Best mainstream privates for kids with mild learning support needs

[Anonymous]

To the OP, I’d guess that with three domains as you describe it might be tough to find a mainstream school that can fully support your child.

We have a child with dyslexia who has flourished in a mainstream private after receiving extensive outside tutoring, but would not be flourishing if we relied on in-school services. I would think you will want frequent services for your child and so a more specialized school could be a better fit regardless of cognitive function. Then you can apply in an older grade if that seems like a good fit.

You can always apply now, but I suspect it won’t be an easy road abs tour child might get less out of it in the long run without frequent services. These things are tough. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What grade? NPS has been wonderful in accommodating for some less commonly seen needs.

We wanted to apply to NPS this year for our kid with mild dyslexia. Was told by admissions that they already had a couple of kids with special needs in the class and they couldn't accommodate any more. Since their class sizes are so small, it's hard to bring a new kid in with any kind of special needs.

That makes some sense. Whether they can reasonably accommodate depends on the number of kids requiring accommodation and the degree of difference of any one kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering Maret, GDS, Sidwell, Beauvoir, Sheridan for a bright child with no cognitive delays but speech, motor, and fine motor delays as a result of her hypotonia. She has private therapy end had made great strides over the past couple years.
I know none of these schools are required to provide accommodations.
Which schools do best with kids who may need some targeted support like mine? Any schools you’d absolutely eliminate from the list? Any others you’d suggest considering?

Honestly, I have a very bright child with ADHD and would never consider any of those schools. They are all pressure cookers who will not accommodate a child with any delays and will get more competitive as they get older. Extremely bright students with no delays or differences already struggle in those environments, I wouldn't want my child to be the one who had even more to overcome and the only one with these issues.

The suggestions for Field, Burke, and Lowell are all good ones that can accommodate differences. You would find the administration at any of those schools happy to partner with you on getting the best experience for your child.

We have a child that sounds very similar to yours; may I ask what school you chose?

Did Op say the age of her child? Field and Burke would be great but they start at 6th.

If OP is looking at Beauvoir then her kid is probably quite young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering Maret, GDS, Sidwell, Beauvoir, Sheridan for a bright child with no cognitive delays but speech, motor, and fine motor delays as a result of her hypotonia. She has private therapy end had made great strides over the past couple years.
I know none of these schools are required to provide accommodations.
Which schools do best with kids who may need some targeted support like mine? Any schools you’d absolutely eliminate from the list? Any others you’d suggest considering?

Honestly, I have a very bright child with ADHD and would never consider any of those schools. They are all pressure cookers who will not accommodate a child with any delays and will get more competitive as they get older. Extremely bright students with no delays or differences already struggle in those environments, I wouldn't want my child to be the one who had even more to overcome and the only one with these issues.

The suggestions for Field, Burke, and Lowell are all good ones that can accommodate differences. You would find the administration at any of those schools happy to partner with you on getting the best experience for your child.

We have a child that sounds very similar to yours; may I ask what school you chose?

Did Op say the age of her child? Field and Burke would be great but they start at 6th.

If OP is looking at Beauvoir then her kid is probably quite young.

True, so Field and Burke are out until 6th.

[Anonymous]

Mclean or Sandy Springs Friends School?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Maret.

Thanks for weighing in. Can you say anything more about why?

I second this. Not sure what grade you’re looking at but Maret is a pressure cooker despite its outward image (yes, we are a current family)

I would hardly call it a pressure cooker academically (it certainly is socially). But anyone who needs extra attention is going against The Business Model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your list is very unrealistic. I don't think you will find a good fit at any of those places. It you have a very specific and not common situation I think public can often accommodate better and the staff have much more training and education in the area of special needs.
Such extreme low muscle tone to the degree that it has effected so many areas is a special need. I think for her early years as she continues to make strides you should either, go public for the reasons mentioned above or look into Lowell, Sheridan(on your list already), Norwood, NPS, Harbor and St Andrews. The others aren't likely to happen and I don't think you'll be happy there. We know a family who had to leave sidwell after 3rd grade because their child developed a health issue that sidwell simply did not know what to do about in needs of support even though the family was being very helpful and proactive in providing resources. These schools are really not for special needs kids, even if the child is cognitively fine.

Wow. That’s pretty sad that SFS couldn’t step up for one of their students.

