Current McLean School and Siena school parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're right 10:19: That's unfortunate, if true, that OP doesn't want to hear anything bad, but I've been there. You think you've found the answer to your frustrating problems and want to give up the exhausting hunt.

and to 7:40 - No, .30, 2.14 and 3.17 are not the same person. 2:14 is agreeing with me at .30 and unlike the McLean Meanie moms, I don't get together with other moms to decide whom "to shoot down" so I don't know who it is. And as for typing at "night", ever hear of time-change? travel? Women professionals getting on planes and flying to Shangai to do business and get bored in a meeting so do some work on their lap tops?

Seriously, OP, have you exhausted the search? McLean is having problems filling seats. That, alone, makes me uncomfortable. Have you looked at St. Andrews, Bullis, Flinthill, Burke and Field, and exhausted what your public has to offer? McLean is very expensive. Every single thing is an add-on expense, like the bus.

Field and Burke start too late for OP.

McLean is not more expensive then at least the schools on the list I'm familiar with. McLean has more supports than these other schools, though they are more supportive than other schools. These are fully mainstream schools while McLean is a bit of a hybrid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're right 10:19: That's unfortunate, if true, that OP doesn't want to hear anything bad, but I've been there. You think you've found the answer to your frustrating problems and want to give up the exhausting hunt.

and to 7:40 - No, .30, 2.14 and 3.17 are not the same person. 2:14 is agreeing with me at .30 and unlike the McLean Meanie moms, I don't get together with other moms to decide whom "to shoot down" so I don't know who it is. And as for typing at "night", ever hear of time-change? travel? Women professionals getting on planes and flying to Shangai to do business and get bored in a meeting so do some work on their lap tops?

Seriously, OP, have you exhausted the search? McLean is having problems filling seats. That, alone, makes me uncomfortable. Have you looked at St. Andrews, Bullis, Flinthill, Burke and Field, and exhausted what your public has to offer? McLean is very expensive. Every single thing is an add-on expense, like the bus.

Current McLean parent here. This is the first time I am responding in this thread. Just to clarify about the bus. It is an add on expense for all stops other than the four located closest to the school (and a couple of those are ONLY for AM or PM). I know that a number of parents who live further out drive to these particular bus stops so as not to pay the add on fee (or for whatever other reason, but I do know that there are some who do this).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're right 10:19: That's unfortunate, if true, that OP doesn't want to hear anything bad, but I've been there. You think you've found the answer to your frustrating problems and want to give up the exhausting hunt.

and to 7:40 - No, .30, 2.14 and 3.17 are not the same person. 2:14 is agreeing with me at .30 and unlike the McLean Meanie moms, I don't get together with other moms to decide whom "to shoot down" so I don't know who it is. And as for typing at "night", ever hear of time-change? travel? Women professionals getting on planes and flying to Shangai to do business and get bored in a meeting so do some work on their lap tops?

Seriously, OP, have you exhausted the search? McLean is having problems filling seats. That, alone, makes me uncomfortable. Have you looked at St. Andrews, Bullis, Flinthill, Burke and Field, and exhausted what your public has to offer? McLean is very expensive. Every single thing is an add-on expense, like the bus.

Folks, I'd be happy to hear from any current parents who are unhappy at either McLean or Siena. To be honest, though, complaints about the middle school or high school 4 years ago or longer are not relevant to us.

We are looking for elementary school, probably for one year.

Burke and Field are not options for elementary school and are therefore not relevant to us right now.

The cost of the bus is not relevant to us. The cost of OT services or psychotherapy are not relevant.

Bullis and St. Andrew's are good options for middle school and high school but do not differ greatly from our current school at the elementary level and would therefore not be worth changing schools now.

Flint Hill is not an option.

Our public is not an option because DC doesn't qualify for an IEP. Related services through a 504 plan are not helpful.

Our child does not have ADD or ADHD so schools for that population are not relevant.

We are not at all unhappy with our child's current school and we are not exhausted from a school search. I know how rapidly things change at independent schools, especially when there is major administrative turnover, so I do think it is most relevant to focus on current experiences at any school. I am most impressed with the Lab School but I think it is hard to get in there.

[Anonymous]

The Lab School's tuition is $37,500 (limited financial aid, if at all) and it is not particularly difficult to get into if your DC meets the profile, which they outline during an open house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Really? Orchestrated? DO you compare notes? No one has ever told you that the Special Needs thread is supposed to be helpful and kind? Do you mothers routinely get together, have coffee and decide whom to "shoot down"? And, BTW, I was the Lamborghini poster which I saw at a car wash. You, as a collective, did not "shut me down". And I did not "admit 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've never heard of truck day (?) at the McLean School. I never saw "truck day" (why would a Lamborghini be at "truck day" anyhow? Methinks you are making this up). The gull wing lamborghini is there every year at the car wash. I am truly sorry you feel so defensive about the expense of the school and the money, but when an OP is exploring schools for a SN child and I can help, I will. OP, go tour the school; view the cars in the parking lot on a parents' day event; and ask for a current catalogue and check how many mommies and daddies have different addresses and phone numbers. And as for the bar mitzvahs, yes, it is unfortunate they all fall in one year so every single Saturday is booked and then jr. is wrecked for church the next day. We even got "save the date" cards 8 months in advance for one. It's also very uncomfortable to be driving jr. to a bar mitzvah and attending (not driving yet) and then for the huge hotel event in the evening when both the mother and father of the bar mitzvah kid is fighting. One mom even asked me to start setting her up.

