Private School than can handle a child with ADHD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20% of children nationally have learning differences. 20% of students at the top 3 have learning differences. Don't assume that your child can't be accommodated, because if s/he is bright and curious, s/he will do just fine in any school.

Selective admissions processes and subsequent counseling out mean the students at the Big 3 do not mirror the general population. That's why people pay the big $.

+100 No way 20% of the kids at the Cathedral schools or Sidwell have a learning difference.

Agree - counseled out by upper school seems to be the norm

I agree that its probably less than 20% but it is absolutely not true that they are all counseled out. I think you misunderstand ADHD. DD thrived at NCS, including very high grade, in spite of ADHD because of the right accommodations. This would not be true of every child so I agree with the recommendations for schools like Field and Maret. But there are a range of learners who have this diagnosis and there absolutely are kids with ADHD at every school.

[Anonymous]

But were any admitted where the school knew they had ADHD when they were offered a spot? Or are these student who were admitted without a diagnosis and only received one after they were already attending the school? Is anyone able to answer this question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But were any admitted where the school knew they had ADHD when they were offered a spot? Or are these student who were admitted without a diagnosis and only received one after they were already attending the school? Is anyone able to answer this question?

Yes. This does happen, and not just from major donors' children. Reports from previous schools are really important, as are recent evaluations by a psychologist.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about ADHD, but my child was admitted to a big 3 with speech and possibly other issues, with ongoing treatment. We are not famous or a family with a hook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But were any admitted where the school knew they had ADHD when they were offered a spot? Or are these student who were admitted without a diagnosis and only received one after they were already attending the school? Is anyone able to answer this question?

We are not at a big 3 but another private that is known for not being able to handle ADHD well. With my admissions application I sent in the neuropschyc. It's not fair to either the child or the school to spring a dx on them if you already have it. My child was admitted. Before accepting, I sat down with the school to review what accommodations they would be able to provide. Prior to the start of the actual school year, we met as a team once again to discuss changes over the summer. It's been 2 years and my child is thriving.

You want to put your child in an environment that nurtures them and can adjust to their learning differences. Withholding valuable information like a dx puts everyone at a disadvantage.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, PPs. Good to know some private schools do admit students needing accommodations.

[Anonymous]

The good ones do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But were any admitted where the school knew they had ADHD when they were offered a spot? Or are these student who were admitted without a diagnosis and only received one after they were already attending the school? Is anyone able to answer this question?

We are not at a big 3 but another private that is known for not being able to handle ADHD well. With my admissions application I sent in the neuropschyc. It's not fair to either the child or the school to spring a dx on them if you already have it. My child was admitted. Before accepting, I sat down with the school to review what accommodations they would be able to provide. Prior to the start of the actual school year, we met as a team once again to discuss changes over the summer. It's been 2 years and my child is thriving.

You want to put your child in an environment that nurtures them and can adjust to their learning differences. Withholding valuable information like a dx puts everyone at a disadvantage.

We did the exact same thing at a big 3 and it has worked out really well so far. I think they appreciate having all of the information, and I didn't want my child to attend a school that wouldn't be a good fit. We are also not an important family fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Way far out in MoCo -- Barnesville. Goes up to 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs. Good to know some private schools do admit students needing accommodations.

If the child is disruptive to the other students and the teacher frequently has to stop to discipline or redirect them then it isn't neccessarily good for all and in fact it's not fair to the other students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs. Good to know some private schools do admit students needing accommodations.

If the child is disruptive to the other students and the teacher frequently has to stop to discipline or redirect them then it isn't neccessarily good for all and in fact it's not fair to the other students.

The OP did not ask about disruptive students, but about ADHD. Not the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs. Good to know some private schools do admit students needing accommodations.

If the child is disruptive to the other students and the teacher frequently has to stop to discipline or redirect them then it isn't neccessarily good for all and in fact it's not fair to the other students.

The OP did not ask about disruptive students, but about ADHD. Not the same.

+1

[Anonymous]

St. Andrew's is a great choice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20% of children nationally have learning differences. 20% of students at the top 3 have learning differences. Don't assume that your child can't be accommodated, because if s/he is bright and curious, s/he will do just fine in any school.

Selective admissions processes and subsequent counseling out mean the students at the Big 3 do not mirror the general population. That's why people pay the big $.

+100 No way 20% of the kids at the Cathedral schools or Sidwell have a learning difference.

Agree - counseled out by upper school seems to be the norm

I agree that its probably less than 20% but it is absolutely not true that they are all counseled out. I think you misunderstand ADHD. DD thrived at NCS, including very high grade, in spite of ADHD because of the right accommodations. This would not be true of every child so I agree with the recommendations for schools like Field and Maret. But there are a range of learners who have this diagnosis and there absolutely are kids with ADHD at every school.[/quot

+1 There are quite a few diagnosed ADHD at my child's cathedral school. I don't think the curriculum caters to students who learn differently but they do accommodate by allowing extra time to take test. My child thinks some are using diagnosis for the extra time but most truly deserve it.

[Anonymous]

OP, I've been tutoring students in DC area independent schools for the last 20 years (Maret, Sidwell, St Albans, Holton, NCS, GDS, WIS, Field, Stone Ridge, etc), and I can assure you that even the most competitive schools have plenty of kids with learning differences (ex- ADHD) that are given accommodations and thrive. All of these schools have learning specialists that work with students and parents to manage these types of things. You know your child best, so visit schools and find an environment that you think will work for your child. Talk to them honestly and openly about your concerns and ask what they can provide. Don't let yourself be limited - you can find a wonderful school that will work for your son and your family.