GDS, Green Acres, Lowell, Maret -- which is most academically diverse

[Anonymous]

Whether first or second-hand knowledge - which of these schools is academically diverse? Where would an "average" kid fit in best? What if the child had a mild learning disability or something like dyslexia? Which school would support the child and family best? And if they are supportive are they supportive out of a genuine desire to see the child succeed or because they have to because the child is already there? Would any of these schools ask the family to leave?

[Anonymous]

Interested in hearing feedback on this topic too. Any parents out there with kids at these schools?

[Anonymous]

Well, you have not listed the schools that I have heard asking students to leave (Sidwell and Norwood). I have heard of a family being asked to leave Green Acres, b/c of behavioral problems (aggressive bullying). Now I do know of a family that tried to get into Green Acres, but were told that they probably could not satisfy that child's academic needs.
I am curious, do you know that your child has these problems? Are you hoping to go under radar for admission, then tell them later?

[Anonymous]

Let me try to address your question. My kids go to Lowell, so that is the school I am most familiar with. Because the school focuses heavily on individual evaluation and allows for significant individualization of assignments I would think that it would be good for a broad range of abilities. An "average" kid (not sure exactly what you mean by that) can do great because the school and teachers would look at both the stronger and weaker areas and try to improve them both. And because there are not traditional "tests" and "grades" that child does not get the message that they are doing poorly (I put this in quotes because they in fact do take quizzes and have them marked and the parents do get written evaluations that are effectively grades). For kids with significant learning disabilities, my sense is that if the child is falling behind/not progressing well as a result in the upper grades, the school will work with the parents to assess whether there is a better placement for the child. I think this is true for all the schools you list and know of folks who have transferred from those schools to, for example, the Lab School, because of those sorts of issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious, do you know that your child has these problems? Are you hoping to go under radar for admission, then tell them later?

No, I'm just fascinated with the discussions on this forum. My child is not ready, but I think I would look into the school listed above. Private school is such an investment of time and money and there are some problems that can surface like reading or math problems after a child is already admitted to a school. It would be nice to know that the school will stick with you for the long haul. It's similar to picking a spouse I guess. Will they love you in sickness (here a learning or behavioral problem) and in health. Also, I have no idea where my child will be academically. Maybe chemistry will be hard. Who knows. But for all that money wouldn't you want to know they will stick with you?

[Anonymous]

Agree with you OP, that is why this thing seems to be so insane.
I know of one child (9th grade) who suffered after her mother died. She stopped doing homework and studying and her grades dropped. The school kicked her out. That was a Catholic School too. Just didn't seem like the Christian thing to do.
Any how, back to your original point. Maybe you could call each school (*67 first to block your phone #) and ask.