McLean School of Maryland

[Anonymous]

What impressed me most about McLean was the emphasis on helping all kids access the curriculum in the ways that are most effective for them.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree. And, you will not get that in all school environments.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I have a middle school DS at McLean who LOVES it. In our experience, they don't tolerate bullying and the teaching is highly individualized. Its like there's nothing you can throw at these teachers that they can't handle. I suspect we'll be there for the duration.

They have been undersubscribed in some grades and the new head was chosen in part to turn that around. But they don't take anyone and I've met quite a few families whose kids were rejected, either because their needs were too great to be addressed by the school or because of behavior issues.

The smallness of the school is the biggest downside because it means they can't offer a great range of activities and sports. My DS is not an athlete so we don't care about that part, but it would be nice to have more clubs and activities. As for the level of challenge, I think this is something you have to assess for yourself. They do differentiate and my DS has been challenged. But it is definitely not as rigorous as some other schools.

[Anonymous]

PP, when you say "I've met quite a few families whose kids were rejected, either because their needs were too great", can you give an example of needs that are too great?

[Anonymous]

Not impressed with new head -- no teaching background, for one thing, and Sidwell is totally different in focus, funds, culture, from McLean. They don't have to hustle for applications or compete against a good public school system. He was the only finalist left standing, the last other candidate dropped out. Time will tell.

[Anonymous]

Do you need teaching experience to head a school? I would not find that in itself a disqualifier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, when you say "I've met quite a few families whose kids were rejected, either because their needs were too great", can you give an example of needs that are too great?

I'm not the pp who wrote that but it's true. I also know of at least two kids who were counseled out (I'm one of the pp former parents --fwiw, my kid wasn't counseled out, we just left). If you want an idea of who doesn't get in, go to the special needs board -- lots of anecdotes there.

[Anonymous]

McLean School is very fortunate to get someone like Mike Saxenien. You will find that he has the right leadership skills and experience in the areas where McLean needs improvement. I would not be surprised to see this school being discussed more frequently in this forum over the coming year.

Signed,

Not his mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean School is very fortunate to get someone like Mike Saxenien. You will find that he has the right leadership skills and experience in the areas where McLean needs improvement. I would not be surprised to see this school being discussed more frequently in this forum over the coming year.

Signed,

Not his mom.

Let's see -- he has never raised money; he's never been in admissions or helped recruit students; he's never overseen a facullty; he has not worked directly with students other than trying to teach an Econ class (and doing it poorly by most accounts). If McLean needs someone to sweet talk a board or "oversee" a bloated auxiliary program that barely breaks even before depreciation of assets is even considered, then he's loaded with talent.

[Anonymous]

I am sure he observed enough and learned a lot through his years as Sidwell. He's got three degrees from Stanford. Did the soon to be former head have all the experience in the world when she got the job? I doubt it. You seem bitter and disgruntled. The school probably needs new leadership and not everyone is going to be happy. I'm sure he knows this too.

[Anonymous]

Hey PP who said Saxenian has no experience to lead McLean. Have you looked at his LinkedIn profile? You'd probably think it was fabricated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey PP who said Saxenian has no experience to lead McLean. Have you looked at his LinkedIn profile? You'd probably think it was fabricated.

She said he had no teaching experience which is absent from that linked in profile.Did not see any experience related to managing teachers or curriculum.


Here's what the mclean school was looking for in experience:

http://www.brighamhill.com/detail.php?id=170

Experience

At least ten years of senior administrative experience, preferably in independent schools with an individualized approach to teaching and learning.

Experience as a classroom teacher and as an academic leader who has refined curriculum, incorporated innovative approaches to education into an existing program, and demonstrated a commitment to customizing education to meet a variety of learning styles and student needs.


A career that has included serving students with mild to moderate learning differences.

Ideally, a background that includes being an effective public advocate for an organization in order to increase community awareness of its mission and success and to generate financial and other support.

A history of leading and managing a department, division, or school through change.

A successful track record of hiring, mentoring, and evaluating high-performing and well-qualified faculty and staff members.

Background in budgeting, financial management, strategic planning, fundraising, and working effectively with trustees.

He has the budgeting and the public advocate experience but non of the other requirements.

[Anonymous]

You are not going to get 100% in any candidate. What planet are you living on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are not going to get 100% in any candidate. What planet are you living on?

I guess the teaching and curriculum part are just not all that important for leading a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean School is very fortunate to get someone like Mike Saxenien. You will find that he has the right leadership skills and experience in the areas where McLean needs improvement. I would not be surprised to see this school being discussed more frequently in this forum over the coming year.

Signed,

Not his mom.

Let's see -- he has never raised money; he's never been in admissions or helped recruit students; he's never overseen a facullty; he has not worked directly with students other than trying to teach an Econ class (and doing it poorly by most accounts). If McLean needs someone to sweet talk a board or "oversee" a bloated auxiliary program that barely breaks even before depreciation of assets is even considered, then he's loaded with talent.

He demonstrated some extraordinary things during the application process. I know several folks who were involved as well as several people who know him from other contexts and all say he is an amazing choice.

frankly, I know of several schools right now that are struggling with crappy heads. I'm a McLean parent and I'm excited about the new head and I think he'll be great.