Input needed on Field School

[Anonymous]

I would welcome input from current/past parents/teachers/students regarding Field School. Our son is currently in 5th grade in one of the NW DC private schools often discussed on this board. He has ADHD and is starting to struggle with the academic demands, which we expect will only get worse as he heads into middle school next year. He is a bright kid, but even with treatment has a lot of trouble maintaining focus on the work at hand and executive function issues, such as remembering to do his homework in the after school study hall. One-on-one he does much better with academics. Some have suggested Field might be a good fit for him. We previously looked at McLean in Potomac and are also considering looking at Lab School, though is doctor does not think that Lab would be a good fit. So we would welcome feedback about Field and how well students with ADHD might fit into the school academic and social environment.

[Anonymous]

My nephew has ADHD and executive functioning issues and has been at Field since 7th grade. He has had good and bad experiences with those issues at Field, but his parents' consensus seems to be that he is doing better there than he would at many of the other schools they looked at, both MoCo public and private. The classes there are very, very small, which helps.

[Anonymous]

I see my son as a "non-traditional learner" who is bright, but needs help staying on task. He spent his elementary years at a very traditional DC private then attended Field starting in 7th grade. While he was never actually diagnosed with attention issues, I'm sure there was (and still is) some component of that with him, but Field was a great fit for him. Small classes, atmosphere of inclusion and youthful, innovative teachers who were able to reach and educate him in ways I would have never imagined were just a few of the reasons he was so successful. He graduated last June and so far, is thriving in college. If I had to do things over...I would send him there again in a heartbeat. We loved it, but more importantly he loved it.

[Anonymous]

it's -- gulp -- VERY expensive.

[Anonymous]

They do not have a learning specialist on staff. This has been one con I have heard from others looking at the school. They are apparently very flexible with kids who may need special accommodations however. As the PP said the classes are super small, usually 8-10 kids. That and the gorgeous campus may be why it is so pricey.

[Anonymous]

If he needs that level of attention McLean would be a better bet. You could always move to Field later. I've had kids at both schools and love them both. McLean has a lot of structure and more experience with kids with ADHD. Field has plenty of kids with ADHD and is accommodating but doesn't have the same amount of structure and supports. I think your DS would be better set up for high school starting at McLean.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the feedback so far. We looked at McLean when we moved our son to private in 3rd grade. He was accepted there, but we decided to go with a "bigger name" NW DC private. That may have been a mistake. Our son has done OK at the new school for the past 3 years, but he is starting to fall behind as the work gets harder and just being smart is not enough to carry the day. He has struggled with reading for the past few years and is now working with a tutor to help him keep up with grade level reading. Of course, reading becomes more and more important as the academic work gets harder. He tends to skip small words as he reads, but missing a "not" can have a huge impact on getting a question right on a test. He also struggles with writing assignments where he needs to organize his thoughts. I spoke to another parent today who has a son in the same grade at my son's current school. She also has a son in middle school at Field. She loves both for different reasons based on how they fit for the two son's interests and talents. We plan to visit Field soon to gain more insight.

Are there other schools we should be looking at besides Field and McLean for our son? Our son's doctor suggested that Lab was not a good fit, we think because he felt his issues were not severe enough to meet the Lab criteria. We will probably visit there as well. We live in NW DC, so staying relatively local would be ideal.

[Anonymous]

Burke is the other school I often hear of. Ditto the New School of Northern VA and St Andrews. OP, we have a child with similar issues and have been asking the same questions.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to those who have commented on Field. We visited the school today and were impressed by the philosophy, curriculum, small class size, teachers, and the fact that the kids seemed to be enjoying school and engaged in learning. I'm responding to bump this up again to see if others have insights.

[Anonymous]

I have a child who has attended both Mclean and Field and I love both schools. There are more supports at Mclean so you should give some thought into what he really needs. Both schools are very nurturing.

[Anonymous]

My niece recently graduated from Field after having turned down GDS for the kinder, gentler more responsive environment at Field. She had a wonderful experience and appreciated the wide diversity of learning styles and the teachers' responsiveness to kids interests.

[Anonymous]

Is Field only for kids with learning issues or processing concerns? Our DC seems to be at the top of the class, but tiring of it -- in 6th grade - at a top private. The anxiety caused by demanded perfection in assignments (notes have to be taken a certain way, your writing has to fit the pattern of the assignment, etc.) combined with odd assignments - such as that a particular map they are coloring in must be colored certain colors - is just wearing. Is Field good for kids who simply want to be more engaged with creativity in learning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Field only for kids with learning issues or processing concerns? Our DC seems to be at the top of the class, but tiring of it -- in 6th grade - at a top private. The anxiety caused by demanded perfection in assignments (notes have to be taken a certain way, your writing has to fit the pattern of the assignment, etc.) combined with odd assignments - such as that a particular map they are coloring in must be colored certain colors - is just wearing. Is Field good for kids who simply want to be more engaged with creativity in learning?

Yes-lots of options for that type of learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Field only for kids with learning issues or processing concerns? Our DC seems to be at the top of the class, but tiring of it -- in 6th grade - at a top private. The anxiety caused by demanded perfection in assignments (notes have to be taken a certain way, your writing has to fit the pattern of the assignment, etc.) combined with odd assignments - such as that a particular map they are coloring in must be colored certain colors - is just wearing. Is Field good for kids who simply want to be more engaged with creativity in learning?

No, most kids at Field do not have learning differences. It is a fully mainstream, progressive school that is supportive of some kids with minor learning differences. Being supportive is not the same thing as providing supports, so it really depends on what the kid needs. My very academic DD who has no learning challenges is happy there.

[Anonymous]

PP, that may be true (that your very academic daughter is thriving) but it is not true that most children there do not have learning differences. When we toured we were told that 30% of the class has a diagnosed learning difference. So, it may not be most but it is certainly many. However, I would also add that other people's learning differences should not be affecting your child experience and it is a great place.