St. John's Benilde Program

[Anonymous]

I posted an inquiry on the Private/Independent School forum almost 2 years ago and again recently and got no responses and am hoping someone on the SN forum might have some feedback to share. I have pasted my orinigal message below. Thanks so much.

I am seeking feedback from current or recent families whose children are in or successfully completed the program and gone onto college. My DS, who has ADHD with some executive functioning issues, is currently in middle school and we are interested in applying to the program in a couple of years. How difficult is it to get accepted into the program? Does it offer adequate support or support consistent with what is represented on the website? Any feedback would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

I can only offer our experience with admissions and with a friends's son who graduated last year. It does offer support and modification of work, but the student still has to fit into what is a very structured program. Think of it more along the lines of accommodation, so if your child needs special instruction, this will not happen. They are looking for kids who can master and adapt to the school environment and eventually not need the program. In other words, two years of support and then you are on your own essentially. If you need support all 4 years, you'll get it.

This was very tough on friend's son who really struggled with a science class in senior year and nearly failed it.

In our case, we had a very positive interview and DH was a graduate, so we were surprised when DC was waitlisted and then turned down. The program has a finite number of students - about 45, so they cap the program. Freshman acceptances are contingent on the number of applicants already in the program and how many they can add. Thus, the program is very competitive.

If you are interested in Catholic High Schools, there is a schools open house for special needs held each spring by the Archdiocese. DC nearly went to Archbishop Carroll, but we decided to go public. They have a small spec ed program, but they don't advertise it the way St. John's does.

[Anonymous]

Palotti and Good Counsel also have programs. We looked into St. John but the level of support was not enough. DS also needed a less traditional environment both educationally and socially. We ended up at Siena which we love. My understanding is that all the Catholuc SN programs need girls, so with a boy it is harder to get in. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Any information about what they are looking for in tests results? My DS WISC tend to be all over the map. Superior in some and low average in others. What about HSPT results?

[Anonymous]

Several years ago when we looked at St. John's we were told the HSPT scores were typically between the 25th and 75th percentile. The child needs a diagnosed learning difference, so I think it would not so much be specific WISC scores as the diagnosis you were given. Did you go to the open house? Is Mrs. O'Toole still there? We were very impressed with her, but the program did not provide enough support for us. It really is a fairly low level of support and the child needs to fit into the St. John's environment.

[Anonymous]

She is still there and his HSPT is right in there. Can you tell me more about the support your DC needed and they didn't provide? How long did you stay? Was the summer class beneficial in easing the load?