But that's not why we left. WE left because of too much homework and uncoordinated projects and exams (all on the same day) and teachers that seemed to have forgotten they were teaching in a special needs school. Our kid was too stressed. OP, check out your public with an IEP - MUCH better move.

PP, I have read your postings on previous threads. I think you are the one who moved her kids to Commonwealth Academy. My question to you is why, if you are happy where you are and left McLean four years ago, you are still so bitter about your child's experience at the school? And, why do you keep coming back rehashing the same old information? You really need to move on. It's so boring...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're right 10:19: That's unfortunate, if true, that OP doesn't want to hear anything bad, but I've been there. You think you've found the answer to your frustrating problems and want to give up the exhausting hunt.

and to 7:40 - No, .30, 2.14 and 3.17 are not the same person. 2:14 is agreeing with me at .30 and unlike the McLean Meanie moms, I don't get together with other moms to decide whom "to shoot down" so I don't know who it is. And as for typing at "night", ever hear of time-change? travel? Women professionals getting on planes and flying to Shangai to do business and get bored in a meeting so do some work on their lap tops?

Seriously, OP, have you exhausted the search? McLean is having problems filling seats. That, alone, makes me uncomfortable. Have you looked at St. Andrews, Bullis, Flinthill, Burke and Field, and exhausted what your public has to offer? McLean is very expensive. Every single thing is an add-on expense, like the bus.

Folks, I'd be happy to hear from any current parents who are unhappy at either McLean or Siena. To be honest, though, complaints about the middle school or high school 4 years ago or longer are not relevant to us.

We are looking for elementary school, probably for one year.

Burke and Field are not options for elementary school and are therefore not relevant to us right now.

The cost of the bus is not relevant to us. The cost of OT services or psychotherapy are not relevant.

Bullis and St. Andrew's are good options for middle school and high school but do not differ greatly from our current school at the elementary level and would therefore not be worth changing schools now.

Flint Hill is not an option.

Our public is not an option because DC doesn't qualify for an IEP. Related services through a 504 plan are not helpful.

Our child does not have ADD or ADHD so schools for that population are not relevant.

We are not at all unhappy with our child's current school and we are not exhausted from a school search. I know how rapidly things change at independent schools, especially when there is major administrative turnover, so I do think it is most relevant to focus on current experiences at any school. I am most impressed with the Lab School but I think it is hard to get in there.

Moving a kid for one year is very disruptive. It can take kids that long just to adjust to a new situation, make friends etc.

You say your child doesn't need OT, doesn't have ADD or ADHD.

What exactly do you think private will accomplish in one year?

If it is organizational or some help with processing, you may be better off with tutoring,.

We did this when we moved from private to public. It was really effective and a whole lot cheaper than private school tuition.

using a tutor 2x per week at $100 a time is 200 a week or 800 a month. In 10 months that is $8,000.

This allows the social piece to continue.

[Anonymous]

http://www.mcleanschool.org/admission/79/

tuition for 1-4 $30,000 with about another $1,000 in fees.

Siena is around $33,000

http://www.thesienaschool.org/admissions.cfm?subpage=247460

Siena does not start till 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Really? Orchestrated? DO you compare notes? No one has ever told you that the Special Needs thread is supposed to be helpful and kind? Do you mothers routinely get together, have coffee and decide whom to "shoot down"? And, BTW, I was the Lamborghini poster which I saw at a car wash. You, as a collective, did not "shut me down". And I did not "admit 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've never heard of truck day (?) at the McLean School. I never saw "truck day" (why would a Lamborghini be at "truck day" anyhow? Methinks you are making this up). The gull wing lamborghini is there every year at the car wash. I am truly sorry you feel so defensive about the expense of the school and the money, but when an OP is exploring schools for a SN child and I can help, I will. OP, go tour the school; view the cars in the parking lot on a parents' day event; and ask for a current catalogue and check how many mommies and daddies have different addresses and phone numbers. And as for the bar mitzvahs, yes, it is unfortunate they all fall in one year so every single Saturday is booked and then jr. is wrecked for church the next day. We even got "save the date" cards 8 months in advance for one. It's also very uncomfortable to be driving jr. to a bar mitzvah and attending (not driving yet) and then for the huge hotel event in the evening when both the mother and father of the bar mitzvah kid is fighting. One mom even asked me to start setting her up.

