trips and lots of movement built into the day. The only negative is the location for those in DC and MD.

[Anonymous]

NPS & St. Patrick's. I've also heard great things about St. Andrew's, Bullis & Landon for ADHD kids.

Having a small class and lots of one-on-one time has been very beneficial for our ADHD child. There is no way he'd be performing so well if he was in public today.

[Anonymous]

Also McLean but I would only do that for 2-3 years due to the size and social limitations.

[Anonymous]

GDS has its roots as a school for kids with special needs and has gone a little more mainstream but still specializes in SN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maddux, Kingsbury and Deiner will have kids with greater challenges, which may or may not be a good fit for your DC. These are not mainstream schools.

This is absolutely true. Let's say your kid needs the standard academic curriculum, but just in an environment free from distractions with fewer kids in the room. None of the ED schools above would be appropriate, as the kids who exhibit extreme behaviors will be even more distracting that a normal class size at a traditional school.

You do not know of what you speak. Have you ever observed a Maddux class? If you haven't you should. I was most startled (in a positive way) when I visited and before my child spent 3 years there. There are not outbursts going on in the classroom, no yelling or kids running around at Maddux. You could hear a pen drop in the classrooms. There is a safe, comfortable feeling of calm in the place and in each small class of about 12-14 with two teachers.

[Anonymous]

Serious question - what type of ADHD and medicated or not?

I think the answers to those questions either narrow or expand your scope of schools.

[Anonymous]

PP, be kind.
OP is trying to get other parents input here. As a parent who has visited many SN and typical schools, I still benefit from hearing from other parents who have their SN kids in schools with small classes. This forum gives you plenty of information that you can't get from schools tours and websites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, be kind.
OP is trying to get other parents input here. As a parent who has visited many SN and typical schools, I still benefit from hearing from other parents who have their SN kids in schools with small classes. This forum gives you plenty of information that you can't get from schools tours and websites.

Agree and it will be helpful if the grade is mentioned as well as class size.

[Anonymous]

There are kids with ADHD at every independent school in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also McLean but I would only do that for 2-3 years due to the size and social limitations.

When you mention size do you consider it small? Do t ant to make assumptions. If you left McLean after a few years, where did your child land? Safely?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also McLean but I would only do that for 2-3 years due to the size and social limitations.

When you mention size do you consider it small? Do t ant to make assumptions. If you left McLean after a few years, where did your child land? Safely?

I assume the PP is referring to 11th and 12th grade. The middle school, grades 5-8, is big but with small class sizes.


I am surprised by the poster who recommended GDS. That's not a school I would think of it all in conjunction with the original post.

[Anonymous]

Also, I would definitely not recommend the Heights, as well, they don't believe that the alpabet diseases (ADHD, ODD, ODD,GAD) exist and there is no nurse on staff. It's Lord of the FLies. I would never recommend it -yes, from personal experience - for an SN child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also McLean but I would only do that for 2-3 years due to the size and social limitations.

When you mention size do you consider it small? Do t ant to make assumptions. If you left McLean after a few years, where did your child land? Safely?

Kids have left McLean and gone to Bullis, Connelly School of Holy Child, Jewish Day School, St. Johns, Field School, St. Andrews. My DD knew one girl who left to go to Holton Arms but don't know of any others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm aware of McLean, Maddux and Diener and Kingsbury. What mainstream schools are out there in Montgomery County or DC that would be one to look at for an adhd child who needs small class size and structure. I had heard that Bullis can now accomodate children who need more than the average child, but I've only heard this (no real experience myself).

You come off as pretty demanding and lacking grace. I'll tell you how I found the best fit (for this year anyway) for my ADHD child and I will tell you it didn't involved getting someone else to do the work for me. Every ADHD kid is different. There are types of ADHD, and a myriad of factors that impact best fit. You know what I did? I got up off my butt and visited a whole lot of schools multiple times so I could know what fit my child best. I started two years before I needed a school and I visited 20'schools! Yes, 20. Some of them multiple times. Some of them I fled from. I did due diligence because my child's welfare means the world to me. We applied to mainstream and more specialized private and DC was accepted to both. Then we made a decision knowing that we don't have a manic crystal ball. How about doing the same for your own kid?

Who peed in your Wheaties this morning? You do realize OP posted her question in 2012, right?

These threads are very helpful for other parents. Most people don't have the free time to tour 20
schools. I have a child with ED type issues and it is helpful to know not to waste my precious time and
even more precious emotional energy on schools that would never consider my child.