How is WIS for kids with ADHD and/or other mild LDs?

[Anonymous]

DC is bright but struggles with dyslexia and ADD (inattentive). He gets B+s in school, but French is one of his weber subjects. Would WIS be a poor choice for a kid like this? He likes French and it is very important to his father that he learn French well, but I am worried that a school with such a heavy language focus would be tough to enter in high school for a kid who is not super strong in languages.

[Anonymous]

Weaker, not "weber"! Sorry, autocorrect.

[Anonymous]

Depends on what grade your child is entering.

[Anonymous]

Would be entering 9th.

[Anonymous]

I would not send a challenged learner to WIS in G9. It will be difficult, and the IB years in 11 and 12 are very challenging to the most gifted of students.

[Anonymous]

WIS parent here - my DC graduated from WIS a few years ago after being at the school as a "lifer" (started in PK). My DC was diagnosed with ADHD during middle school and succeeded fine, with a few minor accommodations, through graduation. The school worked with the recommendations from the doctor who did the testing and it all worked fine. Don't get me wrong, though, it was difficult - especially during the IB years in 11th & 12th grade. However, what would give me pause is the dyslexia diagnosis that you indicate your child has been given. WIS, and the IB program, are very language intensive. There is quite a bit of reading and writing and a high expectation of critical thinking and analysis in both English and French. I know other local schools have very high expectations for writing in English, but WIS will also have the expectation for French. If your child has dyslexia this could make it really tough. There definitely have been kids with dyslexia that have succeeded with the program (my DC's friend was one), but it may not be the easiest road to take.

At the same time, I believe a child coming into 9th grade will be put into the beginning French class. If your child has already had French then he will be ahead of the game. The first year (or 2) will probably be fine, but when he gets to 11th grade for the IB Diploma then it might be different. Definitely worth talking to the admissions office.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I have a junior at WIS. It's extremely demanding and tough on the kids. I'm not sure there is adequate support for students with special needs. I will not send a child with learning problems here.

[Anonymous]

This is a school that requires IQ tests of 4-year-olds as part of the enrollment process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a school that requires IQ tests of 4-year-olds as part of the enrollment process.

Most private schools require an IQ test for entrance in prek, k, etc. WIPPSI or WISC depending on age. You realize a kid with ADHD can have a high IQ?

[Anonymous]

I can't think of any bigger of an obstacle to put in a kids path with ADHD, than putting them in a foreign language emersion class when that language is their weakest point academically. Your child has trouble focussing as it is and this would be an environment where not only can they not focus, but they also can't even understand what is being said.

a blind fold mind be less challenging

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't think of any bigger of an obstacle to put in a kids path with ADHD, than putting them in a foreign language emersion class when that language is their weakest point academically. Your child has trouble focussing as it is and this would be an environment where not only can they not focus, but they also can't even understand what is being said.

a blind fold mind be less challenging

I thought WIS wasn't immersion for HS.

[Anonymous]

WIS is not a good place to send an academically challenged kid no matter how innately smart they are. They don't coddle, they will ex-mission you. Unless you have a lot of $$ to contribute to their capital campaign. In that case you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a school that requires IQ tests of 4-year-olds as part of the enrollment process.

Most private schools require an IQ test for entrance in prek, k, etc. WIPPSI or WISC depending on age. You realize a kid with ADHD can have a high IQ?

My point is that if they discriminate in school admissions on the basis of IQ (how that is still legal, I don't know), they are not likely to accommodate any sort of learning disability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a school that requires IQ tests of 4-year-olds as part of the enrollment process.

Most private schools require an IQ test for entrance in prek, k, etc. WIPPSI or WISC depending on age. You realize a kid with ADHD can have a high IQ?

My point is that if they discriminate in school admissions on the basis of IQ (how that is still legal, I don't know), they are not likely to accommodate any sort of learning disability.

You just don't get it, you can try to fight your way into this school or that school, but if your kid can't do the work, they will lose educational years. And why? Because YOU were not realistic about your kid's abilities. Meanwhile, your kid will never have those years back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You just don't get it, you can try to fight your way into this school or that school, but if your kid can't do the work, they will lose educational years. And why? Because YOU were not realistic about your kid's abilities.

Spoken like the kind of person who would administer an IQ test to a toddler.

Anonymous wrote:Meanwhile, your kid will never have those years back.

And with not an ounce of self-awareness. Maybe your Baby Einstein can explain to you the irony in the quote above.