But that's not why we left. WE left because of too much homework and uncoordinated projects and exams (all on the same day) and teachers that seemed to have forgotten they were teaching in a special needs school. Our kid was too stressed. OP, check out your public with an IEP - MUCH better move.

PP, I have read your postings on previous threads. I think you are the one who moved her kids to Commonwealth Academy. My question to you is why, if you are happy where you are and left McLean four years ago, you are still so bitter about your child's experience at the school? And, why do you keep coming back rehashing the same old information? You really need to move on. It's so boring...

No, it says public with an IEP. Seriously, the SPecial Needs thread is supposed to be kind and helpful. Pleast stop with the McLean Meany Mom stuff. Help the OP.

[Anonymous]

OP - what grade level in elementary? Why only one year? If you can't qualify for an IEP in public, I doubt your problems would warrant the LAB program, but could be wrong. What has the msot recent testing diagnosed?

[Anonymous]

To OP - if you are thinking of only one year, have you considered remaining where you are and doing extensive tutoring? We are the ones that left McLean, went to FCPS, and poured the money that we would have spent at McLean (well, much less, really, but a lot) into extensive tutoring at an off-site tutoring center. It worked very well. DC was mainstreamed from middle school all through high school but the tutors kept her organized and on-task. For us it worked and DC is now in college. ADHD/Anxiety/Executive function.

[Anonymous]

How does the Bullis School compare? What makes it a good choice?

[Anonymous]

OP, what is the mild LD? No ADHD, don't need OT, above grade level in reading and math, won't qualify for an IEP in public school, and only want to be at private school for a year?

Please tell us what you issue you think the school will help/resolve in one year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're right 10:19: That's unfortunate, if true, that OP doesn't want to hear anything bad, but I've been there. You think you've found the answer to your frustrating problems and want to give up the exhausting hunt.

and to 7:40 - No, .30, 2.14 and 3.17 are not the same person. 2:14 is agreeing with me at .30 and unlike the McLean Meanie moms, I don't get together with other moms to decide whom "to shoot down" so I don't know who it is. And as for typing at "night", ever hear of time-change? travel? Women professionals getting on planes and flying to Shangai to do business and get bored in a meeting so do some work on their lap tops?

Seriously, OP, have you exhausted the search? McLean is having problems filling seats. That, alone, makes me uncomfortable. Have you looked at St. Andrews, Bullis, Flinthill, Burke and Field, and exhausted what your public has to offer? McLean is very expensive. Every single thing is an add-on expense, like the bus.

Folks, I'd be happy to hear from any current parents who are unhappy at either McLean or Siena. To be honest, though, complaints about the middle school or high school 4 years ago or longer are not relevant to us.

We are looking for elementary school, probably for one year.

Burke and Field are not options for elementary school and are therefore not relevant to us right now.

The cost of the bus is not relevant to us. The cost of OT services or psychotherapy are not relevant.

Bullis and St. Andrew's are good options for middle school and high school but do not differ greatly from our current school at the elementary level and would therefore not be worth changing schools now.

Flint Hill is not an option.

Our public is not an option because DC doesn't qualify for an IEP. Related services through a 504 plan are not helpful.

Our child does not have ADD or ADHD so schools for that population are not relevant.

We are not at all unhappy with our child's current school and we are not exhausted from a school search. I know how rapidly things change at independent schools, especially when there is major administrative turnover, so I do think it is most relevant to focus on current experiences at any school. I am most impressed with the Lab School but I think it is hard to get in there.

Moving a kid for one year is very disruptive. It can take kids that long just to adjust to a new situation, make friends etc.

You say your child doesn't need OT, doesn't have ADD or ADHD.

What exactly do you think private will accomplish in one year?

If it is organizational or some help with processing, you may be better off with tutoring,.

We did this when we moved from private to public. It was really effective and a whole lot cheaper than private school tuition.

using a tutor 2x per week at $100 a time is 200 a week or 800 a month. In 10 months that is $8,000.

This allows the social piece to continue.

This is a great idea but DC is already in private school so we already pay tuition. We tried tutoring last year and it was costly both financially and in terms of time. It was paying for that on top of tuition that made us consider other schools. I think you're right that it won't be for one year, but for at least two and perhaps more. We would like to have DC somewhere that supports are built in so outside tutoring is minimal, if necessary at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Lab School's tuition is $37,500 (limited financial aid, if at all) and it is not particularly difficult to get into if your DC meets the profile, which they outline during an open house.

Thanks, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does the Bullis School compare? What makes it a good choice?

Bullis has a special academic center that offers support. Here's a link:

http://www.bullis.org/academics/academic-center/index.aspx

We understand that it's for the upper school. I think Good Counsel also has a high school program for students with learning challenges.