Schooling for SN twins

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for schooling recommendations for my twin 3rd graders. Both have attention issues (one has ADD, the other ADHD). Both also have been diagnosed with a mixed expressive/receptive language disorder, and one has a developmental readying delay. They both have IEPs, but they are very weak - and this is AFTER I spent a few thousand on a reputable educational consultant's assistance. I'm considering seeking out homeschool groups, since the school system is simply passing them along as if they're performing well despite the fact that they are two grades below in reading and math. I've applied to Commonwealth and McLean and was denied at both. I'm not sure what is scaring the schools away, but it seems odd that the private schools are saying that they're unable to provide the support they need. Does this mean that the public school system can provide it, because that hasn't been my experience? I'm very frustrated -this has been along road. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about Auburn School or Lab?

[Anonymous]

Did you apply to The Lab School? I have twins who were accepted there but I declined for 5th grade. Maybe they still have slots open. I am also curious as to the reason McLean did not accept your twins. If comfortable sharing, it might be helpful or insightful to others.

[Anonymous]

OP, when you said your twins were two grade levels below, that was a clue to why McLean did not accept. I have heard they will not accept children who are two or more grade levels behind perhaps because it might take more support and time than they can provide to get them caught up. I am not familiar with Commonwealth Academy but they may be similar in their approaches or support provided. I agree with the previous poster to try Auburn or Lab and also Kingsbury. I would contact them now as they may still have openings. I am sure you are aware that the tuition at these schools is $30K and above so you should definitely seek public funding or financial aid for two.

[Anonymous]

Look at Newton. It isn't conveniently located but it's a great school. Also look at Diener. Schools like McLean, Commonwealth and Siena want kids who are at or just below grade level. Or a former McLean teacher told me a common profile is someone who is gifted in math but has issues with reading or vice versa.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Both schools said my kids would require more support than they could provide, and neither school was aware that they were 2 grades below. Not that I was withholding information - they made their decisions based on neuro-psych tests from Kennedy Kreiger.

I looked into Lab, but when I went to the info session they indicated that financial aid wasn't available until after you attended for a year. I wasnt able to foot the bill without some type of fin aid. Thanks for the recommendations of Kingsbury and Auburn. I'll check them out as well.

It's interesting that these private schools which supposedly have better trained teachers and on-site resources can't provide the support the KKI evals indicate is necessary. This relegates them to getting whatever the public schools are willing to provide, but still not really giving them what's needed. My kids are currently in a regular classroom setting. If a specialty private school can't provide the support, how can I expect the public schools with more students, less skilled teachers, to do so? Sorry to vent. This is sooooo utterly frustrating...

[Anonymous]

Fact is the schools do fig

[Anonymous]

Op again. Btw, I visited Diener and loved it, but the commute would be too far. Newton as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fact is the schools do fig

Sorry -- not sure what happened. Basically, the schools will observe and test your kids when they visit -- this happened to mine when he visited McLean. They may have made their determination based on the observation/internal testing in addition to the neuropsych. They also could be wrong -- your dc's may have done very well. But you don't want to pay all of that money for a school not to provide what your kids need. There are schools that do provide more support -- they have been mentioned here and in other threads. You may need to look at them rather than the schools that want kids on grade level. And yes, unfortunately they are very expensive. You are in the same boat as a lot of people - although I know it isn't easy to hear. You may want to look at tutoring instead to help them get caught up in the short term.

[Anonymous]

McLean is truly a SN school.

I would also look at Ivymount. They have a learning disabilities program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Both schools said my kids would require more support than they could provide, and neither school was aware that they were 2 grades below. Not that I was withholding information - they made their decisions based on neuro-psych tests from Kennedy Kreiger.

I looked into Lab, but when I went to the info session they indicated that financial aid wasn't available until after you attended for a year. I wasnt able to foot the bill without some type of fin aid. Thanks for the recommendations of Kingsbury and Auburn. I'll check them out as well.

It's interesting that these private schools which supposedly have better trained teachers and on-site resources can't provide the support the KKI evals indicate is necessary. This relegates them to getting whatever the public schools are willing to provide, but still not really giving them what's needed. My kids are currently in a regular classroom setting. If a specialty private school can't provide the support, how can I expect the public schools with more students, less skilled teachers, to do so? Sorry to vent. This is sooooo utterly frustrating...

IME, the private schools (except for Lab and they have extremely limited enrollment in ES) that cater to the LD crowd are aiming for the child that is performing below his ability but at or just under "average" for his grade. They do not qualify for much help from the public schools as they can "succeed" in the general ed setting. (Yes, I know they are supposed to help 2E students, but IME they have to be pushed really hard to do so). The children who have more severe or profound LDs do get more services, however, (again IME) they won't offer them unless the parents push and that means the parents have to do their homework to figure out what their child really needs. We have found any school, public or private, could only go so far, so we have supplemented the rest. We fought hard for the things we couldn't do at home through a private tutor and did the rest ourselves.

Unfortunately, there is no perfect school out there or even close to perfect.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, sorry that this is off topic, but if you wouldn't mind sharing with me - I have twins now that are 2. Both preemies, both IUGR (growth restricted). Both are slightly delayed and are receiving speech therapy. Ped says because of all of this to expect learning delays later on. What was your experience with your twins when they were younger? Did they exihibit delays at a young age? I'm just trying to get an idea of what things we need to plan for. Thank you very much!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again. Btw, I visited Diener and loved it, but the commute would be too far. Newton as well.

I'm having trouble imagining where you live that Diener is too far but both McLean and Commonwealth are reasonable.

Have you looked at Kingsbury or Auburn?

[Anonymous]

Have you considered Oakwood? I think they have experience with kids who are further behind academically.

I wonder, though - if McLean and Commonwealth both said your kids needed more support than the schools could offer, and they didn't mean academically, in what area do they need support? Answering that question might help you narrow down which school would be most appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean is truly a SN school.

I would also look at Ivymount. They have a learning disabilities program.

*meant to say "isn't"