Current McLean School and Siena school parents

[Anonymous]

The McLean Moms are B-A-C-K. run away, run away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Certainly, we left @ 4 years ago - and it is indeed true that school personalities change. Since that time, a new middle school headmaster has been put in place and a new Head. McLean is also far easier to get into now. From what I've read in archives, the current parents seem divided as to what they thing of the new Head and others seem to think that the school lack focus. I have no dog in this race, I just find it bizarre when a group of McLean Mom cheerleaders all pop up to rave in orchestrated fashion about the school. Every school has its problems. My problems there may have been different than what is happening now but there is a "McLean Mom" who comes on here and scolds anyone who says anything remotely derogatory about the school. I have no idea who she is. But it does shut down some free speech and for the amount of money you will be paying (plus bus, plus texts; plus tutoring, ++++) you need to know that you feel the school is under excellent leadership and stable. I don't know if it is that now. We were unhappy with many aspects of the school 4 years ago. Now, watch, I'll get slammed for even trying to help you out by posting "stale info".

+1 another former McLean parent who gas felt the wrath of the cheerleaders. We left 3 years ago. The academics were our major issue. Uninspired and not very challenging. Wide variance in teacher quality. Socially the smallness was a problem.[/quote]


+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, too, got screamed at and "outed" (???????? there was nothing to "out" me for) as a past parent noting that the school is situation in an Eruv so there are a number of Jewish students. If you happen to hit the school at age 12 your son or daughter will spend a lot of weekends going to bar and bat mitzvahs. After ten of these , we finally had to tell DS that there just could be no more unless it was a close close friend because they were so disruptive on the weekends, taking up Sat morning, Sat night, lots of driving, then sleep schedules were all wacked out Sunday morning. We had a second home we couldn't visit that entire year because of the mitzvahs. Now I'll be screamed at again or "outed" (so bizarre) or called anti-semitic (just go try since I'm Jewish).

What's this got to do with the quality of the school? And, what profound point are you trying to make? You and the parent obsessed with the elusive Lamborghini? It is really not providing any useful information to OP or me for that matter, who is interested in current information. [/quote]


OP specifically asked about the Lamborghini (which, I too, saw) at 9:21 and a current parent took up the issue as did another at 11:21.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, too, got screamed at and "outed" (???????? there was nothing to "out" me for) as a past parent noting that the school is situation in an Eruv so there are a number of Jewish students. If you happen to hit the school at age 12 your son or daughter will spend a lot of weekends going to bar and bat mitzvahs. After ten of these , we finally had to tell DS that there just could be no more unless it was a close close friend because they were so disruptive on the weekends, taking up Sat morning, Sat night, lots of driving, then sleep schedules were all wacked out Sunday morning. We had a second home we couldn't visit that entire year because of the mitzvahs. Now I'll be screamed at again or "outed" (so bizarre) or called anti-semitic (just go try since I'm Jewish).

You sound like a selfish lunatic.

Gentile here who thought that the bar/bat mitzvahs (service and celebrations) added a lot to DD's middle school experience. She learned about other religions, gained confidence in various social situations, and quite frankly was happy to support her classmates in one of the biggest days of their lives. She never complained about going, even when the service was 3 hours long. She loved all the parties whether they were fancy or casual.

I'm happy that my DD was invited to as many as she was (upwards of 20). What's the other side of it... that your child would not be invited? That sounds great... for you and your second home visiting... blech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, too, got screamed at and "outed" (???????? there was nothing to "out" me for) as a past parent noting that the school is situation in an Eruv so there are a number of Jewish students. If you happen to hit the school at age 12 your son or daughter will spend a lot of weekends going to bar and bat mitzvahs. After ten of these , we finally had to tell DS that there just could be no more unless it was a close close friend because they were so disruptive on the weekends, taking up Sat morning, Sat night, lots of driving, then sleep schedules were all wacked out Sunday morning. We had a second home we couldn't visit that entire year because of the mitzvahs. Now I'll be screamed at again or "outed" (so bizarre) or called anti-semitic (just go try since I'm Jewish).

You sound like a selfish lunatic.

