Compare Mclean School vs. Commonwealth Academy

[Anonymous]

I think PP who criticized the previous poster for posting over and over again may be confusing her with another really negative poster who has come here periodically with a real vendetta against McLean. I don't think they're the same poster.

Most parents are very happy with McLean. Some are not and because we're parents of kids who really do need to be reached, when we're unhappy with a school we're really unhappy with a school. Its not like having a typical kid who can kind of roll with whatever happens. So I think that explains the strong feelings. Most parents I know are grateful for what McLean has to offer.

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier too about McLean and was puzzled as well by all the negative feedback from the CA parent. If the school did not work for your child, then so be it. But, to make the callous and gossipy comments about divorced parents, face lifts and sports cars really diminishes ones credibility. I haven't seen the Lamborghini but will look for it PP. It's probably the divorced parent with the facelift driving it.

[Anonymous]

Some McLean Archives to peruse as suggested by PPs: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/303988.page
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/285129.page

[Anonymous]

The Lamborghini is put on display as you enter the parking lot every year for the car way. Can't miss it.

[Anonymous]

Another archive which may help OP: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/281971.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good. McLean is not hurting for applicants.

That's a funny one, PP.

Yeah right. If you wanted to get in now, they would take you in a heartbeat. They need the $$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Lamborghini is put on display as you enter the parking lot every year for the car way. Can't miss it.

Do you mean car day? I don't remember there being a car day but to me thats very different from saying there are Lamborhinis, plural, floating around the place.

[Anonymous]

I think the best thing to do, OP, is to go visit these schools and talk to the parents and administrators. I read these anonymous, negative postings about McLean while we were applying and did just that. I visited on numerous occasions and attended every activity/event open to prospective parents. I take a lot of what is said on the various forums as hearsay and would not base a decision on what is said on this forum. I have heard good things about Commonwealth Academy too but would want to go visit and speak to the people. I feel like I made an informed decision and am pleased with my decision. Of course you know that whatever decision you make is in the best interest of your child and family.

[Anonymous]

Had a nephew at McLean and a neighbor at Commonwealth. We visited both and liked both. My sense was commonwealth worked with moderate to mild LD while McLean worked with mild. Unforuntately, due to unforeseen financial issues (medical) we had to go with public school and that worked out.

As an educator who has also worked in administration I can tell you no school is allowed to diagnose your child. Asperger's/high functioning autism is/are pretty easy for school personnel to detect when they see your child day after day, but they are not really allowed to say it. Even school counselors are now allowed to give a diagnosis. Plus, it is a loaded diagnosis. People go to great lengths to avoid the label, insisting the child has ADHD, anxiety, language issues, etc so it's best to look at symptoms and address them and let outside professionals diagnose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had a nephew at McLean and a neighbor at Commonwealth. We visited both and liked both. My sense was commonwealth worked with moderate to mild LD while McLean worked with mild. Unforuntately, due to unforeseen financial issues (medical) we had to go with public school and that worked out.

As an educator who has also worked in administration I can tell you no school is allowed to diagnose your child. Asperger's/high functioning autism is/are pretty easy for school personnel to detect when they see your child day after day, but they are not really allowed to say it. Even school counselors are now allowed to give a diagnosis. Plus, it is a loaded diagnosis. People go to great lengths to avoid the label, insisting the child has ADHD, anxiety, language issues, etc so it's best to look at symptoms and address them and let outside professionals diagnose.

This is true and parents will get nowhere expecting a school to tell them what the diagnosis is with their child. At our public school the teachers are not even allowed to tell the parents that they should get their child evaluated. The only thing teachers and the school can do is to send home notes, emails, etc detailing what problems the child is having in the classroom. They basically send a lot of strong hints that an evaluation is in order but it is up to the parent to pick up the ball and get an evaluation. Not the school's fault if the parent doesn't get the message or takes a long time to figure it out. Personally, I find this unfortunate (being a parent who took a while to get the gist) but that is the way it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lamborghini is put on display as you enter the parking lot every year for the car way. Can't miss it.

Do you mean car day? I don't remember there being a car day but to me thats very different from saying there are Lamborhinis, plural, floating around the place.

Meant car wash. Stupid autocorrect. The gull wing lamborghini put on display every year at the car wash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think PP who criticized the previous poster for posting over and over again may be confusing her with another really negative poster who has come here periodically with a real vendetta against McLean. I don't think they're the same poster.

Most parents are very happy with McLean. Some are not and because we're parents of kids who really do need to be reached, when we're unhappy with a school we're really unhappy with a school. Its not like having a typical kid who can kind of roll with whatever happens. So I think that explains the strong feelings. Most parents I know are grateful for what McLean has to offer.

You make an interesting point, PP. I find that parents with SN kids tend to get highly emotional especially if things are not working for their particular child and if the staff or school does not meet their child's needs. It is written off as a place for others to beware and stay away from. If parents of kids, who are still at the school, are happy and express satisfaction, then they are written off as delusional or they must be lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good. McLean is not hurting for applicants.

That's a funny one, PP.

Yeah right. If you wanted to get in now, they would take you in a heartbeat. They need the $$$.

A mom friend told me she toured the other day and said they had only four kids in kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Middle school is full.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Middle school is full.

How many kids per grade?