[Anonymous]

My child will go to BVR and similarly is fine cognitively but goes to OT for mild issues, I am sure will resolve. We also strongly considered and really liked GDS. I suspect their are many young kids at these schools with minor OT issues and hope these admissions departments would look favorably on families proactively addressing early issues. Do not let these posters influence you away from applying to a school you feel will be a good fit. I have heard wonderful things about Sheridan too and think all of these schools are well equipped to ensure mild OT issues are addressed. I know times are different but there is a story of Barbara Bush being told that Neil Bush didn't have the potential to graduate but she worked closely with him and his St Albans teachers to ensure that he did. He was later diagnosed with dyslexia. Barbara later founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Amazing schools should educate amazingly not just cookie cutter kids that fit a single mold IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child will go to BVR and similarly is fine cognitively but goes to OT for mild issues, I am sure will resolve. We also strongly considered and really liked GDS. I suspect their are many young kids at these schools with minor OT issues and hope these admissions departments would look favorably on families proactively addressing early issues. Do not let these posters influence you away from applying to a school you feel will be a good fit. I have heard wonderful things about Sheridan too and think all of these schools are well equipped to ensure mild OT issues are addressed. I know times are different but there is a story of Barbara Bush being told that Neil Bush didn't have the potential to graduate but she worked closely with him and his St Albans teachers to ensure that he did. He was later diagnosed with dyslexia. Barbara later founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Amazing schools should educate amazingly not just cookie cutter kids that fit a single mold IMO.

Yes, the schools should but mostly they choose not to. OP should know what they are up against.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child will go to BVR and similarly is fine cognitively but goes to OT for mild issues, I am sure will resolve. We also strongly considered and really liked GDS. I suspect their are many young kids at these schools with minor OT issues and hope these admissions departments would look favorably on families proactively addressing early issues. Do not let these posters influence you away from applying to a school you feel will be a good fit. I have heard wonderful things about Sheridan too and think all of these schools are well equipped to ensure mild OT issues are addressed. I know times are different but there is a story of Barbara Bush being told that Neil Bush didn't have the potential to graduate but she worked closely with him and his St Albans teachers to ensure that he did. He was later diagnosed with dyslexia. Barbara later founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Amazing schools should educate amazingly not just cookie cutter kids that fit a single mold IMO.

Agreed. If only they would step up when the kid’s last name is Smith rather than Bush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s impossible to say without you describing her needs in more detail. I can’t tell if you’re just a hyper-protective mom for whom being clumsy is a “delay,” or if your child actually has delays. Speech, fine, and gross motor delays all together actually sounds like they could be fairly significant needs and you’d be better off in public with an IEP.

OP here:

Fair question. This is definitely not just me being a hyper-protective mom, though I'd say it's hard to assess long-term need because DD has made significant progress in the past couple years. She started therapy through DC"s early intervention program at age 1 after hypotonia diagnosis. She didn't walk until 22 months. Delayed expressive but not receptive language. Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at age 3. Through speech, OT, and PT, she has made great progress over past couple years, and the growth hormone injections have helped with her strength, too. She qualifies for an IEP through DCPS but we've sent her to a private pre-school that provides small classes and hands-on attention, which she's thrived in.

She is now 4, so we are looking at Kindergarten programs. I find it hard to judge the significance of her future needs because of her positive trajectory. I don't think this is just me looking through rose-colored glasses or wishing for an alternate reality but I don't want to be naive and suggest she definitely won't need any real supports, either.

Developmental pediatrician has suggested she could do ok in mainstream private school, with private therapy in place as needed.

Thanks for your input.

[Anonymous]

Our son is 5 and in therapy for OT. He struggles to hold a pencil and writing. However, he’s already reading. There is no perfect kid. My kid got accepted into a popular school. We were very transparent with admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s impossible to say without you describing her needs in more detail. I can’t tell if you’re just a hyper-protective mom for whom being clumsy is a “delay,” or if your child actually has delays. Speech, fine, and gross motor delays all together actually sounds like they could be fairly significant needs and you’d be better off in public with an IEP.