Gentile here who thought that the bar/bat mitzvahs (service and celebrations) added a lot to DD's middle school experience. She learned about other religions, gained confidence in various social situations, and quite frankly was happy to support her classmates in one of the biggest days of their lives. She never complained about going, even when the service was 3 hours long. She loved all the parties whether they were fancy or casual.

I'm happy that my DD was invited to as many as she was (upwards of 20). What's the other side of it... that your child would not be invited? That sounds great... for you and your second home visiting... blech.

Your point would have been good except you decided to call the poster names. That doesn't help the case that the Mclean Mom's are not nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks, PP. This is my DC too: above grade level in reading but below grade level in writing. She is also above grade level in math but the writing disability holds her back there too.

Different Siena parent here. FWIW, Siena has been great for our child who came in to the school above grade level in reading and math, but below grade level in writing. Despite being above grade in reading our student clearly has challenges with decoding/encoding and reading comprehension and so benefits from the specialized way Siena teaches. Despite what must be a mixture of below/at/above grade readers in class, our DC has never complained about being bored or overwhelmed.

The writing difficulties also affect our DC in math, making calculations more sloppy and error prone and making responding to word problems or answers which require written explanation difficult, although DC understands the underlying math quite well. Some kids who show on assessment that they already know the skills at grade level may be advanced in math to the next grade. Since the school is geared toward language difficulties, all math classes no matter the level, support the language and writing challenges.

I was surprised that many of the writing challenges, especially spelling and handwriting, began to ease significantly by the end of the first quarter after entry. I didn't expect results that quickly. Of course, YMMV.

OP again. This is really helpful, PP. Our DC very similar in math - totally gets the underlying concepts but the handwriting part is insanely difficult. Do they ever advance kids in reading, do you know? I kind of don't want to ask until we find out if DC is admitted. I think the psychologist advising us on schools was concerned that if DC doesn't get accelerated reading, she will be demoralized. She has some verbal fluency and word retrieval issues but apparently her reading is very strong across the board, which kind of surprised us because we thought there might be some dyslexia. I really appreciate your responses, PP. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the first former McLean parent, 8:33. Now I think everyone can see why OP asked to hear from current McLean parents . Fwiw, I never saw a Lamborghini anywhere. There may have been a car wash but it certainly wasn't something that anyone was pressured to go to. Were there divorced families? Sure. But there were divorced families at our MCPS as well. Were there super rich families? Sure. But there were super rich families at our MCPS as well. Were there plenty of families I could relate to? Absolutely and this included families above and below my socio-economic status. Was the way the PTA was run a little kooky? Yes but I do not fault the parents. There was way too much input from a certain member of the administration and that person, again, is no longer at the school. So, not to beat a dead horse, current parents can tell op how it is now. Sounds like you have two great options for your dc -- good luck with your choice.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. There is "kooky" at every school, that's for sure - private and public. The DC area seems to have more than its share of kooky, too.

If current parents from either school have things to add, I would love to hear it. It's hard when your kid falls in between clearly needing a special needs school and clearly succeeding at a completely mainstream school. If our child were unhappy at school, or failing, it would be easier to figure out what to do.

[Anonymous]

My DD is currently in 6th grade - while she would have done fine in MCPS system, I was afraid that she would get lost in the huge classes. And let's not mention the drama that goes with that
I was originally concerned about moving her to McLean as I didn't want her in a heavily accommodated school. I have been extremely pleased with the school. The kids all get along, there is not the drama (not tolerated). The kids are taught to advocate for themselves, have had some mindfulness classes.
The teachers are great and very committed to the kids - they have been great at gently persuasion to get my DD into different activities. I have seen a big increase in her skills.
It is a tough decision and it really depends on which is the best fit for your child - your instincts will let you know

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. In reading previous threads about McLean I see a lot of stuff about divorced parents, trophy wives, plastic surgery, Lamborghinis, etc., none of which apply to us. Can any current parents comment on this?

I also see concerns that the new HOS does not have a teaching background. The heads of each division seem to have very strong education backgrounds, however, so I would think a HOS with good administrative and financial skills would be a fine leader - perhaps even better. Can current parents comment on this?

