Schools with a good "social curriculum" in the lower school?

[Anonymous]

Is Burgandy Farms a good school for students on the spectrum?

[Anonymous]

Sandy Spring Friends School uses Responsive Classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Burgandy Farms a good school for students on the spectrum?

Well, it would depend on where an individual child was on the spectrum and what strengths and challenges that brings. Most privates, Burgundy included do not have teacher training and resources in place to support AS kids. Small k -8 schools tend to teach to the middle with very little real differentiation. So neurotypical kids who are bright do well in these schools ... Ask yourself if your child is close enough to the middle ... If so s/he will do well. If on either extreme either academically or socially, I would look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

s Burgandy Farms a good school for students on the spectrum?


Well, it would depend on where an individual child was on the spectrum and what strengths and challenges that brings. Most privates, Burgundy included do not have teacher training and resources in place to support AS kids. Small k -8 schools tend to teach to the middle with very little real differentiation. So neurotypical kids who are bright do well in these schools ... Ask yourself if your child is close enough to the middle ... If so s/he will do well. If on either extreme either academically or socially, I would look elsewhere.

I'm fairly certain the bolded is only your personal opinion. I'm also going to guess that you are not an educator, because the ignorance behind that statement is surprising and sounds like a poster whose only credentials in commenting on education is that s/he once attended school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Burgandy Farms a good school for students on the spectrum?

No, sorry. It's not going to be a good fit. The school is great for and seeks out above average neuro -typical kids who might have some standard learning challenges - mild ADHD, dyslexia, - that can be improved through outside therapy.

[Anonymous]

Lowell, Lowell, Lowell.
I watched my three dc move smoothly through a party last night talking with many adults, asking good questions, calm and engaged interactions. I like to think the social teaching is at home but I have to say it was also at Lowell especially in the very early years. They really have incorporated the practice of respect and empathy into their every day lives. There may be others as well but I have no question that Lowell has helped us raise respectful and inquisitive and confident kids.

[Anonymous]

I am glad the pp has had such a good experience at Lowell, but there are more than a few families who have not had the same luck in recent years. It does not seem that Lowell has kept up its leadership as a responsive classroom environment, and there are teachers at Lowell who seem to bring a progressive, rather than responsive classroom, approach to their teaching. So, i would not rule out Lowell from your search, but I would look at the school with a critical eye.

[Anonymous]

"I am a Lowell parent and feel positively about the social curriculum and environment of the school. In my experience, the teachers are extremely committed to the "teachable moment", taking the time to address issues when they arise. They also teach children how to advocate for themselves and model respectful language. All of the teachers are also trained in Responsive Classroom and do morning meeting every day. In addition, all teachers make themselves available to the parents, to meet and strategize together, should a situation arise for a child that needs more attention. There is no school that is a utopia, kids have all different personalities and there are indeed social growing pains. That said, we have had nothing but caring and highly experienced teachers who have helped us navigate social issues when we needed a the extra support."

Thanks and good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would say that in recent years almost no parents have experienced Lowell as pp describes it - except that the teachers do morning meeting.

[Anonymous]

PP, why do you say the above? Specifically, which part of the post you referenced do you think others would not agree with?

[Anonymous]

Can you tell me if you like the administration at Lowell? Particularly in the Lower School?

[Anonymous]

I think the Head of the Division in the Primary and the HOS at Lowell are particularly strong and very responsive.

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain how Lowell is no longer implementing the responsive model? We are considering the school. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Research Sandy Spring Friends School carefully. Check this:

http://process999.wordpress.com/2013/11/17/credentials-and-philosophy-of-the-head-of-school/

Also check the curriculum guides at this same site. . . .

[Anonymous]

I know of a child who had to leave Lowell because of bullying.