OP here:

Fair question. This is definitely not just me being a hyper-protective mom, though I'd say it's hard to assess long-term need because DD has made significant progress in the past couple years. She started therapy through DC"s early intervention program at age 1 after hypotonia diagnosis. She didn't walk until 22 months. Delayed expressive but not receptive language. Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at age 3. Through speech, OT, and PT, she has made great progress over past couple years, and the growth hormone injections have helped with her strength, too. She qualifies for an IEP through DCPS but we've sent her to a private pre-school that provides small classes and hands-on attention, which she's thrived in.

She is now 4, so we are looking at Kindergarten programs. I find it hard to judge the significance of her future needs because of her positive trajectory. I don't think this is just me looking through rose-colored glasses or wishing for an alternate reality but I don't want to be naive and suggest she definitely won't need any real supports, either.

Developmental pediatrician has suggested she could do ok in mainstream private school, with private therapy in place as needed.

Thanks for your input.

Look, I don't say this to be unkind, but I would be surprised if she got it. Many children who are on track developmentally do not get offered a spot. The schools you listed gain nothing from taking a child who needs extra help and care for the same tuition as a child who doesn't. I would suggest applying to schools that cater to kids who need a bit more attention, or public where you could probably have and aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s impossible to say without you describing her needs in more detail. I can’t tell if you’re just a hyper-protective mom for whom being clumsy is a “delay,” or if your child actually has delays. Speech, fine, and gross motor delays all together actually sounds like they could be fairly significant needs and you’d be better off in public with an IEP.

OP here:

Fair question. This is definitely not just me being a hyper-protective mom, though I'd say it's hard to assess long-term need because DD has made significant progress in the past couple years. She started therapy through DC"s early intervention program at age 1 after hypotonia diagnosis. She didn't walk until 22 months. Delayed expressive but not receptive language. Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at age 3. Through speech, OT, and PT, she has made great progress over past couple years, and the growth hormone injections have helped with her strength, too. She qualifies for an IEP through DCPS but we've sent her to a private pre-school that provides small classes and hands-on attention, which she's thrived in.

She is now 4, so we are looking at Kindergarten programs. I find it hard to judge the significance of her future needs because of her positive trajectory. I don't think this is just me looking through rose-colored glasses or wishing for an alternate reality but I don't want to be naive and suggest she definitely won't need any real supports, either.

Developmental pediatrician has suggested she could do ok in mainstream private school, with private therapy in place as needed.

Thanks for your input.

Look, I don't say this to be unkind, but I would be surprised if she got it. Many children who are on track developmentally do not get offered a spot. The schools you listed gain nothing from taking a child who needs extra help and care for the same tuition as a child who doesn't. I would suggest applying to schools that cater to kids who need a bit more attention, or public where you could probably have and aid.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s impossible to say without you describing her needs in more detail. I can’t tell if you’re just a hyper-protective mom for whom being clumsy is a “delay,” or if your child actually has delays. Speech, fine, and gross motor delays all together actually sounds like they could be fairly significant needs and you’d be better off in public with an IEP.

OP here:

Fair question. This is definitely not just me being a hyper-protective mom, though I'd say it's hard to assess long-term need because DD has made significant progress in the past couple years. She started therapy through DC"s early intervention program at age 1 after hypotonia diagnosis. She didn't walk until 22 months. Delayed expressive but not receptive language. Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at age 3. Through speech, OT, and PT, she has made great progress over past couple years, and the growth hormone injections have helped with her strength, too. She qualifies for an IEP through DCPS but we've sent her to a private pre-school that provides small classes and hands-on attention, which she's thrived in.

She is now 4, so we are looking at Kindergarten programs. I find it hard to judge the significance of her future needs because of her positive trajectory. I don't think this is just me looking through rose-colored glasses or wishing for an alternate reality but I don't want to be naive and suggest she definitely won't need any real supports, either.

Developmental pediatrician has suggested she could do ok in mainstream private school, with private therapy in place as needed.

Thanks for your input.

Look, I don't say this to be unkind, but I would be surprised if she got it. Many children who are on track developmentally do not get offered a spot. The schools you listed gain nothing from taking a child who needs extra help and care for the same tuition as a child who doesn't. I would suggest applying to schools that cater to kids who need a bit more attention, or public where you could probably have and aid.

Hahaha. Clearly you have never been through the IEP process if you think this level of need will get an aide. The OP would be lucky to get 30 minutes of speech and 30 minutes of OT once a week.