That was one poster who rattled off that ridiculous list and was quickly shot down by several of us. I do not know of a single parent who fits that description. When pressed on the idea of "Lamborghinis" (because I have never seen one anywhere near McLean) the poster admitted it had been on the school grounds as a novelty item during truck day when the youngest students in lower school explore various vehicles. I don't remember my DS even having truck day so its possible that even that was made up but if true all it means is that one time such a car was borrowed for a school event.

My other DC has attended two other DC privates where there were an equal number, or more, divorced parents, trophy wives, plastic surgery, etc . . . Which is all to say just ignore this BS.

Really? Orchestrated? DO you compare notes? No one has ever told you that the Special Needs thread is supposed to be helpful and kind? Do you mothers routinely get together, have coffee and decide whom to "shoot down"? And, BTW, I was the Lamborghini poster which I saw at a car wash. You, as a collective, did not "shut me down". And I did not "admit it had been on the school grounds as a novelty item during truck day when the youngest students in lower school explore various vehicles". I've never heard of truck day (?) at the McLean School. I never saw "truck day" (why would a Lamborghini be at "truck day" anyhow? Methinks you are making this up). The gull wing lamborghini is there every year at the car wash. I am truly sorry you feel so defensive about the expense of the school and the money, but when an OP is exploring schools for a SN child and I can help, I will. OP, go tour the school; view the cars in the parking lot on a parents' day event; and ask for a current catalogue and check how many mommies and daddies have different addresses and phone numbers. And as for the bar mitzvahs, yes, it is unfortunate they all fall in one year so every single Saturday is booked and then jr. is wrecked for church the next day. We even got "save the date" cards 8 months in advance for one. It's also very uncomfortable to be driving jr. to a bar mitzvah and attending (not driving yet) and then for the huge hotel event in the evening when both the mother and father of the bar mitzvah kid is fighting. One mom even asked me to start setting her up.

But that's not why we left. WE left because of too much homework and uncoordinated projects and exams (all on the same day) and teachers that seemed to have forgotten they were teaching in a special needs school. Our kid was too stressed. OP, check out your public with an IEP - MUCH better move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. In reading previous threads about McLean I see a lot of stuff about divorced parents, trophy wives, plastic surgery, Lamborghinis, etc., none of which apply to us. Can any current parents comment on this?

I also see concerns that the new HOS does not have a teaching background. The heads of each division seem to have very strong education backgrounds, however, so I would think a HOS with good administrative and financial skills would be a fine leader - perhaps even better. Can current parents comment on this?

That was one poster who rattled off that ridiculous list and was quickly shot down by several of us. I do not know of a single parent who fits that description. When pressed on the idea of "Lamborghinis" (because I have never seen one anywhere near McLean) the poster admitted it had been on the school grounds as a novelty item during truck day when the youngest students in lower school explore various vehicles. I don't remember my DS even having truck day so its possible that even that was made up but if true all it means is that one time such a car was borrowed for a school event.

My other DC has attended two other DC privates where there were an equal number, or more, divorced parents, trophy wives, plastic surgery, etc . . . Which is all to say just ignore this BS.

Really? Orchestrated? DO you compare notes? No one has ever told you that the Special Needs thread is supposed to be helpful and kind? Do you mothers routinely get together, have coffee and decide whom to "shoot down"? And, BTW, I was the Lamborghini poster which I saw at a car wash. You, as a collective, did not "shut me down". And I did not "admit it had been on the school grounds as a novelty item during truck day when the youngest students in lower school explore various vehicles". I've never heard of truck day (?) at the McLean School. I never saw "truck day" (why would a Lamborghini be at "truck day" anyhow? Methinks you are making this up). The gull wing lamborghini is there every year at the car wash. I am truly sorry you feel so defensive about the expense of the school and the money, but when an OP is exploring schools for a SN child and I can help, I will. OP, go tour the school; view the cars in the parking lot on a parents' day event; and ask for a current catalogue and check how many mommies and daddies have different addresses and phone numbers. And as for the bar mitzvahs, yes, it is unfortunate they all fall in one year so every single Saturday is booked and then jr. is wrecked for church the next day. We even got "save the date" cards 8 months in advance for one. It's also very uncomfortable to be driving jr. to a bar mitzvah and attending (not driving yet) and then for the huge hotel event in the evening when both the mother and father of the bar mitzvah kid is fighting. One mom even asked me to start setting her up.

