Recommendations for an inclusive, typical private school for special needs child

[Anonymous]

Maddux is NOT mainstream. It's far far from the mainstream. It has 12-14 kids in a class with 2-4 teachers at a time depending on what is going on. The classes are highly structured (they don't look like a typical elem school). There are not typical kids in the classes. i think the poster was trying to get a sense of what is out there. No harm done. There are many programs and all kids are different and so are the families. Maddux is very expensive so are many private schools. Maddux does not offer financial aide which can be a hardship. Maddux uses a general ed curriculum and I believe they are certified as an early childhood center. They don't need to deal with IEP's (they don't accept them and they don't work with them). The staff will help families who transition to the public school draft one but that's as involved as it gets. Maddux is not for every child or every family. Some families have gone there and left after a year. All places have their issues. Are there private schools that can serve students with special needs those without? Are there small private schools that have worked well for some children with special needs? Maybe not. But I think this is all the OP wanted to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul vi

For Kindergarten?

The age was not posted until after this post.

SN parents play ahead ... way ahead sometimes so still relevant.

Your post was dated 8/21, the OP indicated it was kindergarten on 8/19.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Paul vi

For Kindergarten?

The age was not posted until after this post.

SN parents play ahead ... way ahead sometimes so still relevant.

Your post was dated 8/21, the OP indicated it was kindergarten on 8/19.

Okay, you win the anal retentive prize...sheesh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maddux is NOT mainstream. It's far far from the mainstream. It has 12-14 kids in a class with 2-4 teachers at a time depending on what is going on. The classes are highly structured (they don't look like a typical elem school). There are not typical kids in the classes. i think the poster was trying to get a sense of what is out there. No harm done. There are many programs and all kids are different and so are the families. Maddux is very expensive so are many private schools. Maddux does not offer financial aide which can be a hardship. Maddux uses a general ed curriculum and I believe they are certified as an early childhood center. They don't need to deal with IEP's (they don't accept them and they don't work with them). The staff will help families who transition to the public school draft one but that's as involved as it gets. Maddux is not for every child or every family. Some families have gone there and left after a year. All places have their issues. Are there private schools that can serve students with special needs those without? Are there small private schools that have worked well for some children with special needs? Maybe not. But I think this is all the OP wanted to know.

OP here...thank you for this post! I want strangers' opinions for a reason. Isn't that why this forum exists??!

Of course I am not going to base my decision on a stranger's opinion, but it is useful to know what other people's experiences have been at different schools. That way, I can find out about schools I otherwise might not have heard about.

Special needs parents need to be supportive and stick together. No one gets it, except us! Thanks to those posters who offered help.

[Anonymous]

Why the push to mainstream?

OP here, we only are evaluating options. We are not sold on mainstream. My son has an older brother with SN, and we would like him to be with typical kids since he doesn't get that at home.

[Anonymous]

This is the poster who suggested a shadow. I made this suggestion because there are no mainstream schools with 5-1 or 6-1 ratios as OP wants. Even if you found that in K when you count the teacher's assistant, that will phase out shortly and you will have a larger ratio. We used a shadow in a typical pre-k and it was very successful. I have first hand knowledge of another family that was allowed to use a shadow at a private independent in DC. That child did not come in with the shadow, but when it became clear he needed one, the school allowed the parents to pay. The shadow becomes another assistant teacher as far as other kids are concerned, but is really there to support one kid by lowering the ratio for everyone.

[Anonymous]

What about Harbour school in Bethesda? They have12-14 kids in a class with 2 teachers and provide shadows (for a cost) if one is needed.

[Anonymous]

FWIW -- our DC had needs that sound similar to what OP describes. We opted for Katherine Thomas School for k-1, then switched to mainstream private with no extra supports for 2d grade. Although there were some kids at KTS with more severe speech / LDneeds, some of those same kids were not only socially typical but even socially gifted so to speak. You can also get some further typical kid support from outside activities at that age (religious school, sports, art programs, whatever the interest). Academically, our DC entered 2d grade at or above many of the kids who had been mainstreamed throughout -- the small classes and attention at that level worked.

[Anonymous]

I think you also need to consider how stressful it is for your child with anxiety to have to change schools at a less common entry point.

It is one thing to enter a new school when all or most of the kids are new and struggling to make friends. It is another thing to do it at 2nd or 3rd when friendships are already made.

I know lots of people here change schools for the kids at what seems like the drop of a hat. As an adult, the single worst moment of my childhood was changing schools in 5th grade. But I'm an over the top introvert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you also need to consider how stressful it is for your child with anxiety to have to change schools at a less common entry point.

It is one thing to enter a new school when all or most of the kids are new and struggling to make friends. It is another thing to do it at 2nd or 3rd when friendships are already made.

I know lots of people here change schools for the kids at what seems like the drop of a hat. As an adult, the single worst moment of my childhood was changing schools in 5th grade. But I'm an over the top introvert.

I agree that for kids with SN its usually best for them to start a school when others are starting a school. But, its also important to be flexible. My DD switched schools at an unusual point because she was so unhappy at her old school and it was the best decision we made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW -- our DC had needs that sound similar to what OP describes. We opted for Katherine Thomas School for k-1, then switched to mainstream private with no extra supports for 2d grade. Although there were some kids at KTS with more severe speech / LDneeds, some of those same kids were not only socially typical but even socially gifted so to speak. You can also get some further typical kid support from outside activities at that age (religious school, sports, art programs, whatever the interest). Academically, our DC entered 2d grade at or above many of the kids who had been mainstreamed throughout -- the small classes and attention at that level worked.

Could you share what mainstream private you went to? In a year or two, we too will be looking for a mainstream school that at the least is open to/understands kids with a history of social difficulties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you also need to consider how stressful it is for your child with anxiety to have to change schools at a less common entry point.

It is one thing to enter a new school when all or most of the kids are new and struggling to make friends. It is another thing to do it at 2nd or 3rd when friendships are already made.

I know lots of people here change schools for the kids at what seems like the drop of a hat. As an adult, the single worst moment of my childhood was changing schools in 5th grade. But I'm an over the top introvert.

I agree that for kids with SN its usually best for them to start a school when others are starting a school. But, its also important to be flexible. My DD switched schools at an unusual point because she was so unhappy at her old school and it was the best decision we made.

We made a switch in late Oct. for the same reason. Best decision as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the poster who suggested a shadow. I made this suggestion because there are no mainstream schools with 5-1 or 6-1 ratios as OP wants. Even if you found that in K when you count the teacher's assistant, that will phase out shortly and you will have a larger ratio. We used a shadow in a typical pre-k and it was very successful. I have first hand knowledge of another family that was allowed to use a shadow at a private independent in DC. That child did not come in with the shadow, but when it became clear he needed one, the school allowed the parents to pay. The shadow becomes another assistant teacher as far as other kids are concerned, but is really there to support one kid by lowering the ratio for everyone.

OP here...thanks for your suggestion. We used a shadow for my older son in preschool and it was a big waste of money. I completely understand why some people opt for a shadow. If your child is ready for the environment, and you find a great shadow and can afford it, that sometimes works.

At $30K per year, the cost would more than double with a shadow.

I really appreciate the suggestion, though!

[Anonymous]

Also, I hear you about the ratio. There are a few schools who have a 6:1 ratio, which probably would work for my son, but if the environment isn't going to be right then we probably will wait a few years for a typical environment.

Thanks again to everyone for all the suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Harbour school in Bethesda? They have12-14 kids in a class with 2 teachers and provide shadows (for a cost) if one is needed.

OP here, thanks! I actually know someone who is there and they have been very happy.