Current McLean School and Siena school parents

[Anonymous]

I would like to hear from current parents at either of these schools what they (and their kids) like and don't like about them. Our DC has a mild language-based learning disability but her reading and math are above grade level. We are especially interested in 4th, 5th and 6th grades, but I would love to hear from any current parents at all. Thank you very much.

[Anonymous]

You might be better off doing a search of the schools on this forum. There has been a lot of discussion over the years about these schools and others.

[Anonymous]

Former McLean parent here. She/he is absolutely right asking for current parents. There has basically been complete turnover in the administration at McLean so op needs to find out how parents like the new administration. The prior posts are irrelevant at this point. The only thing I will point out is that 4th grade is/was part of the lower school at McLean and that 5th and 6th are part of the middle school. When my dc was there (in the lower school), I had absolutely no knowledge of how the middle school worked b/c they were basically completely separate.

[Anonymous]

My dc is in 6th grade at McLean and loves it - we are very happy with the teachers and the administration. My DC has some mild LD with reading and is blossoming @ McLean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former McLean parent here. She/he is absolutely right asking for current parents. There has basically been complete turnover in the administration at McLean so op needs to find out how parents like the new administration. The prior posts are irrelevant at this point. The only thing I will point out is that 4th grade is/was part of the lower school at McLean and that 5th and 6th are part of the middle school. When my dc was there (in the lower school), I had absolutely no knowledge of how the middle school worked b/c they were basically completely separate.

Thanks, PP. Yes, this is why I am asking to hear from current parents. Schools can and do change very rapidly, especially with wholesale administration turnover, so it seems important to hear from current parents. Thank you for understanding.

I have read every thread about these schools that I could find, and sometimes it seems like people are talking about completely different institutions. Most DCUMs seem to make a real effort to present a balanced picture of their experience at a school, and while we will speak with current parents in real life, I also think DCUM adds some value for those of us trying to make decisions. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dc is in 6th grade at McLean and loves it - we are very happy with the teachers and the administration. My DC has some mild LD with reading and is blossoming @ McLean

Thank you very much. Our child also has a mild language-based LD, so this is very helpful. When did your DC start at McLean? Ours is not unhappy at our current school, but they have so little information on how to work with LDs that it feels like we are constantly swimming upstream there. I think I was overly sanguine about the current school's ability to understand and accommodate.

I would love to hear more from you if you're comfortable sharing. It's hard to see a really bright kid struggling with self-confidence because of a mild LD. I worry that if we don't make a change, DC will just get by in elementary school and then be completely overwhelmed in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Current McLean parent but not the PP whose DC is in 6th grade. My DC is in 5th grade and started this year. So far it is working out well. DC has ADHD and executive functioning issues. Each student is given a student learning profile, which is modified as needed during the school year. It is almost identical to a 504 Plan, which is what my DC had in public school. I am not familiar with an IEP so do not know how comparable the student learning profile is to it. The teachers work as a team and meet each week to discuss students and determine if more support is needed or if the student needs to be challenged more. The work groups within each subject are pretty fluid, particularly in Math. Some kids are at grade level and some are advanced. There is also support for kids who are slightly below. No student feels different or like they have special needs. They teach to the childs different learning style and there is individualized instruction if and when needed. My DC could not get this in a public school setting because of the class sizes and the contstrants teachers are under due the mandated standardized testing schedule. Even if the teacher wanted to spend more time teaching a particular concept, they can't because of the standardized testing, which gives them a specific amount of time to spend on each unit. So far, my DC really likes McLean and looks forwad to going to school each day. I am very pleased with my decision. I am not looking for perfection. I am looking for them to reach my child and for my child to learn and enjoy learning. I believe that is being accomplished.

[Anonymous]

12:13, thank you. This is super helpful. Our DC doesn't have executive functioning issues that show up on clinical scales, but there are definitely some sub-clinical deficits that affect organization, planning and executing tasks and homework, etc. Is the environment at McLean organized in a way that helps teach these skills? It sounds like your child is having a really good experience.

[Anonymous]

12:13 PP. Yes, the staff help my DC stay organized by keeping his work in color coded folders for subjects and homework. They have him check his notebook at the end of the day to make sure he has his homework assignments. He still loses things from time to time but they seem diligent in working with him. He also goes to an afterschool program where he gets all his homework done so that when he gets home, he can relax and I don't have to hound him to do his homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:13 PP. Yes, the staff help my DC stay organized by keeping his work in color coded folders for subjects and homework. They have him check his notebook at the end of the day to make sure he has his homework assignments. He still loses things from time to time but they seem diligent in working with him. He also goes to an afterschool program where he gets all his homework done so that when he gets home, he can relax and I don't have to hound him to do his homework.

Thank you. This sounds great, really.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Current McLean parent. I have not heard any negative feedback on the new head. And, I actually prefer someone with a business and finance background running a school because there is a lot of fundraising and fiscal management and stewardship involved. I don't care about not having teaching experience. He was at Sidwell for about 15 years a assistant head and CFO. so, if he was able to survive there for then I'm sure he will do well at McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current McLean parent. I have not heard any negative feedback on the new head. And, I actually prefer someone with a business and finance background running a school because there is a lot of fundraising and fiscal management and stewardship involved. I don't care about not having teaching experience. He was at Sidwell for about 15 years a assistant head and CFO. so, if he was able to survive there for then I'm sure he will do well at McLean.

This is my thought as well (I'm the OP). A Head of School is chief cheerleader, steward and manager, and someone who's strong in those areas with strong division directors could be an ideal match. The new lower school head seems very qualified, certainly. Thanks for your response.

[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.

Thanks, PP. It sure sounded off-putting for us ordinary folk!