But that's not why we left. WE left because of too much homework and uncoordinated projects and exams (all on the same day) and teachers that seemed to have forgotten they were teaching in a special needs school. Our kid was too stressed. OP, check out your public with an IEP - MUCH better move.

Ha. In our experience, McLean tries to forget that it is a special needs school.

[Anonymous]

^^ Exactly. I had the same experience. And when we complained to the learning specialist coordinators and counselors and showed them the amount of homework, the make-work homework, the tests and projects due on the same day, they were afraid to approach the teachers. We had left a less-progressive private to get reduced homework and a less punitive, strict environment but we sure didn't get it, or didn't pull the right teachers. Going public with an IEP was much better.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Our DC does not qualify for anything in public school except related services, which we already have in place.

We are looking for a supportive place for a couple of years of elementary school, nothing more than that, and we are just parents trying to do what is best for our particular kid. Please, I really just want to hear from current McLean and Siena parents. This is already stressful enough for us.

[Anonymous]

2:14 -- McLean is not a SN school. It is a mainstream school that is open to and supportive of students with mild learning differences. A SN school would be Lab or Kingsbury. When we toured McLean initially (years ago) they told us 50% of their students have a diagnosis. I would say that on the spectrum they are halfway between a mainstream school and a SN school. So students who need the full supports of a SN school will not find what they offer at McLean to be adequate. My DS is kind of a tween -- he needs some attention but not enough for a SN school. McLean has been the sweet spot for us. The teachers are trained to and want to figure out what each child needs. Its not perfect, as most of us with children there will say (in spite of accusations of cheerleading). if your DC is not in that sweet spot, either because they need more accommodations or more challenge, it won't be the right school. I wold say every school is about the fit, but with such a specific niche thats certainly true for McLean.

As for Lamborghinis, this is a just a truly bizarre rift. PP saw one once and so throws out this idea that there are plural Lamborghinis out there. I have never seen one at McLean. The cars in the parking lot are similar to cars in parking lots at other privates and at suburban publics. The bar/bat mitzvah thing is another strange digression. If you have a child in 6th and 7th grade you need to to prepare for a ton of invites, wherever they go to school. My other DC went to a Cathedral school, for goodness sake, and by the end of bar/bat mitzvah season declined many invitations because there were just too many. Frankly, if your big beef is that your DC somehow can't go to your second home, you shouldn't be talking about the obvious wealth you perceive in the parent body. In any event, what you are posting does not answer OP's questions.

I suspect that .30, 2:14 and and 3:17 are from the same sock puppet who is up all night posting here.

OP, I think you've gotten some helpful answers amid the muck here. The best thing to do is visit the schools and have your DC spend some time there. You will get a good sense of whether or not its a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Our DC does not qualify for anything in public school except related services, which we already have in place.

We are looking for a supportive place for a couple of years of elementary school, nothing more than that, and we are just parents trying to do what is best for our particular kid. Please, I really just want to hear from current McLean and Siena parents. This is already stressful enough for us.

Read: don't want to hear from any unsatisfied or disgruntled former parents.

[Anonymous]

I think you're right 10:19: That's unfortunate, if true, that OP doesn't want to hear anything bad, but I've been there. You think you've found the answer to your frustrating problems and want to give up the exhausting hunt.

and to 7:40 - No, .30, 2.14 and 3.17 are not the same person. 2:14 is agreeing with me at .30 and unlike the McLean Meanie moms, I don't get together with other moms to decide whom "to shoot down" so I don't know who it is. And as for typing at "night", ever hear of time-change? travel? Women professionals getting on planes and flying to Shangai to do business and get bored in a meeting so do some work on their lap tops?

Seriously, OP, have you exhausted the search? McLean is having problems filling seats. That, alone, makes me uncomfortable. Have you looked at St. Andrews, Bullis, Flinthill, Burke and Field, and exhausted what your public has to offer? McLean is very expensive. Every single thing is an add-on expense, like the bus.